The Jukebox Rebel

TJR presents… Top 10: The Undertones

TJR presents… Top 10: The Undertones

– 10-of-the-best from the Derry boys makes for a terrific listen.

• Runtime: 24m.
• Compiled from 275 collection entries @ 15-Oct-2019.
• Fantasy Album Rating: “A masterpiece”
• To access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube

“Thrill Me” by The Undertones (2003)
(John Joseph O’Neill)

“All-time classic” Punk
First out as a single in May, 2003. A one-off reunion became permanent, leading to invigorating new songs, with Paul McLoone cast as the new Feargal Sharkey. Excitedly, Peel played this 'un twice; just like old times!

“Smarter Than U” by The Undertones (1978)
(John Joseph O’Neill)

“All-time classic” Punk
From the “Teenage Kicks” EP in September, 1978. “I'm a little intellectual, Some one who knows it all, I could be your summer special, You could be my New York doll.” Ok, not as poetic as the famous title-track but, for me, just shades Teenage Kicks for pure pop-punk excitement.

“It’s Going To Happen” by The Undertones (1981)
(Michael Bradley, Damian O’Neill)

“All-time classic” New Wave
First out as a single in April, 1981. Headlong into the early 80s pop scene, this little beauty gave them their last Top 20 hit in the UK. Great video too, Humpty Dumpty guarding old Derry's walls there. I've only recently discovered this was partly about the IRA hunger strikes. Whut? They kept that well hidden.

“Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones (1978)
(John Joseph O’Neill)

“All-time classic” Punk
Debut single, serving as the lead track on the “Teenage Kicks” EP in September, 1978. Well, what can be said that hasn't already been said a million times? I think, for Peel, this lot were the epitome of his raison d'etre, and he came to look upon them symbolically. Like he did with many others, he took them as a pet project close to his heart, and was pleased that he was able to play an important part in giving them a lift up from the garage to the nation's consciousness. “I was driving up to see Liverpool play and I was in a traffic jam round Stoke-on-Trent, I think, and I heard Peter Powell play the Undertones' 'Teenage Kicks' which I'd been playing for months, but to hear it played by someone else was a stupendous thing and I actually burst into floods of tears in the traffic jam - I'll try not to cry now…” ~ John Peel, Desert Island Discs, 1990. Giving it 28 stars in his 5 stars system spoke volumes and the enscription on his tombstone encapsulated the spirit of his life's work: “Teenage dreams so hard to beat”.

“Get Over You” by The Undertones (1979)
(John Joseph O’Neill)

“All-time classic” Punk
The second single released in January, 1979. There was only one thing more ridiculous than band’s from Dunfermline and Coventry making it big in ’79 – a band from Derry was doing the same. This was the wonderful new DIY age; a time when even random street urchins sporting welfare parkas could break-on-through. Top of the Pops!

“Emergency Cases” by The Undertones (1978)
(John Joseph O’Neill)

“Classic” Punk
From the “Teenage Kicks” EP in September, 1978. And what an amazing EP that was; 4 tracks, all killer, no filler. “999 time is a waste of time, uh-uh!”

“Here Comes The Summer” by The Undertones (1979)
(John Joseph O’Neill)

“Classic” Punk
First out as a single in July, 1979. This faster (superior) single version replaced the original May 'issue 1' LP version when 'issue 2' of the debut LP came out later in 1979.

“True Confessions” by The Undertones (1978)
(John Joseph O’Neill, Michael Bradley, Damian O’Neill)

“Classic” Punk
From the “Teenage Kicks” EP in September, 1978. All the years in the garage paid off by the time of their storming debut EP, as evidenced here on this super-smart bouncy-stomper. The 4th classic on their amazing opening statement.

“You’ve Got My Number (Why Don’t You Use It?)” by The Undertones (1979)
(John Joseph O’Neill)

“Classic” New Wave
First out as a single in September, 1979. This demented classic wasn't on any of the first two albums but they named their tour after it, a surefire status symbol.

“Mars Bars” by The Undertones (1979)
(Michael Bradley, Damian O’Neill)

“Classic” Punk
B-side to “Jimmy Jimmy” in April, 1979. They're having a laugh; skinny Feargal and his chocolate fetish strike again! “To Patrick Moore and David Bowie, And all the other stars, There's evidence here to show, That there's life on Mars.” Please note, no actual plates were harmed in the making of this record.

TJR presents… Top 10: The Undertones (via Spotify)

• Runtime: 24m.
• To access shuffle-play or overcome other issues with the embed application, it might be best playing directly via Spotify