Lost Gem: "Clean Clean" - The Buggles (1980)


"Johnny tell the chaplain
goand polish his tombs."
--> The Buggles <--
The Buggles, and their now-famous and delightful opening video for MTV, will always be an answer on some game show somewhere. And that ain't such a bad thing.

But The Buggles were more than a one-hit-wonder. They were blending synth sounds and tones creating a unique electronic pop experience that masked a darker future of a more antiseptic society.

The band consisted of just two guys experimenting in the studio...making moods. But with one rare difference. They were outstanding musicians.
Geoffrey Downes spun his magic over the keyboards and percussion...while Trevor Horn pottered the bass, guitar and vocals.

When the legendary prog band...Yes...heard The Buggles debut..."The Age Of Plastic" (1980)...they quickly asked them to produce and also join the band. Now that's some pretty strong cred.

LOST GEM:--> "Clean Clean" ... an aggressive runaway roadburn that begins with a slow, almost church organ announcement. The synthesizer solo breaks are classic new wave.

Have you heard this gem?


Pogo Johnny kicked me in the head
Aiming for the floorboards but they picked me up instead
Through the ringing of the night before
Said, ‘The engine’s running, gotta pay a call.’
Johnny drove the half-truck
‘Cause we could not find the Jeep
Wake me in the morning, gotta get some sleep
Driving all night out of fear
Got it in the ribs every time he changed gear

 I’m gonna,
Take a ride, gonna pick up the team
Gonna go where we’ve never been
I’m gonna,
Take a ride, gonna pick up the team
(Pickin’ up, pickin’ up the te-e-eam)
God, you know it’s hard to keep the fighting clean

 Clean, clean
Clean, clean
Clean, clean
Clean, clean

 Pogo Johnny gonna fight the war
Chaplain in the morning at the local liquor store
Pogo coughing bad from diesel fumes
Johnny tell the chaplain go and polish his tombs
Lying on the waste ground with a blanket on his face
Indicating that he’s left the human race
Helmet open where the world came in
Gotta keep your head if you wanna win

 Clean, clean
(lost a million in our very first attack)
Clean, clean
(don’t you worry ‘cause you know we’ll get them back)
Clean, clean
(lost a million in our very first attack)
Clean, clean
(don’t you worry ‘cause you know we’ll get them back)

Good stuff!

Casey Chambers
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