I'm surprised nobody is mentioning their breakout single 'Virginia Plain', which was, is and always will be mind-blowing! Personally, I am very fond of 'Grey Lagoons'.
I first heard 'Virginia Plain' on the John Peel Show. He recommended " Go out and buy this because in the future it will be considered a classic." Dear John.
I know this is a year old post. I love the fact that some 50 years later you and many others both here and over the pond are discovering the magic of RM. Those of us who were there at the start need no explanation of the lyrics, music style, poetry ,etc. as we fully experienced it at the time and continue to enjoy the nuances of every track. They hit the floor of the OGWT running and stunned the British public with their outlandish fashion glam style (pre Bolan, who lets face it, appealed to very young impressionable 13 year old chicks), completely off the wall lyrical songs and weird, at the time musical style. I don't think there had ever been a such a prominent oboe/sax/woodwind player as Andy McKay, Phil's exotic guitar style on lead, Thommo's throbbing drum style with his cascading intros and finally last but certainly not least, Brian Eno's incredible electronic experimental contribution which was completely innovative at the time. Ferry's lyrics are a master piece of ryhming and poetic style which has never been usurped, and their impact on the music scene was only matched a short while later by Queen with a similar flamboyance, musical excellence and mastery on the stage by FM and the band. I await the coming of the third Messiah.😁.
"If There Is Something" from their debut is right up there, but I'd highly recommend the live version from the album "Viva! Roxy Music", which incidentally also has a cracking version of "In Every Home a Heartache".
The song for me the song is "Ladytron", the image of the boys playing that live in a BBC studio, late on a Tuesday night in 1972, in indelibly burnt into my psyche. From the swirling Eno introduction, Andy MacKay on Oboe, Phil with his mirrored 'fly eyes' sunglasses, Bryan in lounge lizard mode. All of them looking like extras from the Rocky Horror Picture show, three years before the film was shot and nearly two before Richard O'Brien wrote the play. The TV show? Brits will know it well, The Old Grey Whistle Test, the clip can be easily found on RUclips. In 1972, we hadn't seen anything like it before.
Wow... didn't realize that. In live footage Eno plays the synth solo and Bryan comps on the electric piano. However, Bryan does play a solo after the synth solo.
I would say that "In Every Dream Home a Heartache" is ONE OF Roxy Music's best songs, but there are many others: "Re-Make/Re-Model", "Virginia Plain", "Do the Strand", "Editions of You", "Out of the Blue", "Both Ends Burning" and "Love Is the Drug", among others.
Hi, I am Frank, coming from Hamburg/ Europe. For me it's A Song for Europe. It always make me cry for two reasons: The melancholy on this song in different languages And second: for all the grieve this beautiful city(of love) Paris has to endure in the last years(terror/ notre Dame) it became a soundtrack for me. By the way: I'm sixty years old and Roxy Music became a Soundtrack of my life. I am a big VddG-fan. More of them or Peter Hammill
I've always taken it as a parody - an affectionate one. The overblown, melodramatic lyrics (& their treatment) are brilliantly done, but they don't disguise the truths that lie at the centre of the sentiments expressed. Ferry is fantastic at such things, & his use of language (& wit) is second to none. Love it!!
SUNSET from the album Stranded is my favourite Roxy Music song and was a massive influence on Japan. A Song For Europe, Virginia Plain, Mother Of Pearl are all pretty good too 🙂
I just saw your channel for first time because I saw that you were doing Roxy. I LOVE that you appreciate them. When you say Elvis, you're right, but there's always a camp factor where he's throwing in a cartoonish crooner archetype. There's always a wink in their music!
I have all the Roxy Music Albums and bought each as they were released. My favorite band. I have seen them once and Ferry 3 x more. Also bought 1,2 and 3 again on CD later. My favorite album is Stranded and Mother of Pearl is the epitome of the Roxy sound to me. Such an influence on so many who came later.
Yep, Stranded is my favourite Roxy Album as well. In fact the first four albums were all sensational! Favourite song on Stranded for me has to be Psalm. Gorgeous.
Hey JP as a matter of fact I can name you a better song than In every home a heartache . "If there is something" from the first Roxy album . A must listen for any Roxy Music fan .
@@thebrysmith3 I won't argue that, except to say that the Viva version truncates Eddie Jobson's violin solo. The full version is on youtube: Newcastle City Hall - 28 October 1974
@@thebrysmith3 No denying Viva is the band in peak form . I just have a soft spot for the first Roxy album . I prefer Paul Thompsons drumming in the live version . Was not thrilled about Tin Machines version .
My all time favourite Roxy song (fan since day1) , arguably his finest vocal performance and the lyrics are sensational. The sublime e-piano, riffing guitar and pounding drums , Eno's synth screeching ....Oh Yeah! Thank you Justin, spot on!
Eno and Manzanera exchange effects during the middle section, a wish fulfilment fantasy the girl driving the fast car. Eno is pursuing her in his police car, siren wailing, while Manzanera revs up the motor. It's a thrill ride. I'm surprised you didn't cotton on to that part. It's a lot like comic book art in sound. Like Roy Lichtenstein perhaps. This to me is the pop art element of Roxy, as well as the creepy visualisations of Dream Home. The use of flanging effects to sound like the air billowing out of the doll. Scary imaginative stuff.
Early on in watching the TV series "The Americans", I was about to call it quits, when at the end of an episode they played Sunset in a montage. I figured if the producers had such good taste it was worth staying with it (and glad I did!).
