One of the things I really miss about Gideon Coe’s daytime BBC 6Music show is his ‘Wednesday Wist Wagon’. So, in homage to it I invite you all to climb aboard my Sunday Sadness Stagecoach. Here are four songs to make your heart ache just a little bit – and here’s the thing: they are all off the same album.
One of the unexpected consequences of having the decorators in (not a euphemism for anything, but now you mention it…) was stumbling upon a 4AD compilation CD from 1995 called ‘Facing the Wrong Way’. I’d forgotten how wonderful this album was. And it’s chock-full of wist.
So here are snatches from:
‘Summer Dress’ – Red House Painters
‘You Sweet Little Heart Breaker’ – Air Miami
‘Love Songs on the Radio’ – Mojave (actually Mojave 3 but this CD must pre-date the change of name)
‘Cheap Cuts’ – Liquorice
I know the Air Miami track is probably too thrashy for most people to consider it wistful but the title alone qualifies it. And the Liquorice track is probably a bit too feisty, but I love the lyrics and couldn’t not include it. And hey, I did drop ‘Valley of the Morning Sun’ by Kendra Smith which is utterly lovely but the lyrics are just bonkers and I have no idea what it’s about. (Aviation. Just looked it up). And it is my list.
LOVE SONGS ON THE RADIO – Mojave 3
She looks just like an angel
When she walks across the room
She shines tonight
Her golden light
Is everything I needLovers all around her
She wears them like her jewels
My friend says she’s all he needs
To feel aliveLove songs on the radio
His sweetheart lies in bed
She’s dreaming of the things he said
She’s hoping that he’s well