Friday 3rd February

Squeeze were actually formed in 1974 but had to wait until 1979 for any sort of success.  That was the way of things back then; bands formed and spent a few years on the circuit, playing pubs and clubs and learning their craft, writing and rejecting songs until they found their niche and their fans and eventually a record contract and possibly hits.  Squeeze were basically Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook who wrote all the songs, Jools Holland played keyboards.  Over the years various drummers and bass players have joined and left.  Jools went off to present ‘The Tube’ on channel 4 and later ‘Later’ on the Beeb.  Paul Carrack sang vocals for a while – but it was really always Chris and Glenn, songwriters superb.  And they are still going, still writing songs and recording again.  At the height of their fame they were even compared to Lennon and McCartney.

And the songs they wrote were always very English, very individual and quite brilliant.  Their first hits were “Cool for Cats” and “Up The Junction”, sharp songs about London and young kids starting out in life – but always with a twist.  My favourites are “Goodbye Girl”, “Pulling Mussels From A shell” and the very sad “Labelled With love”.

I only have their greatest hits on CD nowadays but really must look out their earlier albums if I get a chance.  They remain one of the very best English bands of the Eighties and Nineties and always bring a smile to my face when I hear their songs.