FEATURE:
Too Good to Be Forgotten: Songs That Are Much More Than a Guilty Pleasure
Girls Aloud - Sound of the Underground
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ONE may point out that…
Girls Aloud’s debut single, Sound of the Underground, is celebrated and not a song that is considered to be a guilty pleasure. I would disagree. I have seen it included on Amazon’s top guilty pleasure songs, and it has popped up in a couple of other articles regarding songs that are, perhaps, not ones you want to shout about loving. Sound of the Underground featured on the band’s debut album of the same name – and I will bring in a review of that album soon. Following Girls Aloud's (Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh) formation on the ITV1 reality television show, Popstars: The Rivals, Sound of the Underground was released just sixteen days later on 16th December 2002. The song became 2002’s Christmas number-one in the U.K., spending four consecutive weeks at the top. The song also reached number-one in Ireland. I will bring in some reaction and reception for the song soon. I wanted to mention the music video. It was recorded in an empty London warehouse days after Girls Aloud were formed. I think it is a really striking and powerful video, in spite of the fact that it is quite simple. Sound of the Underground, far from being a guilty pleasure, is one of the best songs from the early-2000s. I think that girl groups were probably past their most relevant and extraordinary by 2002, so it would not have been a shock if Girls Aloud failed or produced music that was quite generic and bland.
I think Girls Aloud succeeded right from the off and provided this song that has so much vim and pizzazz. Written by Miranda Cooper, Niara Scarlett and Brian Higgins, I feel Sound of the Underground is a tremendous track. There was criticism and controversy when the song was released, as some felt it was a cover song and others, including Pete Waterman, felt that the group had not sung on the track. Maybe it is a compliment regarding the strength of the track and the performances. It was pretty tough for them having to navigate backlash and questions so early on but, nineteen years after its release, and Sound of the Underground stands as one of the great Pop debut singles:
“"Sound of the Underground" received a positive response from most music critics. It "proved a first: it was a reality pop record that didn't make you want to do physical harm to everyone involved in its manufacture." A review for Girls Aloud's debut album stated that the song has "become a pulsating pop classic with a modern, metallic beat, catchy chorus and just the right amount of sleaze." The song was further described as "an enticing blend of spiky guitars and Fatboy Slim beats topped off with an irresistibly catchy chorus." Michael Osborn said that "Sound of the Underground" offers "a fresh tune that has no intentions of following the road to seasonal schmaltzville." An article from The Guardian called the song "an icy confection very different from the normal run of girl-band things."
"Sound of the Underground" and another Xenomania production, Sugababes' "Round Round", have been called "two huge groundbreaking hits", credited with reshaping British pop music for the 2000s. Peter Robinson wrote, "Instead of what would become the predictable 'victory lap' ballad, here was an upbeat attitude-soaked celebration of life, partying, and being young." In 2003, "Sound of the Underground" was voted Best Single at the Disney Channel Kids Awards. The Telegraph placed the song at number 15 on a list of 100 songs that defined the 2000s, while NME included it at number 39. Spinner.com named "Sound of the Underground" the eighth best British song of the 2000s”.
I do not want to detour too far from Sound of the Underground but, considering their debut album of the same name, and I think it should have received some better reviews. I am not a massive fan of Girls Aloud, although I can identify their debut album is stronger than many people gave it credit for. In their review, this is what the BBC said:
“Girls Aloud totally trounced their boyband rivals One True Voice with their debut the single (and album opener) "Sound Of The Underground", which sounded better than anyone could have expected. Punchy, sassed-up pop over driving neo drum and bass beats captured the formula of the day and has set the tone for much of what's to come next.
The follow up, "No Good Advice", chases hot on its heels with more brassy and in-your-face lyrics of defiance and determination. They may not have written the tracks themselves but someone made the right choice of writer.Sugababes collaborator Brian Higgins injects an element of instant-catchy-cool to the songs without going overboard in trying to shape uber-chic dance floor hits.
Starting an album with your first two singles can be a sign to expect a rapid decline in qualitysoon after, but again the Girls prove us wrong."Some Kind Of Miracle" is superficial pop at its purest.With a vocal hook that gnaws its way into your brain and leaves you afflicted with a tendency to repeat it again and again in your head, it must qualify for future chart success.
Alison Clarkson, a.k.a. 90s popstar Betty Boo, also gets roped in on song scribing duties for "Mars Attack" and the electro stomping "Boogie Down Love". She stamps her trademark quirky 60s style sound effects over rocking beats for two of the album's finer moments.
At 15 tracks long, Sound Of The Underground does seem drag on towards the end but don't let that detract you from the fact that this really is an impressive debut. Only time will tell if they are set to take the mantle as the new Spice Girls or slip rapidly down pops dumper as the new Hear'Say. But their debut album is sure to shut up at least some of their cynics, myself included”.
Even though Girls Aloud disbanded in 2013, I think they enjoyed a long and successful career and, no doubt, inspired modern girl groups like Little Mix. I think that 2002 was an interesting year for Pop music. There was a definite transition and shift and, whilst some feel that year cannot compete with the best of the 1990s, songs such as Sound of the Underground make a case for the defence. Rather than judge the track as a guilty pleasure – maybe because people inherently think girl groups are a bit weaker and plastic -, have a listen to it again. The song gets inside the head pretty quickly, but there is plenty of depth and nuance that will keep you coming back – also check out Girls Aloud’s debut album to get a bigger impression of what they were about back then. When it comes to songs that mark you out as a great group, then Sound of the Underground is…
A pretty impressive debut.