Smalltown Boy

Album: The Age Of Consent (1983)
Charted: 3 48
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a semi-autobiographical story of Jimmy Somerville, who was lead singer of the band at the time. The song covers the oppression of homosexuals in provincial Scotland in the early 1980s.
  • The music video was groundbreaking in its depiction of what the song meant. It showed Somerville being attacked by a homophobic gang and being brought home by police to the family whom he is attempted to run away from. It was among the 125 videos selected by Channel 4 to be voted into their top 100.
  • This was Bronski Beat's debut on the British charts. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kian - Dublin, Ireland, for all above

Comments: 2

  • Pj Dublin from IrelandThis great video is a good example of the backward treatment of gay people by even their own back in the day, thankfully now I hope things are more accepted in todays world very touching..love is love ..love all creatures..
  • Mimzy from Salem, Orthis song is about the isolation, shame, abuse and loneliness that goes along with being gay in a rural, backwoods community.

    very touching and sad, and also a very good dance tune - which makes it such an amazing song. never fails to send chills down my spine.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."