I liked your comment about David from 'Japan', I've often felt that he models himself on Bryan, at the very least vocally. Roxy Music have many great tracks, early Roxy is a very different animal to the later Roxy, both excellent in their own way but light years apart. There are a number of tracks that I would recommend but of them all 'In Every Dream Home A Heartache' stays with you the most I feel, please could you react/review to the following at some point; 'The Thrill Of It All', 'Pajamarama', 'Is There Something', by Roxy Music, also the Bryan Ferry version of 'Sea Breezes', 'The Price of Love', 'Let's Stick Together', 'Shame, Shame, Shame, and his cover of 'It's Only Love' all off of the same album? Thank you again for doing such a great job, keep up the good work!
If There Is Something Sea Breezes The Bogus Man For Your Pleasure Re-Make Re-Model The Thrill Of It All Mother Of Pearl Out Of The Blue Both Ends Burning if not better - certainly some of these songs are in the mix as their best tunes. Off the top of my head - maybe more! Back from work - songs that could be considered on a par with 'In Every Dream Home A Heartache' - cont'd. The Bob Medley Do The Strand Virginia Plain Ladytron Chance Meeting Editions Of You A Song For Europe Street Life Amazona Sunset Pyjamarama That's close to my top 20 RM tunes but you do get a different view from album listening. Some of the other songs really do shine in their album place. Also - generally I do not favor live albums - BUT - Roxy Music Viva is a definite exception. Every song on Viva is better than the studio version. I'm sure they overdubbed on it but so what - Viva works!
The very best Roxy Music song and the very best version of it is the "Viva! Live" album version of "If There Is Something". You are spot on about the Elvis comparison and the country music influence. More of that in the beginning of If There Is Something, more than almost to the point of parody, but it goes somewhere fantastic.
So many great Roxy songs, but there's only one that I would take a line from and have it as a tattoo, and that's "If there is something". "Shake your head girl, with your ponytail. Takes me right back......"
Triptych and the very next song off of country life Cassanova…..it’s a beautiful one two punch…..these 3 songs along with in every dream home a heartache…..to me….are the absolute pinnacle of their songwriting😊
I agree the early albums are the best and I lost interest in Roxy somewhere along the way, but when I saw them live in 2001 their show was a mix of early and later stuff. I loved it all. Nobody else wrote pop songs with such style.
I personally agree with "Ladytron" as it is very Roxy Music. With Bryan Ferry not Roxy solo for me it has to be "Love me madly again" there's one on You-Tube with Album merged with concert.
Obviously personal choice, but better than in Every Dream : Virginia Plane - If There Is Something - Ladytron -- Sea Breezes - Grey Lagoons - Pyjamarama - Street Life- Just Like You- Amazona - A Song For Europe - Mother Of Pearl - The Thrill Of It All - Out Of The Blue - All I Want Is You - A Really Good Time - Prairie Rose - Sentimental Fool - Both Ends Burning - Just Another High - She Sells - Manifesto - Stronger Through The Years - Same old scene - Running wild - My Only Love. Roxy Music are a band like no other, toally unique & creatively unmatched in my eyes, light years ahead of their time.
The shimmering sound in those breaks is Phil's Manzanera's guitar run through a Tremelo effect. At one time it was one of only a handful of guitar effects available during the 1960's, along with amp distortion, spring reverbs, whammy bar and Wah-wah pedals. Phil is using this classic Tremelo effect as a nod back to the previous decade of Rock 'n' Roll, as is the simple chord progression. The sound fits so well with the glammed-up rockabilly look that Ferry and Mackay had. Justin, I think you're right about Ferry channeling his inner Elvis. This is a nostalgic and romanticised vision of Ferry's childhood style icons now seen through his own wilder prism of camp and glamour.
The one track from the album, as far as I am aware, where Phil Manzanera plays some slide on the guitar. I actually saw them live back in 1975 when Ferry was into his Khaki military look with matching tie.
Nothing beats "Mother of Pearl" for me. This is an excellent song too though, I love Ferry's vocals in this one, and the lyrics. I feel like "The Thrill of it All" doesn't get enough attention.
My faves are Mother of Pearl, Both Ends Burning, Editions of you, out of the Blue, the thrill of it all….and of course, In Every Dream home a heartache …..so many classics!
'In Every Home' is awesome and it would be one that I would recommend when introducing anyone to Roxy Music but for me I have to be in the mood of or it... The first song that comes to mind is 'Mother Of Pearl' as a teen I was mad on it... These days I prefer their slightly more sophisticated pop 'The Main Thing', 'Lover', 'Same Old Scene' another absolute favourite is 'Pjamarama'...
I've always loved 'Oh Yeah (On The Radio)' and Ferry's version of John Lennon's 'Jealous Guy'. For those of you that have Netflix...the German series 'Babylon Berlin' features a few Roxy Music songs that are sprinkled about as background music played in the musical style of the 1929 era. Also, Bryan Ferry has a cameo singing Bitter Sweet (I believe) in a Berlin Cabaret.
Beauty Queen is a real singing tour de force for BF. It does evoke Elvis and doo-wop from the 50s. Lyrically, the mention of Sea Breezes and the accompanying synth/wave sound is a nod to the track off their debut LP. Fave Roxy song? Better than IEDHAH?? Probably: The Bogus Man, Sentimental Fool or A Really Good Time.
