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.
Second hand raincoats in summer! Delighted to hear it was similar in northwest Ireland. I missed that Gideon Coe show...I shall see if it's streamable online - thank you so much for letting me (and everyone) know about it
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.
Hi Pippa, lovely to hear from you. I've just had two other emails saying that the north west and the midlands was similar so just awaiting the north west and east anglia and we have some serious geographical coverage!
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.
Second hand raincoats in summer! Delighted to hear it was similar in northwest Ireland. I missed that Gideon Coe show...I shall see if it's streamable online - thank you so much for letting me (and everyone) know about it
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!
Those teenage rebellion feelings are delicious aren't they!
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...
Thank you Maggie, that's very lovely of you
My first band crush was the Monkees and now I own a pair of mustard suede Docs
I might have written this just for you, mightn't I!
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.
Hi Pippa, lovely to hear from you. I've just had two other emails saying that the north west and the midlands was similar so just awaiting the north west and east anglia and we have some serious geographical coverage!
Just realised I've put south east. Doh! I 'm actually East Anglia. Geography was never my thing.
I will adjust the response map to reflect that!