Released at the tail end of June 1984, Come Back by The Mighty Wah! took 5 weeks to penetrate the UK Singles Top 30, spending 4 weeks there (with a peak of #20) before eventually dipping out altogether after 10 weeks in total.
Yes, musically it sounds very much of it's time, the sweeping ambition of the song somewhat constrained by the production budget and slightly awkward video. But in many respects that makes me love it even more. In an alternative universe, this song was full on orchestral, Pete Wylie took it to #1 for six weeks and was lauded for adding another timeless classic to the Great British songbook.
A special mention to Josie Jones, fabulous hair and all, who sadly departed in March 2015.
Down by the docks the talking turned:
"As some are striving to survive,
the others thrive"
(Reaching the realm of no return)
"I don't want charity, just half a chance
and it's all up to you, yes it's all up to you"
Come Back!
I'm willing to try
Come Back!
Don't let time go by
Come Back!
The will to survive
Come Back
Come Back!
With time on my hands
Come Back!
I'm making a stand
Come Back!
To kill or to cure
Come Back!
To god-given leisure
Well did you ever hear of hope?
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A small belief can mean
you'll never walk alone
And did you ever hear of faith?
Encouragement! Development!
And it's all to you!
Yes, it's all to you!
Come Back!
I'm willing to try
Come Back!
Don't let time go by
Come Back!
The will to survive
Come Back
Come Back!
With time on my hands
Come Back!
I'm making a stand
Come Back!
To kill or to cure
Come Back!
To god-given leisure
Come Back!
With time on my hands
Come Back!
I'm making a stand
Come Back
Come Back!
I'm willing to try
Come Back!
Don't let time go by
Come Back!
The will to survive's
Come Back!
I'm begging you please
Come Back!
Now I'm making my stand
Come Back!
With time on my hands
Come Back!
Time to kill or to cure
And hats off to Hatton!!!
"As some are striving to survive,
the others thrive"
(Reaching the realm of no return)
"I don't want charity, just half a chance
and it's all up to you, yes it's all up to you"
Come Back!
I'm willing to try
Come Back!
Don't let time go by
Come Back!
The will to survive
Come Back
Come Back!
With time on my hands
Come Back!
I'm making a stand
Come Back!
To kill or to cure
Come Back!
To god-given leisure
Well did you ever hear of hope?
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A small belief can mean
you'll never walk alone
And did you ever hear of faith?
Encouragement! Development!
And it's all to you!
Yes, it's all to you!
Come Back!
I'm willing to try
Come Back!
Don't let time go by
Come Back!
The will to survive
Come Back
Come Back!
With time on my hands
Come Back!
I'm making a stand
Come Back!
To kill or to cure
Come Back!
To god-given leisure
Come Back!
With time on my hands
Come Back!
I'm making a stand
Come Back
Come Back!
I'm willing to try
Come Back!
Don't let time go by
Come Back!
The will to survive's
Come Back!
I'm begging you please
Come Back!
Now I'm making my stand
Come Back!
With time on my hands
Come Back!
Time to kill or to cure
And hats off to Hatton!!!
Tune and-a-half. I'm also fond of the 'Come Back (The Return Of The Randy Scouse Git) in which Pete takes aim at WEA Records after they dropped him thanks to him refusing to do the sort of things that chart-bound popstars are expected to do (such as appear on the Sooty and Sweep show!!).
ReplyDeleteYes! An excellent version, as you say.
DeleteI did get a morbid thrill from seeing the likes of Julian Cope on Sat morning kids TV or Andrew Eldritch answering an inane questionnaire in Smash Hits, but respect to Pete for sticking to his principles, even if it did cost him in sales and chart placings.