If There Is Something. The best Roxy track hands down, because it's that good. Or 2HB, that's just lovely. I love this too :) That voice, so absurd and brilliant. I hear Edith Piaf more than anything else xd
"It isn't rock, it's Roxy. For your pleasure" -- from the full page ad for this album in Circus Magazine when this album was first released. Anyone else here have posters from Circus Magazine on their bedroom wall as a teenager?
You clearly know your music. Loved Roxy since day one & their debut album. All I would all to your summing up is Brian Eno often fed Phil’s guitar through his synth & David Sylvian would have been influenced by Bryan Ferry, Japan being the latter band. Love your takes on the band - try “Really good time” - taken from second post Eno album with Eddie Jobson on keyboards. :)
Thanks for reacting to this song, Justin. The whole album, For Your Pleasure, is terrific (including "In Every Dream Home a Heartache"). And it sounds great if and when you can listen to it as a single event. Yes, some artists did assemble albums as groups of songs to be heard in their entirety from beginning to end... You're right, there is a flavour of Elvis in this song, and a touch of country - heard more prominently in a few other Roxy Music songs. Bryan Ferry's vibrato is not only an echo of Elvis' sound. Even opera singers use vibrato at times, and there is a history in popular singing, too. Even in languages other than English, if you are willing to listen to a chanteuse like Edith Piaf, amongst others. And I would guess that David Sylvian was listening fairly closely to Roxy Music when he was young and starting out as the singer with Japan... My favourite Roxy Music song is still "Mother of Pearl", but others are great, too. Some sound better in concert and from live recordings than they do on the studio albums. The first live album, Viva! Roxy Music, sounds less polished in terms of production than the studio LPs and I feel that benefits listeners because the energy of the musicians is more visceral as a result.
Your comment about Elvis could offend Elvis and Roxy fans, but not me. I'm almost old enough to be an Elvis fan. But I'm not. I can certainly hear the similarities and am not offended by it. Saw Roxy in mid '70s. Epic!
oh o, wow, i would say psalm, it hits me deep. but this is up in diamond status along with 2HB and all the others mentioned here. best concert i've seen since 1075. i want to see them in london for their 50th anniversary tour . out of the blue from viva live is killer.
I think your analysis of the vocals is spot on, from the influence or imitation of Elvis to the “warble“ (vibrato). I, personally, couldn’t get past the vocals. I think Ferry’s vibrato sounds like a bleating sheep. 🐑 5:27 ⭐️
Definitely an acquired taste. I think Ferry sounds much better here than on the debut album. On the debut his voice sounds thinner (bad production) and in parts the vibrato is subjectively overused.
I love Roxy Music and normally love Brian Ferry's voice, saw him in concert many years ago, but his singing on some parts on this one reminds me of Dr Frank on Rocky Horror. And yes!!! Reminded me of Elvis too!
Manzanera's guitar was sometimes patched through Eno's "DEVICES", and Eno would manipulate and distort the guitar sound at his will. There is even a live video showing this taking place during the Manzanera solo In Every Dream Home a Heartache (Musikladen performance). It's AWESOME!!!
Well tbh, on Side 2 of FYP are The Bogus Man and the title track, which, along with Mother of Pearl off Stranded, are probably my Top 3 Roxy songs...but i love the trio of early hits too (Virginia Plain, Pyjamarama, Street Life) 👍
In 1981 a band called Material….and the album with Bill Laswell and Fred Frith on bass and guitar was put out…..it changed the musical landscape quite a bit…..from start to finish….brilliant..they discovered a new language…..and to hear how it penetrated the coming future for decades is…..astounding……the way Roxy Music and Brian Eno changed it in the early 70s…..The way Pere Ubu changed it back in 77….. no one was listening to them though…..just a very few….my friends from Cleveland….such incredible musicians…who with my band Strange New Flesh….Pere Ubu….Tin Huey and Devo…played shows together that were simply astounding….unique…..and at Times brilliant…..we didn’t care what the audience thought…we were doing it for ourselves….with no want to become famous…….Devo fell into it without even looking for it……my band was a 3 piece all original progressive group with no vocals…Pere Ubu were always on the edge of a breakdown musically….it was always like listening to a nervous breakdown….just brilliant….this was in the disco era and we could have cared less about what people thought….we played for the sake of music…..shunned what the music industry thought of us….could have cared less….which gave us such artistic freedom……the same when Eno came out…or Roxy…..a fucking oboe in a rock band😊…..they played for themselves and created music on their own terms….it’s what I learned from those groups as a teenager…..integrity….honesty…..don’t listen to others and create what makes you smile.
Regarding Material you are probably referring to the excellent album Memory Serves but the band had already released a series of 12" EPs between 1979 and 81 (Temporary Music 1, Temporary Music 2 and American Songs) gathered later in the form of a compilation, a first time on Vinyl under the title Secret Life in 1986 then on CD in 1992 under the name Temporary Music (1979-1981). It is a superb series of pieces defying musical styles and genres mixing Jazz, Rock, Electronic, Post-punk/New-wave, Funk & Avantgarde, giving something very particular and unique.
I saw them in a smallish venue in Charlotte, in the '70s, when Eno was still with them, and he was wearing his wings. He used to wear wings. Great band and review! Big fan of "Avalon" and "To Turn You On". Also "Don't Stop the Dance". Cheers!
Never a fan of this one. For RM, rather lacklustre I feel. Laborious too, excepting the little burst in the middle, but said burst isn't interesting enough to save this track for me. Re my fave, 'Ladytron', always. Andy M's oboe, sax work, sublime.
