Single by
Mi-Sex which also appears on their 1979 record
Graffiti Crimes, released by
CBS records.
Delightful,
quirky and slightly
paranoid song from the
New Zealand New Wavers, with strong echoes of
Devo. Their only hit single, (which was only a hit in
Australia, in case you're wondering), 'Computer Games' was backed with '
Wot Do You Want?' a just as strong, but not nearly as enjoyable song. There is very comely mastery of
synthesizers and
electronic instrumentation present in the song (which soon become a target of derision), and
Steve Gilpin's voice wavers between
Mark Mothersbaugh's nerdy inflexion and
David Byrne's strangled
paranoia. Clearly, both must have been big
influences on the song, in both style and subject matter.
The
lyrics are quite confusing, the song not seemingly relevent to any
computer games, but the feel of
playing computer games seems to be conveyed quite well, although the lines '
As a million angry citizens / Looking down their tubes at me' seem quite
ominous and not fitting with the theme, or perhaps a
spooky prediction of
internet gaming.
This song was suitably
performed at
New Wave Karaoke at the
Empress by a guy who knew it very well, and the song might well make some kind of mini-
anthem for
Everything2. Then again, maybe not.
Proquar says re Computer Games: At the risk of drawing bad attention to myself, just had to point out that Mi-Sex also had success with a song called
People and
Blue Day was a beautiful ballad (of course, none of their success reached the US)
COMPUTER GAMES
I figit with the
digit dots
And cry an anxious tear
As the
xui(1) connects the spot
The
matrix grid don't care.
Get a message to my mother
What number will she be
As a million angry
citizens
Looking down their tubes at me.
Compu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu
Computer Games!
Compu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu
Computer Games!
There's
safety in numbers they say
'Cause the
figures never lie
No perfect persons ever notice
One computer die.
I'm
programmed to a
schedule
What will the answer be
It's a
suicide run 'till the work gets done
But the matrix grid don't see.
Compu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu
Computer Games!
Compu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu
Computer Games!
Jammed up tight by
red traffic lights
Advance one level on green
These opportune
commuters
They're blasting on their hooters
I'll figit with the digit dots
Frustration rules out there
As the xui connects the spot
The matrix grid don't care.
Compu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu
Computer Games!
Compu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu
Computer Games!
(1): Pronouced X-U-I I think - I'm not actually sure what this is, but i'm guessing it's another word for a
crosshair.
This song is one that makes up my almost unholy obsession (No! Not what you're thinking!) with cheesy 1979
7"'s (see.). I am always looking for more - see my
homenode for details.
Is anyone else surprised this is the only writeup here?