My Sunday Song – “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness

For My Sunday Song #432, we are going for pure fun and a love for 80’s rock with “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by the band The Darkness. The song was the third single off this 2003 debut album ‘Permission to Land’. The song went to #1 in their home country of the UK, but in the states it didn’t fair as well. It did go to #23 on the Mainstream Rock Chart and #9 on the Alternative Chart and it did go Platinum with over 1 million copies sold. The song for me brought back the fun that songs can have and the good feelings they can bring.

The song was written by the band including Justing Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain and Ed Graham. At one Justin had stated that the bands during this time were afraid to write a song about Love…so he did. It is somewhat comical feel to the song due to Justin’s vocals, but it does have a powerful message. It simply states that love can be life changing and have a significant impact on you as a person. It can change your life, upend your world and move you in ways you have never have been before. It is the utter belief in love that matters.

What I love about the song, and the video, is its playfulness in both its music and vocals. Justin’s falsetto’s are sick. No one sings like this anymore and honestly, no one really can but Justin. His range is crazy…such a talent. The music is guitar heavy with killer riffs and a blistering solo. The bass thumps away driving the song as well as those heart pounding drums. A throwback to the 80’s in style and sound and we are all the better for it. It is pure fun like 80’s music used to be. It doesn’t take itself to seriously, but these guys are seriously great musicians and singers. A mind blowing introduction for me to this band.

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My Sunday Song – “The Age of Darkness” by The Darkness

For My Sunday Song #400, we end Mike’s Choices with The Darkness’ “The Age of Darkness”. The song is from the 2021 album ‘Motorheart’ and the song is a Japanese Edition Only track as all of Mike’s picks have been. And a great run of tracks they were. This one is different. I will leave it at that and explain more as we go.

The song is not the typical Darkness song. The themes of the lyrics is a cross between Assassin’s Creed, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and King Arthur and any other song about Knights, dragons, castles and the like. The lyrics are full of humor and it is all done in good fun and for a good laugh, but at the same time, it is really great in it’s own sweet way.

The vocals are not Justin as you’d expect…nope. This is Dan Hawkins, his brother and rhythm guitarist. His vocals aren’t falsetto like his brother, he has a much deeper, grittier tone. He almost speaks the lyrics…okay, he does speak the vocals. And yet, he does them perfectly. The music is dark, ominous and pure metal with a Tenacious D vibe as well as Sabbath so it is to be taken seriously and not at the same time. If you like Medieval Times, then this song will be right up your alley.

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The Darkness – ‘Easter is Cancelled’ – Album Review

The Darkness return with ‘Easter is Cancelled’.  It is their 6th overall album and third in just 4 years.  I haven’t had much interest in the band since their debut ‘Permission to Land’ in 2003 and its follow-up ‘One Way Ticket to Hell…And Back’ in 2005.  Yes, I listened their releases after that, but nothing has grabbed my attention as their first two releases. Well, that was until now.

The album harkens back to the early days of the band I enjoyed so much.  The ingredients of which are a dash of the flamboyance of Glam Rock sprinkled with hints of 80’s Hair Bands and a splash of heavy metal all mixed together with a sense of humor that is purely tongue fully implanted in cheek.

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The band opens with what I think is a contender for song of the year, “Rock And Roll Deserves to Die”  It has a grand epic feel to it and Justin Hawkins delivers a commanding vocal performance.  The falsettos he hits are high enough to shatter glasses and windows all over the world.  It is both grandiose and bombastic as well as calm and serene.  A journey worth taking.

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