Union City Blue

You always remember where and when you bought your first records, even if you can't recall what you went into the bloody kitchen for yesterday. I was ten years old and adored Blondie. I can't recall how much I paid for it, from my hard earned pocket money, but feels like only yesterday I bought Union City Blue from Woolworths in East Kilbride. I still have the 7" to this day and still love it. The sheer unadulterated joy of coming home from EK town centre and popping the needle onto those grooves has never left me. There's something still magical and timeless about it. Doubtful I thought this at the time, but it is a pretty melancholy tune. The song explores themes of urban disillusionment and the struggles of everyday life in a city that never sleeps and does so beautifully, with a melody to die for. 

There is always going to be something special about first records and this one for me is still very special. I was a tad too young to see Blondie live in their heyday but have been fortunate to have seen them a few times over the years and this track sends me right back to being that ten year old boy buying his first single. Nothing against downloads but does sadden me that many youngsters today have not experienced that joy of buying their first records.