By Uncleben
I set out this week in search of songs about the physical sensation and experience of touch and discovered an array of fine music that was as much about the anticipation or promise of touch - that hair’s breadth of space and latent energy between Adam’s and God’s pointing fingers on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The A-list charts some of the areas in and around that space.
Almost touching the divine: in the Sistine Chapel
Buzzcocks - Why Can’t I Touch It?
Where to begin? In the words of Olivia Newton-John, let’s get metaphysical. Pete Shelley enjoyed mucking about with ideas of sensory illusion, social alienation and emotional angst. I’ve seen this song described variously as a philosophic treatise on the concept of externalism, a poignant encapsulation of the human condition and a description of an acid trip. Me, I like the channel-shifting guitar and lolloping bass.
Gilmore & Roberts - Poison
Let’s get metaphorical. Folk duo Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts use mandolin and acoustic guitar to deconstruct Alice Cooper’s pop-metal power ballad. Heroin addiction masquerading as both obsessive craving for - and desperate attempt to resist - touch.
The Soul Stirrers - Touch the Hem of His Garment
Let’s get biblical. A woman suffering from an unspecified disease of the blood is not getting results from conventional medicine, so opts for the alternative therapy of touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. Apparently one of the few moments in the New Testament where we learn about Jesus’ fashion sense. Sam Cooke, no angel in real life, was on divine form here with his fellow Soul Stirrers.
Thompson Twins - Lay Your Hands on Me
Let’s get spiritual. Singer Tom Bailey described this as a non-specifically religious song (whatever that means) about group rituals and how they relate to artist and audience. Featuring Nile Rodgers on production, a string ensemble and gospel choir, Alannah Currie on marimba and tambourine, Joe Leeway on upright stick bass, and the mid-80s in all their wondrous glory.
African Head Charge - Somebody Touch I
Let’s get shamanical. Percussionist Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah, producer Adrian Sherwood and assorted On-U chums settle into a hypnotic chanting groove and pray for someone to reach out and touch their heart.
Lori & the Chameleons - Touch
Let’s get wistful. A 7” single from 1979 featuring singer Lori Lartey, keyboardist Dave Balfe (later of the Teardrop Explodes) and guitarist Bill Drummond (of later KLF fame). It’s about a holiday Lartey spent in Tokyo and the “touch” is possibly a broad metaphor for immersing yourself in the wonders of a foreign city, a world away from your native Liverpool. A delightful, mischievous, fresh-faced curio of a record.
Turbonegro - Are You Ready (for Some Darkness)
Let’s get visceral. Enough sight-seeing. Are you ready for some darkness, are you ready for some fun? Do you wanna touch the night tonight or do you want to grab your hat and run? There’s a world of excitement out there (including some goat-sucking, if I heard that correctly), but you’ve got to seize it by the throat. Time to launch our flailing limbs into the mosh pit and rock ’n’ roll.
Fever Ray - Shiver
Let’s get sexual. We’re now firmly in the tactile, skin-on-skin world of thighs, highs, thrust and shiver. Bodily torsion and sexual tension. One reviewer described this as synth-pop with mucous membrane and muscle memory, which feels about right. One of two 2023 releases that inspired this topic.
George & Gwen McCrae - The Rub
Let’s get frictional. The band has been playing fast songs all night. But it’s time to turn down the lights and move in close with your dance partner. Yes, it’s rub a dub time. The synapses are firing and the peripheral sensory neurons are passing somatosensory signals to the target effector cells in the cranial nerves, though the McCraes don’t dwell on those elements. This never happened to me at the end of those ghastly school discos.
Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand
Let’s get sensual. Things are getting more serious now. The dancing is over, there’s a fire in the hearth and your date is reclining alluringly on what appears to be a rather lush polar bear rug. Remember, now, it’s tactility that counts. The Pointer Sisters advise a lover with an easy touch - somebody who will spend some time, not come and go in a heated rush. I nominated this a year or so ago for songs about orgasms. I’m glad it survived to find its proper place here.
Diana Ross - Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)
Let’s get communal. For her first single after departing from the Supremes, Ross struck out with a plea for social connectivity and neighbourly love. The sumptuous Touch Me in the Morning was also nominated this week but this one just edged it on the touch-ometer.
Luie Luie - El Touchy
And, finally, let’s get instructional. Who better than nightclub performer Luie Johnston to round off the A-list by providing a short tutorial on taking what we’ve learned about touch and putting it into practice out on the dancefloor? Back in the early 1970s, Luis felt that drugs had taken the heart and soul out of dancing and decided to get people re-connecting by creating a new dance called the “Touchy”. If you’re worried where this might all end, fear not. Listen through to the end of this outsider music classic and Luis will explain precisely how to bring the touching – and indeed this playlist – to an orchestrated and orderly conclusion.
The Adjacent Appendages A-list Playlist:
Buzzcocks - Why Can’t I Touch It?
Gilmore & Roberts - Poison
The Soul Stirrers - Touch the Hem of His Garment
Thompson Twins - Lay Your Hands on Me
African Head Charge - Somebody Touch I
Lori & the Chameleons - Touch
Turbonegro - Are You Ready (for Some Darkness)
Fever Ray - Shiver
George & Gwen McCrae - The Rub
Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand
Diana Ross - Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)
Luie Luie - El Touchy
The Brushing Up Against You B-list Playlist:
Should be fairly self-explanatory, other than the Brazilian and Japanese entries. “Cafuné” is a Portuguese noun for the act of running your fingers through the hair of someone you love. No surprise that the English language doesn’t have a word for this. The chorus of ‘Tsumi to batsu’ translates as: “Don’t fall in love with this disquieting scream / Just become one with me now, while we can be sure / Say my name right / Touch my body, I need to be sure.”
Original Cast of ‘Salvation’ - If You Let Me Make Love to You Then Why Can't I Touch You?
Shura - Touch
Teca & Ricardo - Cafuné
Rilo Kiley - Portions for Foxes
Randy Crawford - Soon as I Touched Him
Howlin’ Wolf - Ooh Baby, Hold Me
The Wolfhounds - The Anti-Midas Touch
Ringo Sheena - Tsumi to batsu (Crime and Punishment)
The Outsiders - Touch
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Cold to the Touch
Cult With No Name - Hands, Two, Touch
Spectrum - Touch the Stars
Guru’s Wildcard:
Big Break - Computer Phone
The other 2023 song that inspired this topic. Lead singer Joseph Armstrong sounds decidedly cross about computer phones. And, when he touches himself, he can’t feel it. It’s unclear how these things are connected, but it’s a thrilling 1 minute and 50 seconds.
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Can you feel it? Songs about touch. The next topic will launch on Thursday around 1pm UK time.
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