'Beauty Queen' is the only song on 'For Your Pleasure' that I *don't* like. If you are interested in hearing something closer in spirit to 'In Every Dream Home A Heartache' I would go for "The Bogus Man' ( though that one goes on a bit. ) 'Bitter- Sweet', '2HB' and 'The Thrill of It All' are interesting as well imo.
On this track, at least live, it’s Andy Mackay playing the keyboard that is fed through Eno’s synth at the very opening of the track and then throughout the track. The woman in question is a bit of a hybrid. The locally non famous attractive girl. Valerie Leon and Marilyn Monroe. It’s one of my favourite tracks. It was one of the first tracks written by Ferry for this LP and early in the tracks construction Ferry was considering it for a single.
Roxy Music don't really have "deep cuts" as their catalogue is pretty compact, but a less well known song I've always loved is Three And Nine, from their 4th album Country Life. They're rightly renowned for being futuristic, but this song is unambiguously nostalgic. Great oboe work from Andy McKay.
In Every Dream Home A Heartache is my 2nd favorite Roxy song. You've already done my actual fave, Out Of The Blue. I'm also rather fond of Love Is The Drug, The Thrill Of It All, The Bogus Man, and Remake/Remodel
Certainly does evoke the 50’s high school prom feel, quite intentional. Nearly all songs on this album are very strong, though I agree Heartache is the standout. My favourite Roxy song is Amazona from Stranded (their third album). Just about perfect for me!
I love this track for the way it combines nostalgic singing with modern instrumentation: Ferry's crooning and the heavily processed Wurlitzer keyboard. "In Every Dream Home..." succeeds on all levels but centers around Ferry's lyric imagery and delivery. A better song? Very hard to choose. "A Song For Europe" is powerful. For albums you will find many people pointing to "Siren". It's a good album but not as good as its predecessor, "Country Life". For me, the masterpiece.
Try "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" It just Bryan Ferry for the soundtrack for Legend. Tangerine Dream wrote most of the music on the soundtrack (not that song, though) and there is a collaboration with Jon Anderson.
I like those songs, but Jerry Goldsmith originally did a fantastic score for the film which should not have been replaced. Thankfully, the film has been released unedited and with Goldsmith's score restored.
@@blackcatcentralmusic I have the special edition DVD set with both, the directors cut with Goldsmith soundtrack and US release version with TD soundtrack.
Hey Justin: first to answer your question - "Love Is The Drug" would be my choice. But since you are reacting to Beauty QUEEN, I am reminded that this Wednesday is the 30th anniversary of the passing of Freddie Mercury. It would be cool if on that day, or in the days and weeks afterwards you could pay tribute to the man by reacting to a side of a Queen LP written entirely by Freddie. Side Black of Queen II contains "Ogre Battle", "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke", "Nevermore", "The March of the Black Queen", "Funny How Love Is" and "The Seven Seas of Rhye" and it is an under appreciated masterpiece of music! And if not at this time, than maybe some day?? Peace out!
I'm surprised nobody is mentioning their breakout single 'Virginia Plain', which was, is and always will be mind-blowing! Personally, I am very fond of 'Grey Lagoons'.
Yes, Grey Lagoons is a definite highlight. I might be wrong, but I think Justin covered Virginia Plain a while back.
I first heard 'Virginia Plain' on the John Peel Show. He recommended " Go out and buy this because in the future it will be considered a classic." Dear John.
I know this is a year old post. I love the fact that some 50 years later you and many others both here and over the pond are discovering the magic of RM. Those of us who were there at the start need no explanation of the lyrics, music style, poetry ,etc. as we fully experienced it at the time and continue to enjoy the nuances of every track. They hit the floor of the OGWT running and stunned the British public with their outlandish fashion glam style (pre Bolan, who lets face it, appealed to very young impressionable 13 year old chicks), completely off the wall lyrical songs and weird, at the time musical style. I don't think there had ever been a such a prominent oboe/sax/woodwind player as Andy McKay, Phil's exotic guitar style on lead, Thommo's throbbing drum style with his cascading intros and finally last but certainly not least, Brian Eno's incredible electronic experimental contribution which was completely innovative at the time. Ferry's lyrics are a master piece of ryhming and poetic style which has never been usurped, and their impact on the music scene was only matched a short while later by Queen with a similar flamboyance, musical excellence and mastery on the stage by FM and the band. I await the coming of the third Messiah.😁.
"If There Is Something" from their debut is right up there, but I'd highly recommend the live version from the album "Viva! Roxy Music", which incidentally also has a cracking version of "In Every Home a Heartache".
The song for me the song is "Ladytron", the image of the boys playing that live in a BBC studio, late on a Tuesday night in 1972, in indelibly burnt into my psyche. From the swirling Eno introduction, Andy MacKay on Oboe, Phil with his mirrored 'fly eyes' sunglasses, Bryan in lounge lizard mode. All of them looking like extras from the Rocky Horror Picture show, three years before the film was shot and nearly two before Richard O'Brien wrote the play. The TV show? Brits will know it well, The Old Grey Whistle Test, the clip can be easily found on RUclips. In 1972, we hadn't seen anything like it before.
I was similarly transfixed by that same show.
I don't think In Every Dream Home a Heartache can be bettered. That said, I've always been very fond of their second single, Pyjamarama.
As another posted, "If There is Something". One of my favorite Roxy Music tracks, off the debut album.
I don't have a favorite Roxy Music track, too many to choose from, too many moods. How about some love for Paul Thompson, though, what a drummer!
