Smalltown Boy
Encyclopedia
"Smalltown Boy" is the debut single of the British synthpop group Bronski Beat
, released in June 1984. It would also appear on the band's debut album The Age of Consent
, released in December 1984.
The song is a popular '80s anthem and was a huge commercial success, reaching number 3 in the band's native UK. As well, it was a number one hit in Holland and Italy, and hit the top 10 in Australia, Canada, France, and Switzerland. The track reached number 48 in the U.S. pop chart and was a #1 U.S dance hit.
in British society - and can extend to that of other countries also - of the time. It also deals with loneliness
and bullying through societal and familial rejection.
A subsequent promotional music video
was made, and a "young gay man" (Jimmy Somerville
, lead singer of Bronski Beat) was used to depict these issues.
as he was in the beginning, but this time Steinbachek and Bronski join him.
1 Jimmy Somerville with Bronski Beat, 1991 remix
Bronski Beat
Bronski Beat were a popular British synthpop trio who achieved success in the mid 1980s, particularly with the 1984 chart hit "Smalltown Boy". All members of the group were openly homosexual and their songs reflected this, often containing political commentary on gay-related issues...
, released in June 1984. It would also appear on the band's debut album The Age of Consent
The Age of Consent
The Age of Consent is a synthpop album by Bronski Beat , released at the end of 1984 on London Records.-Overview:...
, released in December 1984.
The song is a popular '80s anthem and was a huge commercial success, reaching number 3 in the band's native UK. As well, it was a number one hit in Holland and Italy, and hit the top 10 in Australia, Canada, France, and Switzerland. The track reached number 48 in the U.S. pop chart and was a #1 U.S dance hit.
Song meaning
The song addresses key issues in 1980s homosexual culture. It addresses family rejection for being homosexual and homophobiaHomophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
in British society - and can extend to that of other countries also - of the time. It also deals with loneliness
Loneliness
Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling in which a person feels a strong sense of emptiness and solitude resulting from inadequate levels of social relationships. However, it is a subjective experience...
and bullying through societal and familial rejection.
A subsequent promotional music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was made, and a "young gay man" (Jimmy Somerville
Jimmy Somerville
James William Somerville is a Scottish pop singer and songwriter. He had considerable success in the 1980s with the pop groups Bronski Beat and The Communards, and has also had a successful solo career. He is known in particular for his falsetto singing voice...
, lead singer of Bronski Beat) was used to depict these issues.
Music video
The music video features band member Jimmy Somerville as the boy who has experienced the topics described above. He makes friends, but is attacked by a gang of homophobes and a policeman brings him back to his home. He catches a train, where he is reunited with his friends. This plot is depicted in the video. In the video, he is seen making friends (played by band members Larry Steinbachek and Steve Bronski) near a swimming pool and they overlook the people swimming. They are later briefly seen at the changing room near the pool. The video ends with Somerville riding on the train to LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as he was in the beginning, but this time Steinbachek and Bronski join him.
Track listings and formats
- 7" single BITE 1
- "Smalltown Boy" - 3:58
- "Memories" - 2:55
- 7" single 820 091-7
- "Smalltown Boy" - 3:58
- "Memories" - 3:00
- 12" single BITEX 1
- "Smalltown Boy" - 9:00
- "Infatuation/Memories" - 7:38
- 12" single 820 996-1
- "Smalltown Boy" - 9:00
- "Infatuation/Memories" - 7:38
- 12" single 9-29 017
- "Smalltown Boy" - 9:00
- "Infatuation/Memories" - 7:38
- 12" single MCA-23521
- "Smalltown Boy" - 9:00
- "Infatuation/Memories" - 7:42
- 12" single LDSPX 215
- "Smalltown Boy" - 9:00
- "Infatuation/Memories" - 7:38
Cover versions
- In 1996, it was covered by The NylonsThe NylonsThe Nylons are an a cappella group founded in 1978 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Best known for their covers of The Turtles' "Happy Together", Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", and The Tokens' version of the traditional "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"....
on their album Run for Cover. This version featured only vocals and percussion. - In 1996, Depressive AgeDepressive AgeDepressive Age is a German Thrash-Metal-Band from Berlin.- History :The band started in DDR, but they got popular only after the fall of the Wall.- Discography :* First Depression * Lying in Wait * Symbols for the Blue Times...
