It's For You

Sticking with Manchester in the 80s this is former Buzzcock Pete Shelley with his 1983 'hit' (number 66 with a bullet) Telephone Operator. Post Buzzcocks he dumped the breakneck guitars for a more electronic sound, with guitars. In this creepy little song Pete expresses desire for the person at the switchboard- 'telephone operator, you're my aural stimulator, phone you up an hour later, you're all I'm thinking of'.

Telephone Operator.mp3#1#1

Buzzcocks 'Boredom'

A 7" single from January 1977 called Spiral Scratch gave us this song, Boredom, and in no particular order, Buzzcocks, Howard Devoto, the production career of Martin Hannett, the northern punk scene, the birth of the British independent record labels, D.I.Y. punk, the return of the Sex Pistols to Manchester, and provided the inspiration for dozens of other bands, not least Orange Juice (Rip It Up quotes it and copies it's one note guitar solo). Not bad going.

How could a song called Boredom be so exciting?

Boredom.mp3