If all Roxy's music was going to be destroyed the track I would have to save would be "Editions of You" just for THAT synth solo!!
Only Eno could have done that solo. Unique and inspired
@@blackcatcentralmusic Thank was played by BF
Wow... didn't realize that. In live footage Eno plays the synth solo and Bryan comps on the electric piano. However, Bryan does play a solo after the synth solo.
I would say that "In Every Dream Home a Heartache" is ONE OF Roxy Music's best songs, but there are many others: "Re-Make/Re-Model", "Virginia Plain", "Do the Strand", "Editions of You", "Out of the Blue", "Both Ends Burning" and "Love Is the Drug", among others.
Hi, I am Frank, coming from Hamburg/ Europe.
For me it's A Song for Europe.
It always make me cry for two reasons:
The melancholy on this song in different languages
And second: for all the grieve this beautiful city(of love) Paris has to endure in the last years(terror/ notre Dame) it became a soundtrack for me. By the way: I'm sixty years old and Roxy Music became a Soundtrack of my life.
I am a big VddG-fan. More of them or Peter Hammill
I've always taken it as a parody - an affectionate one. The overblown, melodramatic lyrics (& their treatment) are brilliantly done, but they don't disguise the truths that lie at the centre of the sentiments expressed. Ferry is fantastic at such things, & his use of language (& wit) is second to none. Love it!!
I have cried myself to sleep to this track, ever since Brexit!
SUNSET from the album Stranded is my favourite Roxy Music song and was a massive influence on Japan.
A Song For Europe, Virginia Plain, Mother Of Pearl are all pretty good too 🙂
I just saw your channel for first time because I saw that you were doing Roxy.
I LOVE that you appreciate them.
When you say Elvis, you're right, but there's always a camp factor where he's throwing in a cartoonish crooner archetype.
There's always a wink in their music!
Dude. I had no idea who you were but I’m obsessed with you now. I found you because of Roxy Music but omg you’re so very up my alley. I am a big fan.
I have all the Roxy Music Albums and bought each as they were released. My favorite band. I have seen them once and Ferry 3 x more. Also bought 1,2 and 3 again on CD later. My favorite album is Stranded and Mother of Pearl is the epitome of the Roxy sound to me. Such an influence on so many who came later.
Also have all of Ferry's albums..The Bride Stripped Bare is amazing.
Yep, Stranded is my favourite Roxy Album as well. In fact the first four albums were all sensational! Favourite song on Stranded for me has to be Psalm. Gorgeous.
Hey JP as a matter of fact I can name you a better song than In every home a heartache . "If there is something" from the first Roxy album . A must listen for any Roxy Music fan .
Highly recommend the movie "Flashbacks of a Fool", where that song plays a central role.
Growing potatoes by the score...lol 😍
I would suggest that the live version from "Viva! The Live Roxy Music Album" is even better.
@@thebrysmith3 I won't argue that, except to say that the Viva version truncates Eddie Jobson's violin solo. The full version is on youtube: Newcastle City Hall - 28 October 1974
@@thebrysmith3 No denying Viva is the band in peak form . I just have a soft spot for the first Roxy album . I prefer Paul Thompsons drumming in the live version . Was not thrilled about Tin Machines version .
My all time favourite Roxy song (fan since day1) , arguably his finest vocal performance and the lyrics are sensational. The sublime e-piano, riffing guitar and pounding drums , Eno's synth screeching ....Oh Yeah! Thank you Justin, spot on!
Roxy at their avant garde best
Eno and Manzanera exchange effects during the middle section, a wish fulfilment fantasy the girl driving the fast car. Eno is pursuing her in his police car, siren wailing, while Manzanera revs up the motor. It's a thrill ride. I'm surprised you didn't cotton on to that part. It's a lot like comic book art in sound. Like Roy Lichtenstein perhaps. This to me is the pop art element of Roxy, as well as the creepy visualisations of Dream Home. The use of flanging effects to sound like the air billowing out of the doll. Scary imaginative stuff.
One of the best Roxy Music songs in my opinion
Mother of Pearl
To me the best song from Roxy Music is "Sunset" off Stranded
Early on in watching the TV series "The Americans", I was about to call it quits, when at the end of an episode they played Sunset in a montage. I figured if the producers had such good taste it was worth staying with it (and glad I did!).
I liked your comment about David from 'Japan', I've often felt that he models himself on Bryan, at the very least vocally. Roxy Music have many great tracks, early Roxy is a very different animal to the later Roxy, both excellent in their own way but light years apart. There are a number of tracks that I would recommend but of them all 'In Every Dream Home A Heartache' stays with you the most I feel, please could you react/review to the following at some point; 'The Thrill Of It All', 'Pajamarama', 'Is There Something', by Roxy Music, also the Bryan Ferry version of 'Sea Breezes', 'The Price of Love', 'Let's Stick Together', 'Shame, Shame, Shame, and his cover of 'It's Only Love' all off of the same album? Thank you again for doing such a great job, keep up the good work!
If There Is Something
Sea Breezes
The Bogus Man
For Your Pleasure
Re-Make Re-Model
The Thrill Of It All
Mother Of Pearl
Out Of The Blue
Both Ends Burning
if not better - certainly some of these songs are in the mix as their best tunes. Off the top of my head - maybe more! Back from work - songs that could be considered on a par with 'In Every Dream Home A Heartache' - cont'd.
