It's 1985 and you've been dumped... what music?

[thekumquat]

Welcome back to little_details!
I'd actually tried to post this in May 2017, but the Dreamwidth version wasn't yet open. As it happens, while I finished the story in question (only really of interest to Antonia Forest fans), I'd still appreciate answers:

"I'm writing a story which for various reasons is between April and June 1985, in England. A 17-year-old boy who generally takes himself way too seriously and has just been dumped, wants to put on some loud music to express his feelings. Rock, punk, not disco - any song that would be available via reasonably mainstream means at that time.

If the timeframe were more flexible, the obvious song would be Joan Jett & the Blackhearts "I hate myself for Loving You", but that came out in 1988. Queen's "Friends will be Friends" would do, but again that's 1986. Ideas?

If anyone happens to know *when* in 1985 that Jimmy Somerville left Bronski Beat to join the Communards, that would also be helpful.

Hoping the DW version of this community takes off!"

Comments

Phonographs have visible tracks and gaps

[dsrtao]

People who use a phonograph regularly would be able to put the arm in the right place on most albums immediately -- by counting the shiny rings between tracks. At 33RPM (the 12" discs, 22 minutes per side) a 2 second gap is a complete shiny ring.

If your character has been drinking or is otherwise unsteady, it could take longer to find the gap accurately. Dropping the needle roughly is a good way to scratch the record. Want to add more misery? That scratch will be there permanently and audibly.

Re: Phonographs have visible tracks and gaps

[thekumquat]

That's what I thought. I grew up with very little music, so only took a couple records off a player in 6th form, then scandalised a friend some years later when he asked me to put a record on. He asked "Haven't you ever put a record on a player before?" And was shocked when I said no. We were very drunk and it was probably a rare album - he became a record dealer...