I’m still trying to get back up the same levels of energy and enthusiasm associated with pulling together the 800 songs series. So, if you don’t mind, here’s a repeat of the words used in the Squeeze ICA (#334), back in March 2023:-
One of the main strengths of Glenn Difford and Chris Tilbrook as songwriters was their ability to marry up catchy music with lyrics that told stories. In this instance, Tilbrook came up with the tune, making use of a moog synth all the way through as well as a classic ‘tennis racquet’ guitar solo straight after the first chorus, while Difford sings of a failed romance while putting all the blame on himself.
mp3: Squeeze – Another Nail In My Heart
It reached #17 in March 1980, and history will show that only four other Squeeze 45s performed better – Cool For Cats (#2), Up The Junction (#2), Labelled With Love (#4) and Hourglass (#16). If this had been the subject of a quiz question, I’ll admit I’d never have come up with the fourth song on that list.
The b-side is one that, from its opening notes, can be identified immediately as a Jools Holland composition. And that’s before he croons some ten seconds in:-
It’s perfectly understandable why Difford and Tillbrook consistently turned down the pianist’s requests to be allowed to write the A-sides.
This is my favourite of the singles and what I know of Squeeze. A sibling bought this and I had it on repeat play – all of the time. When I left the house I took this with me. I still have it. It, like me, is a bit battered and worn.
Flimflamfan
Never really thought about the decision to stick the solo in after the first verse until you pointed it out. Great pop song with a proper ending too.
A classic. Holland should have let Tilbrook sing his songs. His voice was nowhere near his piano playing and all his songs suffer by comparison because of that.
[fiktiv]
Another Nail in My Heart may very well be my favorite Squeeze song. Even though Difford is actually singing “another nail FOR my heart.” I knew the song from Argybargy, so this is actually the first time I’ve ever heard the B side. I’ll just say they made the right call on which should be the A side.
Marc