I'm in between a great many things at the moment. In between jobs. In between ages (hey, kids - Rol's life begins on March 19th... apparently!). In between... oh, I'm sure I'm in between some other stuff. Just go with it, will you? It's ten great songs, that's all you need to know.
10. Idlewild - The Space Between All Things
There's something about the lyrics to this particular Idlewild track that reminds me of Lloyd Cole. It's got that same sophisticated sadness.
All the walls of your house were painted in deep blue
You're at that indecisive age to choose colours that reflect you
And everything and nothing is in the space between all things
The best thing about Idlewild will always be their lead singer's name though. Roddie Woomble. Genius.
9. Rufus Wainwright - Between My Legs
Rufus gets all gynaecological. I can handle the notion that he's "wearing his heart between his legs" but I get the juvenile sniggers when he sings "And I shed a tear between my legs". What, like doing a wee?
8. Mary McGregor - Torn Between Two Lovers
Written by Peter of ...Paul & Mary fame, and inspired by Dr. Zhivago. You didn't know that, did you? You did? Smart arse.
I love this picture of Mary McGregor I found on wikipedia. It's so fresh-faced and 70s. She could be an Angel, Charlie.
7. The Melting Ice Caps - Between Eros & Agape
The Melting Ice Caps are ace. Which seems like a rather unecological thing to say. But the band are literate, sensitive, tuneful and witty. What else do you want from your lyricists? This track (along with a bunch of their other excellent singles) is available to download free from their website. Go do it now!
6. The Persuaders - A Thin Line Between Love & Hate
No, not Roger Moore and Tony Curtis.
"Four of the hottest young men in the business - and by 'hot', I mean they're really doing it, and doing it out of sight."
With an intro like that, how could you resist?
Great late night soul. And if Samuel L. Jackson ever formed a band...
The Pretenders did a pretty mean cover too.
5. The Hold Steady - Stuck Between Stations
She was a really cool kisser and she wasn't all that strict of a ChristianAnd that is why The Hold Steady rock my world.
She was a damn good dancer but she wasn't all that great of a girlfriend
He likes the warm feeling but he's tired of all the dehydration
Most nights are crystal clear but tonight it's like he's stuck between stations
Plus, the video looks like it was made by Tony Hart and Morph.
4. Donald Fagen - Walk Between The Raindrops
More great late night listening. Hey man, don't dis (one half of) The Dan.
3. Billy Bragg - Between The Wars
Watch Steve Wright try to pretend he understands Billy Bragg as he introduces this song on vintage TOTP. Then watch a 12 year old Billy sing his heart out. Was he ever that young? Were any of us...?
2. Sleeper - Inbetweener
In remembering Britpop, Sleeper often seem to slip through the cracks. Which is a shame, because Louise Wener wrote some nice, sub-Cocker lyrics and had the sexy popstar pout down well. I recently discovered their debut album had been re-issued as a 2-disc set with b-sides and live tracks thrown in. Well worth a re-appraisal.
1. The Cure - In Between Days
Yeah, like it could have been anything else.
Tip of the hat to The Go-Betweens... but which is your favourite in between song?
