The bit that you skip #267: Bronski Beat β Smalltown boy
File under βsongs you didnβt understand when you were a kidβ. Smalltown boy is Bronski Beatβs fabulous and heartbreaking debut single from 1984βs politically charged Age of Consent.
βIs he just being bullied because ofβ¦ what?β was the question that lilβ old me had while watching the video of the peppy new wave song. I shouldβve detected the hidden sadness in Jimmy Sommervilleβs vocals, or the heartbreak of the poignant lyrics. Instead, I was mesmerised by Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachekβs tremendous arrangement.
Bronski Beat were a short lived project but still their cultural and social impact should never be forgotten: openly gay musicians offering both exposure, criticism of homophobia, and support line information (included as an etch in the 12β³ groove). Their experiences growing up were less than stellar, criminalised by simply existing. Hereβs hoping that future generations no longer have to live under the same kind of intoleranceβ¦
-Sam J. ValdΓ©s LΓ³pez
https://youtu.be/88sARuFu-tc
#AgeOfConsen #AgeOfConsent #BronskiBea #BronskiBeat #SmalltownBoy