Jonathan Richman (Indie Pop)

Jonathan Richman. His musical career is absolutely exceptional, his talent has few equals; today, Still in Rock takes on (from Boston) Jonathan Richman.

Let’s start with a bit of biography. Born in Natick (Massachusetts), he moved to New York at 18. For a while he slept on the couch of Steve Sesnick, then manager of the Velvet Underground. A good school. After several unsuccessful attempts to launch his solo career, he decided to go and live in Boston, where he formed… The Modern Lovers, a band Still in Rock has mentioned before (article). After the band split, he went on recording under the name Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers. He then changed artistic direction, leaving behind the electric guitar of “Roadrunner” (here) to focus on an even warmer acoustic. His first solo record dates from 1979. Others very quickly followed, moving from country folk to pop-rock at the snap of a finger.

Jonathan Richman’s recording technique is somewhat particular: one single studio take. You can feel the result: the spontaneity of his creations is beyond dispute. The music he produces has no contemporary equivalent. It sometimes recalls what the Violent Femmes were doing (article). Jonathan’s music makes you want to write whole pages on each of his songs. So I will go over some of them, but let’s keep in mind that Jonathan Richman is one of the greatest songwriters of his generation and that discovering his world takes several weeks.

To mention only four records, I will start with Modern Lover 88, released in 1988, his most Caribbean record. The album opens with the very pop “Dancin Late At Night” (here). “New Kind Of Neighborhood” is as innocent as ever, like the brilliant “Circle I” (here). “African Lady” goes for a different genre, as does “California Desert Party“. The catchy “I Love Hot Nights” (here) and “Everything’s Gotta Be Right” are two highlights. There is even a cover of “The Theme From Moulin Rouge“.

Jonathan Richman is an album released in 1989. Look no further, the track “Action Packed” is right there. The light “Everyday Clothes“, the cheerful “Fender Stratocaster” (here), the instrumental “Blue Moon” (which I insist you listen to, here), the haunting “Closer” (here) and “Que Reste-T-Il de Nos Amours?” sung in French (yes, really). It is one of the most complete albums of his career, a record that takes the time to reveal a superb guitar.

I, Jonathan, his fifth record, recorded in 1992, is surely one of his best. With “Parties in the U.S.A” (here) as the opener, followed by “Velvet Underground” (here), the album is led by the brilliant “I Was Dancing in a Lesbian Bar“. “You Can’t Talk to the Dude” (here), “Rooming House on Venice Beach” (here) and “A Higher Power” (here) are all songs you go back to again and again.

The closing track, “Twilight in Boston” (here), is a superb stroll through the streets of the city.

Finally, Having A Party With Jonathan Richman, released in 1991. The album begins with “The Girl Stands Up To Me Now” (here), one of Jonathan’s best songs. “Cappuccino Bar” (here), immediately after, a sort of chill-apology (like “At Night“), cannot escape you. “She Doesn’t Laugh At My Jokes” (here), “When She Kisses Me” (here) and “When I Say Wife” (here) work the pseudo-love register, pure joy. The last track, “Just For Fun” (here), sums up the spirit of the album in three minutes.

Other songs, found on other albums, also deserve your attention; I am thinking in particular of “Chewing Gum Wrapper” (here), “The Beach” (here), and “Vampire Girl” (here). Jonathan Richman is a fascinating artist. The very names of his songs convey the irresistible urge to listen to this music again and again. It is funny, romantic, idealistic, nostalgic, and above all very human. These fine words convey nothing of what it is to listen to Jonathan Richman. Dear friends, you can say goodbye to those around you…

Jonathan Richman tells his life story:

Related links:

Article on the Modern Lovers

Link to ALL the anachronique articles