Posts Tagged Top Of The Pops

Songlist Special: Songs That Captured the Spirit of The Old Grey Whistle Test (Part2) 

September 2, 2026 at 3:56 pm · Filed under Music, Songlist Special, Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to another Songlist Special which effectively pays homage to The Old Grey Whistle Test.   

 Usually known as OGWT (and from 1983 simply Whistle Test) it’s probably no exaggeration to say that it was the most important music programme on UK TV.  Aired on BBC2 from 1971 to 1988, it attracted studious music lovers who wanted thoughtful analysis & interviews.  Album-oriented rock and ‘serious’ music was the order of the day.  (None of this was available on the BBCs main music programme Top Of The Pops – TOTP.) 

In future issues we’ll look at how the OGWT got its name and examine its roots and history.  We’ll also feature its presenters, including the iconic ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris. 

We’ll end by saying something that’s probably regarded as ‘controversial’ & not too popular these days. And that’s giving credit to the BBC for keeping the programme on air for so long.  For 17 glorious years the OGWT brought us an eclectic mix of musical genres, including rock, folk, reggae, progressive rock, punk, new wave, and more.   

 Will we see another music TV series like it ever again? 

 

THE SONGS 

 

The Damned – Smash it Up 

 The Damned made history when they became the first UK punk band to release a single – New Rose in 1976 – and an album – Damned Damned Damned in 1977 – and tour the US in spring, 1977. 

Here we feature their 1979 single Smash it Up (taken from their album Machine Gun Etiquette).  Their performance – rooted in glorious chaos, irreverence, raw energy & unpredictability – sums up punk.   

 

 Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama 

Lynyrd Skynyrd epitomise Southern rock, which is rooted in rock and roll, blues & country (but perfectly blended with elements of gospel, soul, and sometimes even jazz).  Sweet Home Alabama is an iconic homage to their homeland.  It’s a remarkable song as it’s instantly recognisable from the off. 

As free thinkers & non-conformists we love the ‘rebel spirit’ of Southern rock. Lynyrd Skynyrd are unapologetic & proud of their identity.  As we’ve noted many times before, all art forms must be free to provoke, unsettle, and challenge.  They certainly do this when they display the Battle Flag of the Army of Tennessee! 

 

Talking Heads – Psycho Killer 

Psycho Killer is another track that’s instantly recognisable due to its simple yet very distinctive bass intro.  Written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth in 1974 (when they were known as The Artistics) it’s an attempt to get inside the head of a “psycho killer” — portraying the character’s hysteria, detachment, and internal conflict.  

Talking Heads were a fascinating band.  Emerging from the New York punk scene they’re seen as pioneers of new wave, post punk and art rock.  We’re not too sure if this does them justice – they must be one of the most innovative & genre defying bands we’ve ever come across. 

 

Teardrop Explodes – Reward 

 The Teardrop Explodes were formed in Liverpool in 1978.  Described as post-punk/neo-psychedelic band they were fronted by the eccentric Julian Cope.  Cope is also an author and political/cultural activist.  

The band were short lived (1978–1982) but very influential.  They’re credited with reviving 1960s-inspired psychedelia & have been referenced by Blur, Morrissey and Inspiral Carpets. 

  

Gary Numan – My Name is Ruin & Are Friends Electric? 

We featured the original version – from the late 70s – of Are Friends Electric? in our first OGWT Special. It was very raw with a pounding bassline & later made history by becoming the UKs first synthesizer-based number one hit.  

The version we have here is much more polished.  Gary Numan is not as robotic.  My Name is Ruin – in particular – shows how far this electronic pioneer his come as a performer & songwriter.  

  

Police – Can’t Stand Losing You

During the late 70s/early 80s, the Police never seemed to be off the TV or radio.  Their line up was Gordon Sumner (better known as Sting) on lead vocals & bass guitar, Andy Summers on guitar & Stewart Copeland on drums.  Together they managed to weave elements of punk, reggae, new wave, jazz, and pop into a distinctive sound. 

