“Oh Yeah, she was taking me over”.
From the moment that the Tie-Fighter opens fire on your eardrums, you know that there’s something a little bit special about this record.
The Downpatrick trio were merely young musical Padawans when they made this album but it still sounds like it has the confidence, skill and touch of a Jedi master.
To put things into perspective, Ash played these songs on the main stage at Glastonbury just two days after finishing their A-levels.
If Tim Wheeler wan’t so damn chilled and cool, he’d be rightfully annoyed at not being given the credit that he deserves, in my opinion he has one of the finest ears for infectious hooks, riffs and melodies in Ireland.
The Ivor Novello award is probably enough for him though.
1977 reminds you of a very specific moment in time, when you used to scribble the names of your favourite bands on pencil cases and books.
That’s why the album is still loved, these teenagers from Downpatrick were singing about the same things that all teens love like Star Wars, chasing girls, kung fu movies, punk music and drinking cans.
Here’s our five favourite tunes.
5) Kung Fu
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to know that the frontman wrote this song in just five minutes and then recorded it in one take.
Why? Well, it maintains a wonderful sense of youthful enthusiasm, kinetic energy and raw power.
The use of bustling kung-fu effects at the start is just a sampler for the whirling guitars from Mark Hamilton and Wheeler, while Rick McMurray pounds on the drums.
Their pop-culture influences shine through also with loving nods to Bruce Lee, the Karate Kid, X-Men and Scooby Doo, while that moment when the song breaks down at 1:20 is a lovely indicator of Wheeler’s ear for melody.
The Ash singer is arguably Ireland’s finest proponent of crafting catchy pop-rock riffs and hooks. The signs were all here in this track.
4) Oh Yeah
One of the reasons why 1977 works so well is that the band never tried to overcomplicate things.
They were teenage boys singing about teenage things and do you know what, teenagers loved it.
We can all remember the girl who was always on our minds as a youngster. That girl who was so captivating that every look she gave us caused butterflies. Oh Yeah is an ode to her.
Fleeting passion and infatuation has rarely been described with such precision and tenderness while the loud/quiet/loud dynamic of the song seems perfectly fitting for those nervous ‘I will/I won’t/I will kiss her’ moments.
Like most who hear this song, I don’t know the girl in the lyrics but it feels like Wheeler has written an anthem that refuses to age because it’s permanently linked to a definite moment in time, everyone’s been 16-years-old and full of lust.
Lyrically, the song shows remarkable maturity for a group of musicians still learning their craft, the lyrics ‘ I still see her in my sleep, and hear the sighing of the summer wind, still I don’t regret one thing’ indicate that the band were always a cut above certain elements of Britpop bravado.
3) Jack Names the Planets
We’re cheating a little bit here because this track was released on the original pressing of the album but it’s too good not to include.
This song sounds like a band that were hungry and talented, but most importantly in a hurry to be heard.
You get the impression that Ash would be equally as happy playing in their front-room to some friends as they would be on the main stage at Glastonbury.
They are three musicians playing for the sheer love of it.
The song goes stratospheric at 1:53 with that riff, as the band are clever enough to know that lyrics are almost second nature to that wonderfully infectious guitar.
What does it all mean? Who cares? Just enjoy the song and try to keep up in the mosh-pit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayAAMlwGbKA
2) Goldfinger
In Tim Wheeler’s own words “Goldfinger is the best song we’ve ever written, and the best words I’ve ever written”.
Who are we to argue with the man…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQV1gGuGGok
1) Girl From Mars
Like ‘Oh Yeah’, the wonderful lyrics capture that initial infatuation, buzz and utter head-over-heels feeling that accompanies teenage romance. This one is all about the melody though.
The track still feels like it was just recently recorded in a garage in County Down and the moment when the track slows down at 02:26 before erupting in a blissful harmony of guitars, drums and teenage longing is wonderful.
For listeners of a certain age, Ash will always mean summer holidays, first romances and late night drinks whilst chatting about Star Wars.
The force is strong in this one.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