, a German metal band, covered the song on their Electric Scum album. - The WoundedThe WoundedThe Wounded is a Dutch wave-rock band, hailing from the province of Drenthe, in the north of The Netherlands. They play intense and melancholy rock.-History:...
, a Dutch Doom/Gothic Metal band, also covered "Smalltown Boy" on their debut album The Art of Grief in 2000. - In 2000, Rosetta StoneRosetta Stone (band)Rosetta Stone were a British goth band formed in the mid 1980s by Porl King and Karl North , plus their drum machine and synthesizer rack nicknamed "Madame Razor"....
covered "Smalltown Boy" on the 80's cover album, Unerotica. - French alternative rockAlternative rockAlternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band IndochineIndochine (band)Indochine is a French new wave/rock band, formed in 1981. The band was very successful in France in the 1980s, as well as other parts of continental Europe and Latin America, with songs like L'Aventurier and Canary Bay...
often perform "Smalltown Boy" in concert and a live recording of the song is available on the single release of their song "Marilyn" from 2002. - Paradise LostParadise Lost (band)Paradise Lost are a heavy metal band that formed in 1988 in Halifax, England.-History:Their first three full-length albums are examples of the death/doom style, although the latter two incorporated some melodic and gothic elements...
, a Gothic Metal band from England, covered "Smalltown Boy" and released it as a bonus track on their 2002 Symbol of LifeSymbol of LifeSymbol of Life is the ninth studio album recorded by British band Paradise Lost. It marks a departure by the band from their synth-based approach and returning to a much heavier sound, although not abandoning the keyboards altogether.-Track listing:...
album. - In, 2005, SwedishSwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
singer SeptemberSeptember (singer)Petra Linnea Paula Marklund who is better known as September is a Swedish singer and songwriter.-Early life and career:...
sampled the tune in "Cry for YouCry for You (September song)"Cry for You" is the title of a number-one Billboard Hot Dance Airplay single by Swedish singer September. The dance pop track spent three weeks at the top spot in May 2007...
". - In 2006, The Fire covered "Smalltown Boy" and they registered the videoclip. This cover is on the album Loverdrive.
- In 2006, Supermode released "Tell Me Why", containing melodic samples from "Smalltown Boy" and lyrics from another Bronski Beat track titled "Why?"Why? (Bronski Beat song)"Why?" is a single from the British synthpop trio Bronski Beat and appeared on their 1984 album The Age of Consent.The song, recorded at RPM Studios, NYC and mixed at Townhouse Studio, London, pursued an energetic musical formula, while the lyrics focused more centrally on anti-gay prejudice...
. - In 2007, José GonzálezJosé GonzálezJosé González is a Swedish-Argentine indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg, Sweden.González is also a member of Swedish band Junip, along with Elias Araya and Tobias Winterkorn.- Biography :...
covered "Smalltown Boy" and released it as a B-side on the single for his own "Down the Line". - In 2008, AtrocityAtrocity (band)Atrocity is a German Heavy Metal band formed in Ludwigsburg.-History:First started in 1985 as Instigators and playing grindcore, Atrocity arose as a death metal band with their debut EP, Blue Blood, in 1989, followed soon by Hallucinations, a concept album about drug use...
, a German metal band, covered the song on their Werk 80 IIWerk 80 IIWerk 80 II is the eighth full-length album by German industrial gothic metal band Atrocity, released on February 29, 2008 and their 2nd full length cover album after the original Werk 80 album released in 1997...
album. - In 2009, And OneAnd OneAND ONE is a German New Wave, synthpop and EBM band founded by Steve Naghavi and Chris Ruiz.-History:The band formed after Steve Naghavi and Chris Ruiz met in 1989 at a Berlin club. Being fans of early EBM music, Naghavi and Ruiz decided to follow in the footsteps of New Wave/synthpop band Depeche...
covered "Smalltown Boy" and it was released on the Bodypop 1.5 album along with other iconic 80's tracks. - In 2009, DelainDelainDelain is a Dutch symphonic metal band. The band was founded by the ex-keyboardist of Within Temptation, Martijn Westerholt.-Founding:Delain was founded by Martijn Westerholt and Charlotte Wessels. Westerholt is the ex-keyboardist and brother of one of the founders of Within Temptation, Robert...
