G Stands for Go-Betweens - Top 40 Countdown

With the collected box set of the Go-Betweens early recordings a couple of months from my doorstep I thought I'd start a Top 40 countdown of my favourite songs. Utterly subjective of course and I've no doubt missed some great songs or not included some because I can't find a Youtube link. I've only included selections from their Seventies and Eighties heyday as I don't have all of their recordings from when they reformed though much of it is well worth investigating. Five a week 'til the box set arrives. I'll indicate the singer of each song though to some degree many of them were collaborative efforts.

40. I Just Get Caught Out (Robert)

 

'Out again tonight. Through these moonlit streets. We need a room. But there is no room.'

 

From 1987's Tallulah. quite a slight song by their standards but assured pop music and great harmonies.

 

39. Hammer The Hammer (Grant)

 

'He says what he wants, he stands up. She says what she thinks, she gives up.Her times up it won't change.'

 

1982 Rough Trade single. Angular and uncompromising.

 

38. Your Turn My Turn (Robert)

 

'Same place, some grace. Your turn, my turn. Stand it, stand it. Something involving a lie.Something between you and I. The light fades away. And the day turns to gray. And you say.'

Another early song. From Send Me A Lullaby. They sounded like no-one else at this point. I'd also recommend Eight Pictures from this record.

 

37. You've Never Lived (Robert)

 

'The risk was hers, every bit hers; I gave her this warning. Never love a man who has no sister, clings to your breast. Only you know him.'

From 1984's Spring Hill Fair. The record I first discovered them by.

 

36. Twin Layers Of Lightning (Robert)

 

 

'She walks me home
There's a Mercedes parked in our street
So we stop and we discuss
Who on earth the owner could be that's just like me

I'd evade waking up
If the alarm wouldn't ring
I'd walk into quick sand
If I knew how far I'd sink

Twin layers of trouble
Two times that might
Twin layers of lightning
Both of us can strike

We went into a club, bouncers got no brains
He said both of you are barred
I had to set him straight
Listen Jack, don't you know, I'm a star

Twin layers of trouble
Two times that might
Twin layers of lightning
Both of us can strike

Some people have no money
While other people have no tact
If they invite us around
Well, they're going to get a double act

We scream and we shout
And then we love and we turn
Then we set a chair on fire
And we watch the whole house burn

Twin layers of trouble
Two times that might
Twin layers of lightning
Both of us can strike

It's written in big letters
Graffiti all over town
It says, "Troublemakers on the run"
And both our names are written down

Oh, but infamy or fame
Each came in a small dose
I just wish the day would come

 When the last one would be so close

 

FORSTER, ROBERT DERWENT GARTH / MCLENNAN, GRANT WILLIAM

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From 1985's Liberty Belle And The Black Diamond Express. An album without a weak song.