Mark Ronson & The Business Intl ft. Kyle Falconer & Spank Rock - 'The Bike Song'
Pop music often searches to find the eternal in the everyday. Songs attempt to freeze time around one emotional moment - I haven't got enough money! I wish I could wish on a falling star! Girls are sexy! - and to make sure it's communicated to as many people as possible, it'll often take place in the most mundane of locations: a street, the house you grew up in, a nightclub.
It's partly because gems often shine brighter when placed against a dull background, and partly a way to bring extra reality to the situation, so it feels truer. In the same way that we all tend to sit up and take a bit more notice of a film that says that it is based on a true story.
This is why it's a good idea to write a song with a bike in it. It's not just a fun hook to hang a lyric from, it speaks to our inner child. Most of us have ridden a bike, right? Well this sings to the part of us that yearns for a simpler life, free of boring distractions.
In fact (drumroll) it's not just a pop song, it's an integral part of the cycle of life (TISH!).
(. It's cuuute.)
Now, having made such a fuss about the rightness of the lyrical conceit - props are due to Dave McCabe from the Zutons, who also wrote Mark's biggest hit 'Valerie', as sung by Amy Winehouse etc etc - it's important to say the finished article doesn't quite match the grandeur and brilliance of 'Bang Bang Bang'. There's no double-speed chorus, no Q-Tip, and no French bits. But that's OK, lots of songs aren't as good as 'Bang Bang Bang'. MOST songs aren't as good as 'Bang Bang Bang', in fact. 'Bang Bang Bang' is a peak, most other songs are the bits that hold the peak up.
So, instead of concentrating on what isn't here, let's look at what is. Why, look! It's Kyle from the View! And Spank Rock! And Kyle's singing about the freedom of a pair of wheels on the open road through his trademark cotton-wool gob. And he's got this freewheeling skippy-hop beat to do it over. Spanky brings the jibber-jabber, claiming not to understand why people prefer cars to bicycles. It is officially ALL FUN.
Even having to endure Kyle singing "that can't be the way that I roll" as if he's trying to work in some urban lingo to fit better with the funk, is no hassle at all. There's nothing you can't just shrug off, bowling along to a song like this, and I speak as someone who has actually listened to it while riding a bike. Which has to be the ultimate test.
Naturally it passed, with flying colours. I pulled a wheelie when it finished too. Fell over.
Download: Out now
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(Fraser McAlpine)
"This song is cheesy, there is no doubt about it."
"Too laid back to be exciting, and too distracting to be laid back."
"The Scots rocker lends a languid element to the otherwise sprightly song which wheels along like a lost psychedelic pop classic. "
Comment number 1.
At 3rd Sep 2010, harrythedog10 wrote:When I heard that Mark Ronson was going to be writing original songs for his new album I must not have been the only person who was worried, that said everything I've heard from the album so far has been very, very good. This song is no exception, sure it's slightly cheesy and is nothing on Bang Bang Bang but as Fraser pointed out that doesn't matter.
A good fun, care free pop song that should secure Ronson another top 10 hit. 4 STARS
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Comment number 2.
At 3rd Sep 2010, OddOne wrote:I agree, nothing on 'Bang Bang Bang', for that reason, this get's 3 stars, it's not as instantly catchy and can actually be very annoying at times.
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Comment number 3.
At 4th Sep 2010, Oliviaaa987 wrote:Agree with Glasswerk, this could quite easily have come off Versions. I like it.
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Comment number 4.
At 4th Sep 2010, Haducon2 wrote:I hate The View with a burning passion, so when I heard about this song, and that kyle was going to be in it. I wasn't very happy with Mr. Ronson.
It's ok, the first time I listened I found it incredibly catchy but now I want to scream whenever I hear it.
It's a shame because I really like Mark Ronson.
2 stars
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Comment number 5.
At 4th Sep 2010, OddOne wrote:Odd Comment Of The Day:
Where is Randy?
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Comment number 6.
At 4th Sep 2010, spirit wrote:Has all this talk of riding , the joys of bikes and being in the saddle , made you think of Randy ?
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Comment number 7.
At 4th Sep 2010, OddOne wrote:Of course, I miss his sweet aroma.
Where for art thou Randy!?
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Comment number 8.
At 4th Sep 2010, kutox wrote:Not as instant as Bang Bang Bang, but after a good few plays it almost gets there. I can't help but keep singing 'gonna ride my bike until I get home' :) I do think it's a really good song, something a bit different. 2 very good singles in a row, I'm looking forward to Record Collection.
4/5
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Comment number 9.
At 4th Sep 2010, OddOne wrote:If you like what Mark Ronson's released so far, you should check out promotional single (complete with video) 'Circuit Breaker', it's an instrumental track with no vocals, just Ronson's production, and the video is very good.
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Comment number 10.
At 4th Sep 2010, kutox wrote:Cheers, hadn't seen that one. The song is pretty good, and the video is fab! Makes me want to play my old console games again
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Comment number 11.
At 4th Sep 2010, OddOne wrote:I know! I want to get my Sega MegaDrive out and play Sonic The Hedgehog!
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Comment number 12.
At 4th Sep 2010, kutox wrote:I often do that on my PC with the use of emulators. In fact I was playing the old Sonic The Hedgehog games just the other week :) They never get old
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Comment number 13.
At 24th Sep 2010, kutox wrote:This song doesn't look set for a great chart position this Sunday - edge of the top 20 at best. While I'm disappointed, I did fear it would happen, because although the song is really catchy after a few spins, it's not as instant as Bang Bang Bang and doesn't grab the casual listener immediately, which doesn't make it a bad song at all, but sadly it's what's needed these days to score a big chart hit, unless you're an ultra-commercial chart-driven popstar.
It's another good example of how the charts work these days, I think.
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