Can’t Stand Losing You featured on their debut album Outlandos d’Amour (which was released in 1978) and was released as a single in August of the same year.  The song is written from the perspective of a teenage boy who is so devastated by a breakup that he contemplates or commits suicide.  

  

Patti Smith Group – Because the Night

Patti Smith is an American singer, songwriter, poet, author, and visual artist (mainly drawings & photography). Universally known as the “Godmother of Punk” she fused rock ‘n’ roll with poetry & and was very influential in the 1970s New York punk scene.  Artists & bands such as Madonna, Michael Stipe (lead singer of alternative rock band R.E.M.), U2, Hole & Florence Welch lead singer of the indie rock band Florence + the Machine) all cite her as an influence. 

Because the Night is about the all-consuming nature of love & reflects Smith’s feelings for her boyfriend (and future husband) Fred “Sonic” Smith.  It’s probably her best-known song & has an anthem-like feel to it – which is not surprising as Brue Springsteen wrote the music and chorus! 

 

Supertramp – Dreamer 

 We just love the way Dreamer combines dreamy – almost ethereal – sequences with heavier moments.  Roger Hodgson’s distinctive vocals & the band’s harmonies all add to a memorable track. 

Founded in 1970, Supertramp found fame with the release of their third album, Crime of the Century (in 1974).  It uniquely blended their traditional progressive rock sound with that of pop. Dreamer is an excellent example of this sound, which has certainly stood the test of time. 

 

Thin Lizzy – Don’t Believe A Word 

This version of Don’t Believe A Word is really different to the one most people are used to.  Here, Phil Lynott shares lead vocals with Gary Moore.  It’s also far slower & heavily influenced by the blues.   

However, it does grow in intensity & speed. This reveals the heavy rock sound of Thin Lizzy that most of us are familiar with. 

 

The Who – Long Live Rock

 Formed in 1964, The Who progressed from the pop art & mod subcultures to become an English rock institution.  Their classic line up consisted of Roger Daltrey (lead singer), Pete Townshend (lead guitar), John Entwistle (bass). and Keith Moon (drums). 

 Long Live Rock was recorded in 1972.  However, it didn’t appear until 1974 on the album Odds & Sods (which consisted of 11 studio outtakes).  The band’s OGWT performance epitomised their energetic & sometimes frantic style. 

 

 

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Cover Versions: Metallica – Whiskey In The Jar  

November 9, 2021 at 6:25 pm · Filed under Music ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

COVER VERSIONS.  Some you love & some you hate.  Many of us could probably name plenty of cover versions that have completely ruined a great, if not iconic, song.  But this isn’t about songs that have been ruined – although that might be the subject for one or two Counter Culture reviews sometime in the near future!  On the contrary, this is about a cover version that, in my honest and humble opinion, is better than the original.  

To my mind, one of the best cover versions ever has got to be Metallica’s reworking of the Thin Lizzy classic, Whiskey In The Jar.  And one of the best live performances of it is this from the House of Vans, in London from 18th November 2016.  

Metallica performing in 2017. Picture from: Kreepin Deth, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Before we start to look at Metallica’s masterful version of this classic, it’ll probably be useful to provide a little background information about the song itself.  As some folks may know, Whiskey In The Jar is a traditional Irish song, thought to have been written in the 17th century.  The song itself is set in the southern mountains of Ireland – there are specific mentions of the Cork & Kerry mountains – and tells the tale of a highwayman who is betrayed by his wife or lover.  

The Dubliners, an Irish folk band, were probably the first group to really make the song popular.  Indeed, they included it on at least two albums – More of the Hard Stuff & Live at the Albert Hall– during the 1960s.   

Whiskey In The Jar has been covered by everyone from The Seekers to Bryan Adams.  However, the first version I ever heard was by the Dublin-based rock band Thin Lizzy who really brought it to prominence to my generation when their record company – Decca– released it in November 1972  

I have a very eclectic taste in music – and art in general – but have been into heavy metal & rock since my early teens.  My memory’s not as sharp as it was, but I’ve a vague notion that I’d seen Lizzy performingWhiskey In The Jar on TV.  I presume that this would’ve been on Top Of The Pops, which in those days was essential viewing for anyone interested in music.

