The single
Part of an irregular series of bite-sized posts about 7″ singles I own – shameless nostalgia from the days of vinyl. (Search ‘Backtracking’ to collect the set!)
Roxy Music – Virginia Plain b/w Pyjamarama (Polydor, 1973)
Originally two separate singles, then a double A-side to die for. Neither song featured on their classic albums – Roxy Musc & For Your Pleasure, neither song has a chorus nor any coherent meaning but they are two of the finest pop songs ever recorded.
The band arrived fully formed and brimful of swagger – part of the glam scene but also gloriously aloof from it. The innovative qualities of the group gradually faded when Eno left (although Stranded is also a great album) and after Ferry began to embrace his lounge lizard persona too enthusiastically, but in 1972 and 1973 this was as good as it got!
Check out the hair and gear on their TOTP appearance:
