Bob Mould | Take It Easy

For this week, Jim is inviting us to play some alternative rock music in his post Different from Mainstream. Alternative to what? You may well ask. I had a vague idea that this meant something out of the mainstream – good to have Jim’s confirmation of that! – so I looked it up on Wikipedia, which says it is ‘a category of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1970s and became widely popular in the 1990s.’ So I wasn’t far off. The article lists a range of sub-genres – just the nineteen of them – and gives a vast list of acts which come under all of those various headings. The band I’m choosing to play today is one of them, and I’m hoping that if you didn’t know them before you’ll enjoy the two tracks I’m sharing.

The band is Sugar, who were only around from 1992 to 1996, during which time they gave us three albums, a compilation and a live recording. I’m playing you a track from each of their best known albums, starting with this one, from their September 1992 release, Copper Blue:

And the lyrics:

Tears fill up my eyes
I’m washed away with sorrow
And somewhere in my mind
I know there’s no tomorrow

I see you’re leaving soon
I guess you’ve had your fill
But if I can’t change your mind
Then no one will

And all throughout the years
I’ve never strayed from you my dear
But you suspect I’m somewhere else
You’re feeling sorry for yourself

Leaving with a broken heart
I love you even still
But if I can’t change your mind
Then no one will

Even though my heart keeps breaking
Don’t you know that I’ll be waiting
Here for you
Then when you return

When will you return
I hope you see I’m dedicated
Look how long that I have waited
If you come back then you will find

A different person
If you change your mind

How can I explain away
Something that I haven’t done
And if you can’t trust me now
You’ll never trust in anyone

With all the crazy doubts you’ve got
I love you even still
But if I can’t change your mind
Then no one will

Someday you’ll see I’ve been true
I’ll stay that way until
But if I can’t change your mind
Then no one will

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Bob Mould

Sugar were led by Bob Mould, who had previously been the front man of the three man band Hüsker Dü. He clearly liked the guitar-bass-drums format as Sugar were formed in the same image: the other guys in the band were David Barbe on bass and drummer Malcolm Travis. I loved their music and bought all of their albums. They came from Austin, Texas, but were actually far more successful here in the UK than they were in the States: this debut album got to #10 here but didn’t make the US chart at all. If I Can’t Change Your Mind was released as a single, with a similar story: #30 here, nothing in the US. One of the sub-genres Wikipedia lists is ‘jangle pop’ and I think that description fits Sugar well. It is right up my street too: I have been a fan of this sound since I first heard bands like The Byrds back in the Sixties.

I promised you a second song. This one is from their third album, File Under: Easy Listening (aka F.U.E.L) and is very similar in style. If you like one, you’ll enjoy the other one too! This is Believe What You’re Saying:

Similar in style, and two sides of the same coin in their lyrics: in one, his partner has left him and he wants them back, in the other he is doing the breaking up as he feels badly treated. Poor Bob doesn’t seem to have had much luck, does he! Like their first album, F.U.E.L was a big hit here in the UK, reaching #7, and this time it charted in the US too, getting to #50. As a single, Believe What You’re Saying made #73 here but didn’t reach the US charts. Since Sugar disbanded in early 1996 Bob has continued recording and performing, and has released thirteen albums in addition to the two he made in between bands. I still enjoy that voice of his these days, though his more recent offerings have seen a return to the heavier Hüsker Dü style, and I preferred Sugar!

I’ve had a lot of fun revisiting both albums while putting this together, and hope you’ve enjoyed the music as much as I have. I’ll see you again for Tuesday Tunes and will be back again next Sunday, though the theme isn’t one of my strong suits! Take care 😊🎶