Like most people, I was instantly hooked on the song – especially by the crisp & intricate introduction played by Belfast-born lead guitarist, Eric Bell.  Hopefully, this clip from 1973 will illustrate his musical prowess.

(Bell was one-third of Lizzy.  The other two were Brian Downey on drums & probably the most famous of all, Phil Lynott, who was the main songwriter, lead vocalist, and bassist.)  

Years later Bell showed that he’d lost none of his skill when he appeared with Gary Moore– a songwriter & former guitarist with Thin Lizzy.  Billed as Gary Moore and Friends: One Night in Dublin – A Tribute to Phil Lynott one of the highlights included Bell playing on this version of Whiskey In The Jar. 

Now that we’ve got what amounts to the history of Whiskey In The Jar out of the way, it’s time to examine what makes Metallica’sversion just so perfect.  

Metallica was formed in 1981 by main songwriter, vocalist & rhythm guitarist James Hetfield& drummer Lars Ulrich.  Both featured on Whiskey In The Jar alongside along lead guitarist Kirk Hammett& bassist Jason Newsted.  (Newsted was replaced by Robert Trujillo in 2003 & other former members include Cliff Burton, Ron McGovney & Dave Mustaine of Megadeth fame.)  

Whiskey In The Jar was actually the 21st single released by Metallica and featured on their 1998 covers album Garage Inc. The idea behind the album was to feature songs by artists that have influenced the band.  In addition to Thin Lizzy, it features covers of tracks from the likes of Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult & Lynyrd Skynyrd.  

So what makes Metallica’s version of Whiskey In The Jar just so perfect?  

For me it’s the way that they’ve taken a classic track, put their distinctive stamp on it, and made it even better than it was before.  For those into heavy music, there’s no getting away from the fact that Lizzy is most usually associated with Whiskey In The Jar – and rightly so.  However, there’s no mistaking that this version has Metallica written all over it.  

Earlier I mentioned that the introduction to Thin Lizzy’s Whiskey In The Jar had me & many others instantly hooked.  The same could be said of Metallica’sversion – although both versions are completely different!  Indeed, Metallica did away completely with Lizzy’s‘crisp & intricate’ intro & dive straight into the song itself.  

Despite the lack of a distinctive – almost iconic – intro, as soon as I heard Metallica open the song with a thumping ‘dun, dun, dun’ I was captivated.  I’ve absolutely loved their version from the very first time I heard it.  Every time I hear it, I find myself both headbanging – although, due to old age, it’s more of a slightly vigorous nod these days – and wishing that I could play any sort of instrument.  (Singing would be an extra bonus, but I gave up on that one years ago.)  

One of the things I love about Metallica’s version is that it’s just so powerful.  I’m wondering if that’s simply because they’re a much heavier band than Lizzywere – or is there something else to it?  To me, the combined & unrelenting beat created by Robert Trujillo on bass & Lars Ulrich on drums gives it the edge.  I also think James Hetfield has an earthier – maybe even more passionate – voice than Phil Lynott had.  Hetfield’s voice is very distinctive & is well suited to the song.  

Another thing I really like about the Metallica version can be seen at the gig that was mentioned earlier –  Here, I absolutely love Hetfield’s guitar solo (starting at around 2.55) which is completely different from the Lizzy original & his later interaction with the crowd who are clapping and chanting along with him.  

For me, therefore, Metallica have made Whiskey In The Jar their own and their version is simply by far the better version.  

Reviewed by John Field   

O  CHECK OUT the lyrics to Whiskey In The Jar here. 

O  COUNTER CULTURE would really be interested to hear the views of our readers relating to the Thin Lizzy v. Metallica versions of Whiskey In The Jar.  We’d also be interested to know what you think about cover versions in general.  Are there any that improve on the original – and are there any that absolutely butcher the original?  

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