Thanks for doing this video Richard! Squeeze is my favorite band, so I loved hearing people talk about them. They deserved more attention than they got. I agree with most people that their classic period 1979-1982 is full of great songs, but there are some good things on all their albums. I like the Difford and Tilbrook album a lot, Man For All Seasons is my favorite song on that album. I really like the Play album, with Letting Go being my favorite song from it. Within These Walls is a great B-side that had Steve Nieve playing some great piano on it!!
Thanks for this posting Richard! Love their singles, especially 79’ - 82’, but after listening to you & James praise them I must investigate the album’s more. Great video, as always!
I agree heartily that people who choose to have only a hits compilation are missing out on a lot of fantastic music. I remember buying the “UK Squeeze” (as they had to be billed in the States) album when it appeared on shelves during my freshman year of college. Talk about a band whose songwriting progressed rapidly! The Difford/Tilbrook songwriting partnership is one of the greats. Argybargy is my favorite, as well. Saw them many years ago; they were touring the East Side Story album, if I recall correctly. I’ve not heard their latest two albums, so will need to get caught up with them. Thanks for shedding light on a band who deserved much more commercial success than they received. Cheers from Minnesota!
If one thinks about it, Squeeze hasn’t sounded like Squeeze since Argy Bargy. I actually prefer their later albums. The growth and maturity of Tilbrook/Difford is undeniable. Listen to Roxy Music and tell me their songs haven’t changed. My favorite Squeeze Albums: U.K.Squeeze/East side story/Sweets from a stranger/Some fantastic place/Argy Bargy/. Probably pissed off a lot people with my list, but absolutely adore this band. I also think their solo albums are very good as well. With Squeeze, I really think it’s just maturity. We can’t he 20 years old forever.
Great work Richard, I think you hit the nail on the head when you referenced the albums' lack of commercial success, which I think does play into this erroneous idea that they were 'a singles band' first and foremost. You've only got to look at the sheer number of albums they made (and how many were really good) to establish that the idea is complete bunk. Btw, I'm sure you probably do know this, but a couple of times you mentioned the songs written by Jools Holland, but apart from Dr Jazz, all the songs he sang for Squeeze were by Difford/Holland. The one major thing I disagree with you on in this video is Goodbye Girl being the best song on CFT....I think that's Up the Junction, no contest. The one thing I was never keen on about Goodbye Girl was that it sounded like The Muppet Show theme. Thanks for the book plug!
Cheers James, Yea, I knew the Holland songs had lyrics by Difford. I really should have mentioned that. I must give the Muppet Show tune a listen to see the similarity to Goodbye Girl. I just love that song and it's fantastic live.
@@CookieMusic43 The verse bits ("It's time to put on make-up") are identical to the verses of GG ('I met her in a bar room"). Tilbrook was reportedly mortified when someone pointed it out to him.
Will have to track down a copy of your book, James! Update: It was available on Amazon here in the States. My copy is on it’s way. Looking forward to it!
Thanks for my Squeeze buying guide. I have a few of their albums including their hits release, but I am always on the lookout. I also recently picked up James Griffiths' book but have not started it yet. I'm missing two of the top three, so I better get crackin'. At least I have number one. Wonderful ranking as always.
Thanks Randy, if you like Argy Bargy you'll certainly like Cool For Cats and especially East Side Story. P.S. I enjoyed your livestream with Larry Graves etc last night
Superb album ranking Richard; I know you a massive Squeeze fan and I loved your singles ranking video a couple of year ago 😀👍 I nearly finished reading James’ book which I’ve really enjoyed; I will be going back to their studio catalogue soon; ‘Play’ & ‘Frank’ are great underrated albums; love ‘Argybargy’; even the debut I get a kick out of 😀🍺🎶
Thanks Sam, I notice I diodn't mention one of hy favourites from the debut album , Out of Control. I agree that Frank and Play are underrated. Really pleased you are enjoying James' book!
