I had to have an album by this band in the 10 albums that influenced me most. After much thought I went with this one, which started it all. Having looked it up today, I didn't realise that the version I had was the American compilation album released in 1980 as opposed to the original UK album (Three Imaginary Boys, 1979).
This album was put onto cassette for me by one of my first boyfriends; it had Never Mind the Bollocks on the other side. I think I was supposed to prefer the Sex Pistols but I re wound to this album every time.
I don't listen to it anymore, although probably still know all the words. You can't get it on Spotify (you can get the original but the tracks are not all the same), and the cassette has long gone. But this album inspired a decade plus of devotion, a few live gigs, and a continued tendency to wear a lot of black, with buckled ankle boots. I still have a penchant for young men in black eyeliner!
And the boyfriend? We are still in touch, He is an architect, living happily in Oxfordshire with his wife, and 4 children who are the same age as ours, and we meet up every couple of years.
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