The Damned “New Rose”
It’s impossible to do full justice in compiling an all-time top-10 Damned song list for the simple fact that the group recorded dozens of great tracks in its career. So by necessity some stellar tracks won’t be mentioned here (“Neat Neat Neat,” “Love Song” etc.) For context, I am approaching this from the vantage point of what I most like today as opposed to ten or twenty years ago, when the list would have leaned more on the first few records. Anyway, on with it…..“Is she really going out with him?” Thirty years on, the song often considered to be punk’s first single remains vital, fresh and exciting.
The Damned “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today”
The power leading up to and then the release of CAPTAIN SENSIBLE’s frenzied keyboard solo are breathtaking. (Sensible has been the band’s primary guitarist for most of its existence but he has also sung and played keyboards and bass.)
The Damned “Smash it Up (Pts. 1 & 2)”
Perhaps the band’s signature song—and for good reason. For anyone wanting an introduction to the group this is a great place to start because all of the group’s trademarks are present—musicianship, power, speed, stylistic diversity and excitement to burn. (On most CDs on which the song appears, the two are presented as a single track but not on iTunes where Parts 1 and 2 are sold separately. Hiss!!!)
The Damned “13th Floor Vendetta”
Although the goth label sometimes pops with the Damned, it isn’t overly represented in their music though it certainly exists. (Singer DAVE VANIAN’s image helps feed that idea). But on this 1980 track the group masterfully marries goth with psychedelia. Precise, delicate and warmly rendered sounds create a sense of darkness, mystery and foreboding. The resurrection of this song in live shows in recent years has been a success, too.
The Damned “Curtain Call”
A 17-minute masterpiece that is included on the remastered deluxe edition of the brilliant Black Album, which was recently re-released a quarter century after its inception. Vital.
The Damned “Limit Club”
An underappreciated non-LP track, this moving 1981 song is dedicated to RUTS’ lead singer MALCOLM OWENS who died of a heroin overdose a year earlier.
The Damned “Ignite”
RAT SCABIES’ insistent drums and Sensible’s driving guitars show the Damned spreading their musical wings while showing they haven’t lost any intensity. A superb album opener from the legendary Strawberries. (Songs 8 to 10 below are also from the album.)
The Damned “Stranger on the Town”
The Damned slow it down a pace and Vanian’s singing shines as well as it ever has. The horn heavy song also features a bridge whose climax will just melt your ears.
The Damned “Life Goes On”
Sensible who can alternate between serious and silly in his singing and song writing delivers one of his most moving and inspired moments.
The Damned “Under the Floor Again”
Vanian’s singing, Sensible’s guitar, PAUL GRAY’s bass, ROMAN JUGG’s keyboards and Scabies’ drumming gel perfectly on this song, which sounds as good as it did in 1982.
