Song of the Day 2/23: The Records, “Starry Eyes”
The Records were a British power-pop band of the late ’70s-early ’80s, one of the post-punk, skinny-tie, jangly-guitar outfits that carried the torch for rock ‘n’ roll against its deformed bastard child, disco.
They never broke through as a band except for “Starry Eyes,” released in 1978, and even that stalled out in the bottom reaches of the Billboard Hot 100. But that one song — the tale of how they fired their first manager — has become a power pop standard, included on virtually every power pop compilation ever sold.
Oddly enough, after the single was released the band started working on its first album with Mutt Lange, who had them re-record the song — and managed to lose all its energy, showing that it’s possible to kill a good song with over-production.
This is my first listening to it. “get me out of your starry eyes, and be on your way” Not knowing that it is about a manager, any pop music fan is going to assume it was about a girl, if only because almost all relationships songs are/were about romantic relationships.
So, it is interesting from a pop music genealogy perspective. This song comes out in 1976 and then in 1978 “Johnny Cougar” releases “I need a lover (that won’t drive me crazy)” which goes to #1 in Australia launching his career.
It is probably a safe bet the theme of “I need a lover” was informed by Starry Eyes.
The best era for power pop. Also, Paul Collins’ The Beat. Shoes. 20-20. Greg Kihn. Plimsouls. Rubinoos. Paley Brothers. Bram Tchaikovsky. Big Star and the Raspberries to kick it off.