Goodbye '70s

Album: Upstairs at Eric's (1982)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Alison Moyet was a 17-year-old punk rocker when she wrote "Goodbye '70s" in 1978. She ended up recording it for Upstairs at Eric's, the 1982 debut album by Yazoo, her duo with Vince Clarke, formerly of Depeche Mode.

    "When I was a punk I believed I'd always be a punk," Moyet explained. "'Goodbye '70's was my 17-year-old self reacting to the wake up call that everything will change. It will."

    In England, where she was based, this was a time of tribalism in music and fashion as punk rock was ceding ground to the New Romantic movement. Note the line, "I'm tired of fighting in your fashion war." Somewhat ironic that her punk screed ended up becoming a new wave song.
  • Yazoo (known as Yaz in America, where there was already a group called Yazoo) were an unlikely pairing, with Vince Clarke bringing his synth-pop expertise and Moyet steeped in blues music. The pairing worked very well; they were supposed to record just one single ("Only You") but ended up making two albums. They didn't get along particularly well and did their songwriting separately, but did come together in 2008 for a reunion tour. Post Yazoo, Clarke formed Erasure and Moyet went solo; her debut album, Alf, was released in 1984 and went to #1 in the UK.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Zac Hanson

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.