Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | Google Podcasts | pocket plasters | Youtube | RSS
The story behind the song The podcast just keeps getting better and better and that's why we're so excited to officially launch season 2 of the series today. We're kicking off our new weekly format with a 1982 classic, “I Melt with You” in Modern English. Listen to the band's singer and songwriter, Robbie Gray, dive into the post-punk hit above, or wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, we have new products, check them out below!
One of those rare songs that are instantly recognizable across generations, “I Melt with You” has endured for a reason. Listening to it makes us want to dance, it makes us feel nostalgic, whether for the sounds of the 80s or for the sweet and enveloping romance of the lyrics. But while the words, which Gray wrote on a scrap of paper in less than 10 minutes while sitting on the floor of a house in London's Shepherd's Bush, are presented as a simple love song, there is a heavier, more mundane story. behind its origins.
“This time was the time of nuclear war,” Gray tells host Peter Csathy. “We're talking about Margaret Thatcher in Britain, Ronald Reagan in the United States, I think it was Gorbachev in Russia… and they were very, very dangerous times. To be honest with you, the actual lyrics, 'I Melt With You', are about a couple making love while the bomb drops… It was supposed to be about the challenge of being in love at a time when things They're not going very well. “I don't feel very comfortable with you.”
It was a dark period in which Gray's notes gave rise to a lot of good music, from Joy Division to The Cure and Gang of Four. But the optimism of “I Melt with You” (“The future is wide open”) and the music’s ability to “slide across the top of the vinyl or the radio station” made the song not only a bright spot of the time, but The Career of the Modern Englishman. It changed the band's trajectory, leading to their first sold-out concerts, and Gray even draws a line from there to his new album. 1 2 3 4.
Get tickets for Modern English here
Listen to him explain how while diving into Modern English’s “I Melt with You” via the player above or on your favorite podcast platform. Make sure you follow The story behind the song to watch all the new and archive episodes coming in season 2, and rate and review on Apple Podcasts to show your support for our series.
In addition, some interesting news will coincide with the launch of The story behind the song Season 2: We have merchandise! Available now at the Consequence Shop, we have a spectacular new poster (framed and unframed) and a puzzle (1000 pieces or 252 pieces) with original artwork referencing all the songs and artists from the first three years of the podcast. Get yours now using the buy now buttons below!
Newly released Modern English. 1 2 3 4 earlier this month and will go on tour in March. After a few dates with The Buzzcocks and some headlines european shows, will return to North America this summer for the Totally Tubular Festival tour alongside Men Without Hats, Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins, Thomas Dolby, Bow Wow Wow and more. Get tickets here.
You can also follow host Peter Csathy on Threads at @pcsathy and in Deep cutting mediaand stay tuned to the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all of our shows.
Buy now in the Consequence store
Buy now in the Consequence store
thanks to our partners at consequence.net