, a symphonic female-fronted metal band, covered "Smalltown Boy" on the re-release of their album, April RainApril RainSpecial MP3 Edition tracklisting- Personnel :*Charlotte Wessels - vocals*Ronald Landa - guitars, vocals *Rob van der Loo - bass guitar*Jimmy Revson - drums*Martijn Westerholt - keyboards-Guests:*Marco Hietala - vocals...
. - In 2010, Sharon CorrSharon CorrSharon Helga Corr is a musician and member of the Irish pop-rock band The Corrs along with elder brother Jim and younger sisters Caroline and Andrea. She plays the violin, piano, and guitar, and sings backing vocals. She began learning the violin when she was six years old...
covered the song for her debut solo album Dream of You. - Herman DüneHerman DüneHerman Düne is a French duo, formed in 1999. Originally a trio, the band now consists of David-Ivar Herman Düne and Néman Herman Düne . Néman, who is from Switzerland, replaced former drummer Omé in early 2001...
, formally known as Andre Human Dune, have covered "Smalltown Boy" and their version was featured in a British TV drama, SkinsSkins (TV series)Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
, in the ninth episode of the third seriesTelevision programA television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
. - In 2011, ElectrelaneElectrelaneElectrelane are a British all-female indie rock band, formed in Brighton in 1998 by Verity Susman and Emma Gaze. The band comprised Susman, Gaze, Mia Clarke, and Ros Murray. Their music draws from wide range of influences including Neu!, Stereolab, Sonic Youth, and The Velvet Underground...
covered the song live on the few shows of their summer reunion tour.
Borrowed riff
The memorable riff from "Smalltown Boy" can be heard in a number of other songs, with the inclusion of:- In 1993, the Real McCoyReal McCoy (band)Real McCoy, originally known as M.C. Sar & The Real McCoy, is a German band, best known for their 1993/1994 singles "Another Night" and "Run Away", which were both Top 10 hits in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.-Formation:...
included the riff in their song "Automatic Lover (Call for Love)". - In 1995, German DJ and producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Marc TraunerMarc TraunerMarc Trauner, better known by his numerous aliases including Marc Acardipane, Mescalinum United, The Mover, Pilldriver, Marshall Masters and Resident E, is a Frankfurt, Germany based DJ and producer.- History :...
(under his Wonderboy alias) sampled the tune in "Wave Of Rave". - In 2009, The Presets remixed Cagedbaby's "Hello There". The remix included the riff from "Smalltown Boy".
- The German TV show Disco Deluxe remixed Destiny's ChildDestiny's ChildDestiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
's "Say My NameSay My Name"Say My Name" is a song by American R&B group Destiny's Child. The song was the third single from the group's 1999 album The Writing's on the Wall, released through Columbia label in 2000 . The single is the most successful of the four releases from the album and is considered to be one of their...
" with the riff of "Smalltown Boy" so it was playing while Destiny's Child was singing. - A very similar riff to Bronski Beat's "Smalltown Boy" can be heard in the Groove ArmadaGroove ArmadaGroove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
track "History", with lead vocals from Will YoungWill YoungWilliam Robert "Will" Young is a British singer-songwriter and actor who came to prominenceafter winning the 2002 inaugural series of the British music contest Pop Idol, making him the first winner of the now-worldwide Idols-format franchise...
. - In 2006, AxwellAxwellAxwell is a DJ, remixer, record producer and record label owner from Sweden. He is part of a three person group dubbed the Swedish House Mafia along with Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello...
and Steve Angello, under the Supermode alias, remixed the song, producing "Tell Me Why". - In 2007, Daft PunkDaft PunkDaft Punk are an electronic music duo consisting of French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter . Daft Punk reached significant popularity in the late 1990s house movement in France and met with continued success in the years following, combining elements of house with synthpop...
included the riff in the track "Too Long/Steam Machine", which appeared on their Alive 2007Alive 2007Alive 2007 is a live album by Daft Punk, first released on November 19, 2007. It is the second album recorded live by the duo, following Alive 1997...
live album. - In 2009, Delain, a symphonic female-fronted metal band, covered "Smalltown Boy" (single) not yet on album acording official site's
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Gold | 1 March 1985 | 50,000 |
| UK | Silver | 1 July 1984 | 200,000 |
Charts
| Chart (1984/1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
7 |
| Canada (RPM) | 9 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... Singles Chart |
1 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 8 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 4 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 2 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
48 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
1 |
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
| UK Singles Chart 1 | 32 |
1 Jimmy Somerville with Bronski Beat, 1991 remix