To celebrate that today is the International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia, here is one of the best gay anthems of all time.
"Smalltown Boy" was the debut single from Bronski Beat, released in June 1984. It would also appear on the
band's debut album The Age of Consent, released in December 1984.
The song is a popular gay anthem and was a huge commercial success,
reaching number 3 in the band's native UK. It was a number one hit in
Holland and Italy, and hit the top 10 in Australia, Germany, Canada, France, New Zealand, Ireland and
Switzerland. The track reached number 48 in the U.S. pop chart and was a #1 U.S
dance hit. It would then appear several times in different worldwide charts through the years on re-issues.
The song addresses key issues in 1980s homosexual culture.
It addresses family rejection for being homosexual and homophobia in British
society. It also deals with loneliness and bullying through societal and
familial rejection.
There was a brilliant video to go along with the song - and the lyrics should be an easy fit to every gay smalltown boy in the world...
You leave in the morning
With everything you own
In a little black case
Alone on a platform
The wind and the rain
On a sad and lonely face
Mother will never understand
Why you had to leave
But the answers you seek
Will never be found at home
The love that you need
Will never be found at home
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Pushed around and kicked around
Always a lonely boy
You were the one
That they'd talk about around town
As they put you down
And as hard as they would try
They'd hurt to make you cry
But you never cried to them
Just to your soul
No you never cried to them
Just to your soul
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Cry , boy, cry...
You leave in the morning
With everything you own
In a little black case
Alone on a platform
The wind and the rain
On a sad and lonely face
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
2 comments:
THE song of my coming-out! I was "the one that they'd talk about around town, as they put me down."
A brilliant song!!
Thanks,
Jx
It is a brilliant song and just as important as it was back then!
The lyrics are fantastic, and since I was THE smalltown boy (I grew up in an isolated town with about 500 inhabitants!) it is not much of a stretch for me to truly understand the lyrics.
Such a classic track!
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