My Perfect Cousin
| "My Perfect Cousin" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Undertones | ||||
| from the album Hypnotised | ||||
| Released | 28 March 1980 | |||
| Recorded | December 1979 | |||
| Genre | Punk rock | |||
| Length | 2:36 | |||
| Label | Sire Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Damian O'Neill Michael Bradley | |||
| The Undertones singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "My Perfect Cousin" on YouTube | ||||
"My Perfect Cousin" is a song by Northern Irish punk rock band the Undertones. The song – inspired by an actual cousin of one of the band members[1] – was written during the summer of 1979 and recorded at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum in December 1979.[2]
"My Perfect Cousin" was the first of two singles to be released from the band's Hypnotised LP (the second being "Wednesday Week"), and was released on 28 March 1980.[3] The single reached number 9 in both the UK Singles Chart[4] and Irish Singles Chart, making the song the band's only top 10 single.[5]
"My Perfect Cousin" was voted number 30 in the 1980 NME singles of the year poll.[6]
Background[edit]
The song was the sixth single released by the Undertones, and the first single to be written by Damian O'Neill and Michael Bradley.[7] The music video to the song was largely filmed at the home of the O'Neill brothers, and was directed by Julien Temple.[8] The song was performed on Top of the Pops on two occasions: 10 April and 24 April 1980.[9][10]
Sleeve artwork[edit]
The artwork for the single sleeve depicts a Subbuteo figure in the colours of the band's local football club, Derry City. The lyrics to the song are printed on the rear cover of the sleeve.
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Written by | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "My Perfect Cousin" | Damian O'Neill, Michael Bradley | 2:36 |
| No. | Title | Written by | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hard Luck (Again)" | John O'Neill, Michael Bradley, Damian O'Neill, Feargal Sharkey, Billy Doherty | 4:11 |
| 2. | "I Don't Wanna See (You Again)" | John O'Neill | 0:48 |
References[edit]
- ^ "When Illusions are Shattered". The Ulster Herald. 8 February 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- ^ Sleeve notes for 2009 Salvo Music re-release of Hypnotised.
- ^ "The Undertones Discography". Connollyco.com. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
- ^ "The Irish Charts: All There is to Know". irishcharts.ie. 15 June 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Rocklist.net: NME End Of Year Lists 1980..." www.rocklistmusic.co.uk.
- ^ Teenage Kicks: My Life as an Undertone p. 174
- ^ Teenage Kicks: My Life as an Undertone p. 173
- ^ "Top of the Pops 10/04/1980". bbc.co.uk. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- ^ "The Undertones Ultimate trainspotter's Guide: TV & Radio". theundertones.com. 11 November 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2016.[dead link]
External links[edit]
- The Undertones official website