Always in my opinion a better singles band than albums but my top 5 are... 1 - East Side Story 2 - Cool For Cats 3 - Squeeze (First Album) 4 - Argybargy 5 - Some Fantastic Place. Most of the others had their moments but the above five albums are the ones i can listen to from beginning to end. If you haven't done this already hopefully you will do an XTC worst to best albums & this was another great video Richard.
one of the worlds most under-rated bands, ever. Completely agree with your top three. Argy Bargy is in my top ten albums of all time. And I have the vinyl here with me now.
Hi Richard, I think "Sweets From A Stranger" is a really good album too with some strong songs.Also love "East Side Story" particularly "Women's World" and "Piccadilly"."F Hole" has really clever lyrics.Really surprised how poorly some of their albums fared in the charts though. Good video again Cheers Ian
Nice one Richard, just what I needed, It's been Squeeze and go gos for me recently, it was interesting to know where you ranked their post Frank albums, as the only later album I listened to was Cradle to the grave when it came out.
Thanks Sean, it was about this time last year I was completely besotted by The Go Go's. I did a video back then. In fact, I think I'll give their debut a spin tonight
great fan from the debut thru cool for cats then my personal fav argybargy but 2nd is play - i could go on butillove them all - some fantastic place , east side story ...
Thanks for doing this video Richard! Squeeze is my favorite band, so I loved hearing people talk about them. They deserved more attention than they got. I agree with most people that their classic period 1979-1982 is full of great songs, but there are some good things on all their albums. I like the Difford and Tilbrook album a lot, Man For All Seasons is my favorite song on that album. I really like the Play album, with Letting Go being my favorite song from it. Within These Walls is a great B-side that had Steve Nieve playing some great piano on it!!
Thanks for the great comment Adam. I ranked their singles a couple of years ago if you would like to check that out
Thanks for this posting Richard!
Love their singles, especially 79’ - 82’, but after listening to you & James praise them I must investigate the album’s more.
Great video, as always!
Cheers Phil, I'm sure you'll enjoy the albums that are high on my list
I agree heartily that people who choose to have only a hits compilation are missing out on a lot of fantastic music. I remember buying the “UK Squeeze” (as they had to be billed in the States) album when it appeared on shelves during my freshman year of college. Talk about a band whose songwriting progressed rapidly! The Difford/Tilbrook songwriting partnership is one of the greats. Argybargy is my favorite, as well. Saw them many years ago; they were touring the East Side Story album, if I recall correctly. I’ve not heard their latest two albums, so will need to get caught up with them. Thanks for shedding light on a band who deserved much more commercial success than they received. Cheers from Minnesota!
Thanks E. I do think 1978-1982 really is their golden period although every albuim has something to offer
If one thinks about it, Squeeze hasn’t sounded like Squeeze since Argy Bargy. I actually prefer their later albums. The growth and maturity of Tilbrook/Difford is undeniable. Listen to Roxy Music and tell me their songs haven’t changed. My favorite Squeeze Albums: U.K.Squeeze/East side story/Sweets from a stranger/Some fantastic place/Argy Bargy/. Probably pissed off a lot people with my list, but absolutely adore this band. I also think their solo albums are very good as well. With Squeeze, I really think it’s just maturity. We can’t he 20 years old forever.
Great work Richard, I think you hit the nail on the head when you referenced the albums' lack of commercial success, which I think does play into this erroneous idea that they were 'a singles band' first and foremost. You've only got to look at the sheer number of albums they made (and how many were really good) to establish that the idea is complete bunk. Btw, I'm sure you probably do know this, but a couple of times you mentioned the songs written by Jools Holland, but apart from Dr Jazz, all the songs he sang for Squeeze were by Difford/Holland. The one major thing I disagree with you on in this video is Goodbye Girl being the best song on CFT....I think that's Up the Junction, no contest. The one thing I was never keen on about Goodbye Girl was that it sounded like The Muppet Show theme. Thanks for the book plug!
Cheers James, Yea, I knew the Holland songs had lyrics by Difford. I really should have mentioned that. I must give the Muppet Show tune a listen to see the similarity to Goodbye Girl. I just love that song and it's fantastic live.
@@CookieMusic43 The verse bits ("It's time to put on make-up") are identical to the verses of GG ('I met her in a bar room"). Tilbrook was reportedly mortified when someone pointed it out to him.
Will have to track down a copy of your book, James! Update: It was available on Amazon here in the States. My copy is on it’s way. Looking forward to it!
@@purple-browedbeep54 Thankyou!
Personal favorites : East Side Story, Argy Bargy, Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti and the Difford & Tilbrook album.
Thanks for my Squeeze buying guide. I have a few of their albums including their hits release, but I am always on the lookout. I also recently picked up James Griffiths' book but have not started it yet. I'm missing two of the top three, so I better get crackin'. At least I have number one. Wonderful ranking as always.
Thanks Randy, if you like Argy Bargy you'll certainly like Cool For Cats and especially East Side Story.
P.S. I enjoyed your livestream with Larry Graves etc last night
Superb album ranking Richard; I know you a massive Squeeze fan and I loved your singles ranking video a couple of year ago 😀👍 I nearly finished reading James’ book which I’ve really enjoyed; I will be going back to their studio catalogue soon; ‘Play’ & ‘Frank’ are great underrated albums; love ‘Argybargy’; even the debut I get a kick out of 😀🍺🎶
Thanks Sam, I notice I diodn't mention one of hy favourites from the debut album , Out of Control. I agree that Frank and Play are underrated. Really pleased you are enjoying James' book!
I've been watching the official "Cool for Cats" video since you posted this Richard!
I love that video Paul, with the two girls dancing around Chris!
In fact I'm going to watch it now!
@@CookieMusic43 Don't forget there are 2 versions!
Yes, 'Bonkers' from Domino is a great tune! I wish I could find the chords for it so I can play it on the guitar.
Always in my opinion a better singles band than albums but my top 5 are...
1 - East Side Story
2 - Cool For Cats
3 - Squeeze (First Album)
4 - Argybargy
5 - Some Fantastic Place.
Most of the others had their moments but the above five albums are the ones i can listen to from beginning to end. If you haven't done this already hopefully you will do an XTC worst to best albums & this was another great video Richard.
Cheers Stevie, an XTC ranking video is on the cards but I really need to go through them all again especially the later ones
Never heard of Squeeze,but I do quite like the artwork on the albums,I'll give them a listen sir
The song Tempted (not my favourite) from East Side Story is probably their most well known song in the states
@@CookieMusic43 I'll check it out
After listening to temptation I have heard it before,just not sure when,so far what I've listened to I like Hourglasses the most
@@fyrbornxtg5000 Another Nail In My Heart is my favourite single from them. It has an awesome guitar solo in the middle
one of the worlds most under-rated bands, ever. Completely agree with your top three. Argy Bargy is in my top ten albums of all time. And I have the vinyl here with me now.
Argy Bargy has always been my favourite.
@@CookieMusic43 vicky verky is in my top 10 songs of all time too. Its the perfect pop song.
@@jabbathehut656 I look at it as Up The Junction pt. 2 and actually prefer it to Up The Junction.
Hi Richard, I think "Sweets From A Stranger" is a really good album too with some strong songs.Also love "East Side Story" particularly "Women's World" and "Piccadilly"."F Hole" has really clever lyrics.Really surprised how poorly some of their albums fared in the charts though. Good video again Cheers Ian
Thanks Ian, I never connected with F-Hole and I think Womnan's WOrld is my favourite but forgot to mention it! Typical!
Nice one Richard, just what I needed, It's been Squeeze and go gos for me recently, it was interesting to know where you ranked their post Frank albums, as the only later album I listened to was Cradle to the grave when it came out.
Thanks Sean, it was about this time last year I was completely besotted by The Go Go's. I did a video back then. In fact, I think I'll give their debut a spin tonight
@@CookieMusic43 👍
great fan from the debut thru cool for cats then my personal fav argybargy but 2nd is play - i could go on butillove them all - some fantastic place , east side story ...
We agree on their best album, John. An excellent band that are more than just a hits band
Great review Richard.
Cheers George
Hooray, you did it!
Just to say James; I nearly finished your book and really have enjoyed it; great work mate and I will be revisiting their albums soon 😀🍺🎶
better late than never lol
Just what I need
glad to be of service lol
2 minutes before it starts....