Welcome to the last Midweek Song List of August — and what a month it’s been. As ever, our readers keep us on our toes. At the start of August, one long‑time follower reminded us of the 80th anniversary of the King David Hotel bombing in Jerusalem. The same reader has now added another grim footnote: Menachem Begin — later Prime Minister of Israel — was also responsible for the kidnapping and hanging of two young British sergeants, Clifford Martin and Mervyn Paice, in July 1947. Both men were unarmed, off‑duty, and simply visiting a café. Their bodies were later strung up in a eucalyptus grove with a booby‑trap mine set beneath them. Our reader believes both men were from Belfast and hopes to confirm more details soon.
With that sombre history lesson out of the way, let’s lift the mood with our traditional mixed bag of music — a selection that goes out midweek on Facebook and later appears on our website in a slightly different written style, but always with the same eclectic choices.
THE SONGS
2e REP – “Le Diable Marche Avec Nous”
If “Le Boudin” is the Foreign Legion’s famous march, then this is its darker, more aggressive cousin. “Le Diable Marche Avec Nous” (“The Devil Walks With Us”) is associated with the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment — the elite airborne unit forged in Indochina, Algeria and later Chad. The song’s origins lie in Legion folklore: hard marching, brutal campaigns, and the idea that the regiment carries its own demons into battle. Musically, it’s a driving, percussive chant — the kind that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck even if your French is as bad as ours.
Cocteau Twins – “Evangeline”
Released in 1993, “Evangeline” is one of the Cocteau Twins’ most shimmering dream‑pop creations. Elizabeth Fraser’s vocals — half‑lyric, half‑incantation — float over Robin Guthrie’s lush guitar textures. The band formed in Grangemouth in 1979 and became pioneers of ethereal, atmospheric music. “Evangeline” captures their mature sound: wistful, weightless, and emotionally ambiguous. A perfect contrast to the military thunder of the Legion.
Criminal Class – “Fighting The System”
A slice of raw, early‑80s British Oi! from Coventry. Criminal Class formed in 1979 and were part of the second wave of street‑punk bands. “Fighting The System” is exactly what it says on the tin: a snarling, defiant anthem built on chanted vocals and driving bass. It’s rough, uncompromising, and politically charged — a reminder of the era when punk was still dangerous.
The Kinks – “Sunny Afternoon”
Released in 1966, this Ray Davies classic is one of the great British pop songs of the decade. Written during a period of tax disputes and personal frustration, Davies channels his irritation into a lazy, sun‑drenched melody. The track topped the UK charts and became a defining moment in The Kinks’ shift toward more observational, character‑driven songwriting. A timeless tune that still feels like a cold drink on a hot day.
Ocean Colour Scene – “The Day We Caught The Train”
From their 1996 breakthrough album Moseley Shoals, this Britpop anthem remains one of OCS’s most beloved songs. It’s nostalgic, melodic, and full of that mid‑90s optimism. The track reached No. 4 in the UK charts and helped cement the band’s place in the Britpop landscape. A perfect sing‑along for late summer.
Robyn – “Always”
Robyn has spent decades redefining pop music, and “Always” is another example of her ability to blend melancholy with dance‑floor energy. Released in 2020 as part of her collaboration with Yaeji, it’s a shimmering electronic track built on repetition, longing, and Robyn’s unmistakable emotional clarity. Modern pop at its most elegant.
Social Distortion – “Ring Of Fire”
Johnny Cash’s 1963 classic gets a punk‑rock makeover courtesy of Social Distortion. Their 1990 cover is louder, faster, and full of swagger — yet still respectful of the original’s melody. Social Distortion formed in 1978 and remain one of America’s most enduring punk bands. Their live shows are legendary, and this track is often a highlight.
Sol Heilo – “Rock Paper Scissors”
Norwegian multi‑instrumentalist Sol Heilo (formerly of Katzenjammer) released this track in 2017. It’s quirky, melodic, and full of her trademark folk‑pop inventiveness. The song blends vulnerability with playfulness, using the childhood game as a metaphor for emotional conflict. A beautifully crafted piece of Scandinavian songwriting.
The Dead Flowers Graves – “Prophetia”
Italian doom metal with atmosphere to spare. The Dead Flowers Graves formed in 2017 and specialise in slow, heavy, ritualistic soundscapes. “Prophetia” is a perfect example: deep riffs, funereal pacing, and a sense of looming dread. Doom metal at its finest — and yes, we’re getting more into it as we get older and slower.
The Valvetones – “The Chance I’ll Have To Take”
A modern rockabilly track with classic 1950s DNA. The Valvetones channel the spirit of Sun Records — slap‑back echo, upright bass, and heartfelt vocals. “The Chance I’ll Have To Take” is a bittersweet love song built on simple, effective storytelling. A gem for fans of vintage‑style Americana.
Kanye West – “Heartless”
Released in 2008 on 808s & Heartbreak, “Heartless” marked a major shift in Kanye’s sound. Built on auto‑tuned vocals and minimalist production, the track explores loneliness, betrayal, and emotional numbness. It became one of his biggest hits and influenced a generation of artists who embraced vulnerability in hip‑hop.
White Lion – “Broken Heart”
A classic slice of 1980s glam metal. White Lion formed in 1983 and blended melodic hooks with big guitar solos. “Broken Heart” first appeared on their 1985 debut and was later re‑recorded in 1991. It’s pure hair‑metal drama: soaring vocals, emotional lyrics, and a chorus built for arenas. A perfect counterpoint to the doom metal earlier in the list.
CONCLUSION
That wraps up the final Midweek Song List of August. As always, this selection goes out first on Facebook midweek — raw, immediate, conversational — and later appears on our website with a slightly different write‑up but the same eclectic mix. Thanks to everyone who sends suggestions, history lessons, and musical rabbit holes. Keep them coming.
See you in September.
