Rude Awakenings

Every morning I wake up to the sounds of a local radio station, one which specialises in playing dance, pop and the sort of music the young people listen to. So this morning my alarm went off and as I was lying there collecting my thoughts I started to listen to a girl singing the quite dancey pop song they were playing:

Look at me standing
Here on my own again
Up straight in the sunshine...

A sinking feeling started to wash over me...

No need to run, and hide
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to cry, and hide
It's a wonderful, wonderful life

My next thought, 'Oh no, they DIDN'T! One of my favourite songs of the 80's It's A Wonderful Life by Black, desecrated. I know I sound like I'm being precious, but hear me out.

Now, to comprehend my problem with this version you have to understand that the original was a) sung by a young man who just went by the name 'Black', b) was sung in a slow, low, almost tender manner c) had a beautiful simple backing track and d) the album cover featured a black & white pic of him alone on a rainy street. You see, it was all about the irony. It was like a depressive saying "Oh yeah, life's just great."

And no, I don't know who the new version is by. But she needs a slap.