The Bob Medley
Do The Strand
Virginia Plain
Ladytron
Chance Meeting
Editions Of You
A Song For Europe
Street Life
Amazona
Sunset
Pyjamarama
That's close to my top 20 RM tunes but you do get a different view from album listening. Some of the other songs really do shine in their album place. Also - generally I do not favor live albums - BUT - Roxy Music Viva is a definite exception. Every song on Viva is better than the studio version. I'm sure they overdubbed on it but so what - Viva works!
Would you say In Every Dream Home is one of their best? Like top 5?😉
@@JustJP Yes but with a caveat. Depending on my mood Roxy Music has about 20 songs that are my favorites and all are about equally great.
The very best Roxy Music song and the very best version of it is the "Viva! Live" album version of "If There Is Something". You are spot on about the Elvis comparison and the country music influence. More of that in the beginning of If There Is Something, more than almost to the point of parody, but it goes somewhere fantastic.
One of my favorite Roxy Music tracks
Could listen to Brian Ferry on repeat forever. His voice and phrasing are always interesting but also so calming.
BrYan!
Usually Ferry's quavering voice is not my cup of tea but it puts me off downright on this track !
I know what you mean. Normally i like Ferry's voice,, but here, sounded like he was parodying himself...
@@jfergs.3302 Yes, he's doing even more than usual here ! it doesn't sound natural at all.
A song for Europe…Prairie Rose…All I want is you…great songs
So many great Roxy songs, but there's only one that I would take a line from and have it as a tattoo, and that's "If there is something". "Shake your head girl, with your ponytail. Takes me right back......"
a song for europe gets there... wonderful analysis of the song beautiful.. thankyou
Triptych and the very next song off of country life Cassanova…..it’s a beautiful one two punch…..these 3 songs along with in every dream home a heartache…..to me….are the absolute pinnacle of their songwriting😊
Everything up to the Siren album was good. After that it's just MOR Schmulz!
I agree the early albums are the best and I lost interest in Roxy somewhere along the way, but when I saw them live in 2001 their show was a mix of early and later stuff. I loved it all. Nobody else wrote pop songs with such style.
"Out of the Blue," "Ladytron" and "Sunset" are all at least just as good as Dreamhome. Sunset is amazingly brilliant.
I personally agree with "Ladytron" as it is very Roxy Music. With Bryan Ferry not Roxy solo for me it has to be "Love me madly again" there's one on You-Tube with Album merged with concert.
Obviously personal choice, but better than in Every Dream : Virginia Plane - If There Is Something - Ladytron -- Sea Breezes - Grey Lagoons - Pyjamarama - Street Life- Just Like You- Amazona - A Song For Europe - Mother Of Pearl - The Thrill Of It All - Out Of The Blue - All I Want Is You - A Really Good Time - Prairie Rose - Sentimental Fool - Both Ends Burning - Just Another High - She Sells - Manifesto - Stronger Through The Years - Same old scene - Running wild - My Only Love.
Roxy Music are a band like no other, toally unique & creatively unmatched in my eyes, light years ahead of their time.
The shimmering sound in those breaks is Phil's Manzanera's guitar run through a Tremelo effect. At one time it was one of only a handful of guitar effects available during the 1960's, along with amp distortion, spring reverbs, whammy bar and Wah-wah pedals. Phil is using this classic Tremelo effect as a nod back to the previous decade of Rock 'n' Roll, as is the simple chord progression. The sound fits so well with the glammed-up rockabilly look that Ferry and Mackay had. Justin, I think you're right about Ferry channeling his inner Elvis. This is a nostalgic and romanticised vision of Ferry's childhood style icons now seen through his own wilder prism of camp and glamour.
Ah perfect, ty for explaining it for me! :D
The one track from the album, as far as I am aware, where Phil Manzanera plays some slide on the guitar. I actually saw them live back in 1975 when Ferry was into his Khaki military look with matching tie.
All of Stranded is absolute quality very emotional for me.
All Roxy is class.
Nothing beats "Mother of Pearl" for me. This is an excellent song too though, I love Ferry's vocals in this one, and the lyrics. I feel like "The Thrill of it All" doesn't get enough attention.
The album Siren is their masterpiece, but it must be listened as a whole.
Love Siren! End Of the Line has to be one of my favorite Roxy songs.
@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 Dont forget Sentimental Fool !
For Your Pleasure is vastly superior to Siren
Bryan Ferry’s Windswept song from his solo album Boys & Girls is s wonderful song featuring Gilmour & Knopfler
My faves are Mother of Pearl, Both Ends Burning, Editions of you, out of the Blue, the thrill of it all….and of course, In Every Dream home a heartache …..so many classics!
'In Every Home' is awesome and it would be one that I would recommend when introducing anyone to Roxy Music but for me I have to be in the mood of or it... The first song that comes to mind is 'Mother Of Pearl' as a teen I was mad on it... These days I prefer their slightly more sophisticated pop 'The Main Thing', 'Lover', 'Same Old Scene' another absolute favourite is 'Pjamarama'...
It's tough, but I'm going to say "Prairie Rose" off Country Life.
The drumming is ace. Very sleek. Particularly the base drum pattern.
"Oh Yeah" is another great tune.
I've always loved 'Oh Yeah (On The Radio)' and Ferry's version of John Lennon's 'Jealous Guy'.
For those of you that have Netflix...the German series 'Babylon Berlin' features a few Roxy Music songs that are sprinkled about as background music played in the musical style of the 1929 era. Also, Bryan Ferry has a cameo singing Bitter Sweet (I believe) in a Berlin Cabaret.
Brilliant critique about Elvis!
