At school, what you listened to cut you out of the clay. It connected to how you dressed, how your hair was, the whole deal. After years of changing out of school uniform into scruffs, or out of scruffs into bests, wearing clothes you’d chosen was such a freedom. It was like changing out of another life, trying your potential self on. It allowed me to separate myself from who I felt I was, to give me chance to become a different me.
Mark, you are reflecting my teenage experience in 1980s smalltown northwest Ireland too...and my late mother's horror that we went out in second-hand raincoats and overcoats, like our heroes in the Bunnymen and the Cure.
"The neighbours will think we can't afford to buy you new clothes!" she despaired.
On the subject of "Me and Magdalena", I have been a Monkees fan since watching the reruns of their TV programme as a small child. However, I hadn't heard this gorgeous song until the tribute for Michael Nesmith last December on Gid Coe's wonderful show on 6Music.
Love this, and that golden-light, flowery nostalgia in the Monkees video (I think I had a crush of all of them in turn!). You're spot on about the clothes - such signifiers. I remember wearing a polo neck top that just showing above my school shirt collar and tie and feeling such a rebel!
I loved the Monkeys! I don't think I've ever heard this and it's beautiful. Thank you. The south east wasn't much different when it came to finding the right shops to fit in with the right tribe but I think that's why I started to make my own clothes. Trying your different self with each outfit. We find our own way but now I consider comfort as well as style.
Beautiful. I didn’t know this song
Mark, you are reflecting my teenage experience in 1980s smalltown northwest Ireland too...and my late mother's horror that we went out in second-hand raincoats and overcoats, like our heroes in the Bunnymen and the Cure.
"The neighbours will think we can't afford to buy you new clothes!" she despaired.
On the subject of "Me and Magdalena", I have been a Monkees fan since watching the reruns of their TV programme as a small child. However, I hadn't heard this gorgeous song until the tribute for Michael Nesmith last December on Gid Coe's wonderful show on 6Music.
Love this, and that golden-light, flowery nostalgia in the Monkees video (I think I had a crush of all of them in turn!). You're spot on about the clothes - such signifiers. I remember wearing a polo neck top that just showing above my school shirt collar and tie and feeling such a rebel!
I was also in love with the Monkees - loved their music too (and still do) but hadn't heard this one before - thanks!
Jumble sales and army surplus - yep, my complete wardrobe, and not forgetting those groovy pink plastic national health specs.
Your writing is so good - it just takes me right back there...
My first band crush was the Monkees and now I own a pair of mustard suede Docs
I loved the Monkeys! I don't think I've ever heard this and it's beautiful. Thank you. The south east wasn't much different when it came to finding the right shops to fit in with the right tribe but I think that's why I started to make my own clothes. Trying your different self with each outfit. We find our own way but now I consider comfort as well as style.