Yet while I was thinking about this, a song was buzzing around my head that has seemingly been on repeat for a few days now - Ciao! by Lush. (Listen to a preview here)
Opening with a stripped back acoustic guitar leading into what I think is some kind of French sounding accordion (which actually works - doesn't get annoying or anything :), it then launches into one of the finest duets ever.
Jarvis Cocker (in his mid-90s Different Class era Pulp finest) joins Lush singer Miki Berenyi in this biting jangle-pop back-and-forth sledge fest between two former lovers singing to each other about how much better off they are since they got rid of each other. (Quite therapeutic really). The beat is lively, the voices both great and Jarvis does one of his trademark low-talking spoken choruses in the middle.
The rest of the album that this comes from (Lovelife) is really worth a listen as well - this track (Ladykiller) is certainly another highlight.
This isn't something I would normally do but I really am taken with Ciao! at the moment, so here are the lyrics
(thanks to http://www.curve.demon.co.uk/lush/lyrics/ciao.html
Together:
I've been so happy since I walked away
I never thought that I could
Feel as great as I do today
'Cause you were nothing but a big mistake
And life is wonderful, now that I'm rid of you
Jarvis:
Oh I must've been crazy to have stayed with you
I can't believe I thought I was in love with you
But now the scales have fallen I can really see
And I say go to hell, 'cause that's where you took me
Miki:
Well, I've felt better since I slammed that door
You always cramped my style, I never noticed before
It's been a non-stop party since I flew the coop
I can't believe I fell for such a loser like you
Jarvis:
And is it any wonder that I felt so blue
When I was always having to put up with you
Miki:
Oh, here we go again, just lay the blame on me
Don't say another word, 'cause sweetheart, you're history
[Jarvis:]
[I bet you're loving every minute of it]
[Sitting in yer kitchen eating meagre meals with the curtains closed]
[Go on, be a bedsit martyr babe]
[I don't give a damn anyway]
Miki:
I know that you miss me really, bet you wish that you still had me
You'll never find someone like me but I've got no regrets at all
Jarvis:
'Cause I've met this girl and she's so good to me
She's really beautiful, fantastic company
Oh, when I'm with her I realise what love can be
'Cause she's fifty times the person you will ever be
Miki:
Good luck, mister, do you think I care?
Since you've been gone the offers have been everywhere
I've got a million guys just lining up for me
I've turned a corner, boy, my life is ecstasy
Together:
Well, I've been in heaven since I walked away
I never thought that I could feel as great as I do today
'Cause you were nothing but a waste of space
And life is wonderful, now that I'm over you
(Author: M. Berenyi)
(And yes, I will come back to the Devastations at another time)
(Oh and big big thanks to Jo for putting me onto this - as ever, you RAWK! :)