The lady on the cover is Amanda Lear.
Beauty Queen is a real singing tour de force for BF. It does evoke Elvis and doo-wop from the 50s. Lyrically, the mention of Sea Breezes and the accompanying synth/wave sound is a nod to the track off their debut LP. Fave Roxy song? Better than IEDHAH?? Probably: The Bogus Man, Sentimental Fool or A Really Good Time.
If There Is Something. The best Roxy track hands down, because it's that good. Or 2HB, that's just lovely. I love this too :) That voice, so absurd and brilliant. I hear Edith Piaf more than anything else xd
"It isn't rock, it's Roxy. For your pleasure" -- from the full page ad for this album in Circus Magazine when this album was first released. Anyone else here have posters from Circus Magazine on their bedroom wall as a teenager?
Chance Meeting or A Song for Europe
For me, this is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.
You clearly know your music.
Loved Roxy since day one & their debut album. All I would all to your summing up is Brian Eno often fed Phil’s guitar through his synth & David Sylvian would have been influenced by Bryan Ferry, Japan being the latter band. Love your takes on the band - try “Really good time” - taken from second post Eno album with Eddie Jobson on keyboards. :)
Thanks for reacting to this song, Justin. The whole album, For Your Pleasure, is terrific (including "In Every Dream Home a Heartache"). And it sounds great if and when you can listen to it as a single event. Yes, some artists did assemble albums as groups of songs to be heard in their entirety from beginning to end...
You're right, there is a flavour of Elvis in this song, and a touch of country - heard more prominently in a few other Roxy Music songs. Bryan Ferry's vibrato is not only an echo of Elvis' sound. Even opera singers use vibrato at times, and there is a history in popular singing, too. Even in languages other than English, if you are willing to listen to a chanteuse like Edith Piaf, amongst others. And I would guess that David Sylvian was listening fairly closely to Roxy Music when he was young and starting out as the singer with Japan...
My favourite Roxy Music song is still "Mother of Pearl", but others are great, too. Some sound better in concert and from live recordings than they do on the studio albums. The first live album, Viva! Roxy Music, sounds less polished in terms of production than the studio LPs and I feel that benefits listeners because the energy of the musicians is more visceral as a result.
I love this song so much
Virginia Plain and Pyjamarama are their two best songs. The Bogus Man is their proggiest song.
Valerie please..... How did I not know that? **face palm** Now I love it more
You are listening to it !
Your comment about Elvis could offend Elvis and Roxy fans, but not me. I'm almost old enough to be an Elvis fan. But I'm not. I can certainly hear the similarities and am not offended by it. Saw Roxy in mid '70s. Epic!
oh o, wow, i would say psalm, it hits me deep. but this is up in diamond status along with 2HB and all the others mentioned here. best concert i've seen since 1075. i want to see them in london for their 50th anniversary tour . out of the blue from viva live is killer.
Manzanera would filter his guitar through Eno's machines to create some of that offbeat sound that you are trying to identify.
Best is very subjective. Roxy Music is really Bryan Ferry. So my favorite Bryan Ferry song is "Let's Stick Together ".
The piano is Bryan Ferry.
I think your analysis of the vocals is spot on, from the influence or imitation of Elvis to the “warble“ (vibrato). I, personally, couldn’t get past the vocals. I think Ferry’s vibrato sounds like a bleating sheep. 🐑 5:27 ⭐️
Definitely an acquired taste. I think Ferry sounds much better here than on the debut album. On the debut his voice sounds thinner (bad production) and in parts the vibrato is subjectively overused.
"If There is Something" live from Viva Roxy Music perhaps
Grey Lagoons, Out of the Blue, Both ends burning. Maybe not better, but worth a listen. Thanks 😊
If there is something-by Roxy music
I love Roxy Music and normally love Brian Ferry's voice, saw him in concert many years ago, but his singing on some parts on this one reminds me of Dr Frank on Rocky Horror. And yes!!! Reminded me of Elvis too!
Manzanera's guitar was sometimes patched through Eno's "DEVICES", and Eno would manipulate and distort the guitar sound at his will. There is even a live video showing this taking place during the Manzanera solo In Every Dream Home a Heartache (Musikladen performance). It's AWESOME!!!
Nice pick. Awesome tune.
If there is something (live version) from VIVA! Roxy Music….. damn fine 😎
My all-time favorite Roxy Music song is 'To Turn You On' and it's the most romantic song I know.
Well tbh, on Side 2 of FYP are The Bogus Man and the title track, which, along with Mother of Pearl off Stranded, are probably my Top 3 Roxy songs...but i love the trio of early hits too (Virginia Plain, Pyjamarama, Street Life) 👍
In 1981 a band called Material….and the album with Bill Laswell and Fred Frith on bass and guitar was put out…..it changed the musical landscape quite a bit…..from start to finish….brilliant..they discovered a new language…..and to hear how it penetrated the coming future for decades is…..astounding……the way Roxy Music and Brian Eno changed it in the early 70s…..The way Pere Ubu changed it back in 77….. no one was listening to them though…..just a very few….my friends from Cleveland….such incredible musicians…who with my band Strange New Flesh….Pere Ubu….Tin Huey and Devo…played shows together that were simply astounding….unique…..and at Times brilliant…..we didn’t care what the audience thought…we were doing it for ourselves….with no want to become famous…….Devo fell into it without even looking for it……my band was a 3 piece all original progressive group with no vocals…Pere Ubu were always on the edge of a breakdown musically….it was always like listening to a nervous breakdown….just brilliant….this was in the disco era and we could have cared less about what people thought….we played for the sake of music…..shunned what the music industry thought of us….could have cared less….which gave us such artistic freedom……the same when Eno came out…or Roxy…..a fucking oboe in a rock band😊…..they played for themselves and created music on their own terms….it’s what I learned from those groups as a teenager…..integrity….honesty…..don’t listen to others and create what makes you smile.
