By this time, I think y'all know that I think Transvision Vamp was one of the most underrated bands of the late 80's and early 90's. And, if you are reading this from the UK, you probably think I'm bonkers. They were relatively consistent hitmakers there.
This song was not a hit. Or even a single.
I personally have a favorite album by them - Velveteen. I consistently list it among my five favorites of all time, and usually around #3. I purchased that album the day it was released, and it is fantastic, end to end. I remember every song on that album had its lyrics printed in the liner notes, except one.
"Kiss Their Sons" was that song. And this song was a lot darker and angrier than anything else on the album - because it was angry and the band was angry - at journalists who were calling these punks with credibility and careers "sell-outs", with very specific anecdotes and a lot of very colourful language. The song opened Side 2 of the album, for those old enough to remember those - and it opened it with a guitar screech and a hell of a bassline. The lyric "If you went away and never came back, that wouldn't be too soon" is possibly one of my favorite opening lines of any song, ever.
It is my favorite song on my favorite album of theirs, and it is a go-to for me all these years later.
I include the only live performance of this song I could find - as part of a whole live show. The anger really shines through live - and unless I'm mistaken, Wendy James is naming names!
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