My favorite 80’s song that Molly and the Ringwalds will never cover is Faron Young by Prefab Sprout, on their 1985 release Steve McQueen. That album was produced by Thomas Dolby, one of the best producers of the 80’s, IMHO. Apparently, SPIN magazine called the album one of the 30 best of all time.
When Love Breaks Down was a more popular song from the album, but the jangly Faron Young was always my favorite.
Listen in – faron.mp3
Antiques!
Every other sentiment’s an antique
As obsolete as warships in the baltic
I’m driving on a straight road it never alters
And the radio serenades but doesn’t falter You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer paper spoons and bubble gumLate sky
Like an all night radio station
Without morning
Like stumbling on pearl harbor
Without warningYou offer infrared instead of sun
You offer bubble gumYou give me faron young four in the morning
You give me faron young four in the morning
Every mother’s son’s romantic
Every mother’s son’s frantic!The sunset makes a fence out of the forest
But here i am with head inside the bonnet
I’ve lost just what it takes to be honestYou offer infrared instead of sun
You offer bubble gumYou give me faron young four in the morning
You give me faron young four in the morning
Forgive me faron young four in the morning
Forgive me faron young four in the morning
Just for good measure, here’s Hello Walls, by Faron Young. (a bit static-y from the official fan website)
-b