Regarding Material you are probably referring to the excellent album Memory Serves but the band had already released a series of 12" EPs between 1979 and 81 (Temporary Music 1, Temporary Music 2 and American Songs) gathered later in the form of a compilation, a first time on Vinyl under the title Secret Life in 1986 then on CD in 1992 under the name Temporary Music (1979-1981). It is a superb series of pieces defying musical styles and genres mixing Jazz, Rock, Electronic, Post-punk/New-wave, Funk & Avantgarde, giving something very particular and unique.
the early Roxy albums with Eno are the best and yep every dream home a heartache is my favorite
I always found this song to be about jet setters being too important about themselves to actually make it work. I love it though
“Song for Europe” from Stranded
Mother of Pearl…..🙂👍
Love is the drug!!
I saw them in a smallish venue in Charlotte, in the '70s, when Eno was still with them, and he was wearing his wings.
He used to wear wings.
Great band and review! Big fan of "Avalon" and "To Turn You On". Also "Don't Stop the Dance".
Cheers!
Never a fan of this one. For RM, rather lacklustre I feel. Laborious too, excepting the little burst in the middle, but said burst isn't interesting enough to save this track for me. Re my fave, 'Ladytron', always. Andy M's oboe, sax work, sublime.
Eno often "treated" Phil's guitar.
I guess I'm more partial to their later material ... "Avalon" (title track) and "The Main Thing" are my favorites.
Yea, Beauty Queen AND Mother of Pearl are their 2 greatest songs i believe.
Got to be A Song for Europe for me and going straight into Mother of Pearl
My favourite roxy music song is Virginia plain and take a chance with me or sentimental fool
A really good song, for me this is the best period of Roxy Music. I can't hear Elvis here though.
'Beauty Queen' is the only song on 'For Your Pleasure' that I *don't* like. If you are interested in hearing something closer in spirit to 'In Every Dream Home A Heartache' I would go for "The Bogus Man' ( though that one goes on a bit. ) 'Bitter- Sweet', '2HB' and 'The Thrill of It All' are interesting as well imo.
On this track, at least live, it’s Andy Mackay playing the keyboard that is fed through Eno’s synth at the very opening of the track and then throughout the track. The woman in question is a bit of a hybrid. The locally non famous attractive girl. Valerie Leon and Marilyn Monroe. It’s one of my favourite tracks. It was one of the first tracks written by Ferry for this LP and early in the tracks construction Ferry was considering it for a single.
Roxy Music don't really have "deep cuts" as their catalogue is pretty compact, but a less well known song I've always loved is Three And Nine, from their 4th album Country Life. They're rightly renowned for being futuristic, but this song is unambiguously nostalgic. Great oboe work from Andy McKay.
In Every Dream Home A Heartache is my 2nd favorite Roxy song. You've already done my actual fave, Out Of The Blue. I'm also rather fond of Love Is The Drug, The Thrill Of It All, The Bogus Man, and Remake/Remodel
I've got a soft spot for their version of Neil Young's Like a Hurricane.
Certainly does evoke the 50’s high school prom feel, quite intentional. Nearly all songs on this album are very strong, though I agree Heartache is the standout. My favourite Roxy song is Amazona from Stranded (their third album). Just about perfect for me!
I love this track for the way it combines nostalgic singing with modern instrumentation: Ferry's crooning and the heavily processed Wurlitzer keyboard.
"In Every Dream Home..." succeeds on all levels but centers around Ferry's lyric imagery and delivery. A better song? Very hard to choose. "A Song For Europe" is powerful.
For albums you will find many people pointing to "Siren". It's a good album but not as good as its predecessor, "Country Life". For me, the masterpiece.
Try "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" It just Bryan Ferry for the soundtrack for Legend. Tangerine Dream wrote most of the music on the soundtrack (not that song, though) and there is a collaboration with Jon Anderson.
Yes of course. And guitar by David Gilmour. Yes again.
I like those songs, but Jerry Goldsmith originally did a fantastic score for the film which should not have been replaced. Thankfully, the film has been released unedited and with Goldsmith's score restored.
@@blackcatcentralmusic I have the special edition DVD set with both, the directors cut with Goldsmith soundtrack and US release version with TD soundtrack.
Hey Justin: first to answer your question - "Love Is The Drug" would be my choice. But since you are reacting to Beauty QUEEN, I am reminded that this Wednesday is the 30th anniversary of the passing of Freddie Mercury. It would be cool if on that day, or in the days and weeks afterwards you could pay tribute to the man by reacting to a side of a Queen LP written entirely by Freddie. Side Black of Queen II contains "Ogre Battle", "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke", "Nevermore", "The March of the Black Queen", "Funny How Love Is" and "The Seven Seas of Rhye" and it is an under appreciated masterpiece of music! And if not at this time, than maybe some day?? Peace out!
If you listen to "Hey Little Girl" by Icehouse, you could easily mistake it as Ferry.
Grey lagoons please 😏
A better song? A matter of taste. Maybe: A song for Europe, The Bogus Man or If there is Something. And Virginia Plain is a smash hit single!