The Joy of the Single
Film packed with startling memories, vivid images and penetrating insights into the power of pop and rock's first and most abiding artefact - the seven-inch, vinyl 45-rpm record.
Do you remember buying your first single? Where you bought it? What it was? The thrill of playing it for the first time? What it sounded like? How it maybe changed your life? Lots of us do. Lots of us still have that single somewhere in a dusty box in the attic, along with other treasured memorabilia of an adolescence lost in music and romance. The attic of our youth.
The Joy of the Single is a documentary packed with startling memories, vivid images and penetrating insights into the power of pop and rock's first and most abiding artefact - the seven-inch, vinyl 45-rpm record, a small, perfectly formed object that seems to miraculously contain the hopes, fears, sounds and experiences of our different generations - all within the spiralling groove etched on its shiny black surface, labelled and gift-wrapped by an industry also in its thrall.
In the confident hands of a star-studded cast, the film spins a tale of obsession, addiction, dedication and desire. The viewer is invited on a journey of celebration from the 1950s rock 'n' roll generation to the download kids of today, taking in classic singles from all manner of artists in each decade - from the smell of vinyl to the delights of the record label, from the importance of the record shop to the bittersweet brevity of the song itself, from stacking singles on a Dansette spindle to dropping the needle and thrilling to the intro.
Featuring contributions from Noddy Holder, Jack White, Richard Hawley, Suzi Quatro, Holly Johnson, Jimmy Webb, Pete Waterman, Norah Jones, Mike Batt, Graham Gouldman, Miranda Sawyer, Norman Cook, Trevor Horn, Neil Sedaka, Paul Morley, Rob Davies, Lavinia Greenlaw, Brian Wilson and Mike Love.
Last on
The 12 Inch Single
Paul Morley on the 7-inch single's grand relative and its peak in the 80s.
Clips
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What does playing a record mean?
Duration: 01:37
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The Joy of B-Sides
Duration: 02:08
Music Played
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Roy Orbison
It's Over
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Four Tops
Reach Out I'll Be There
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The Shadows
Apache
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Suzi Quatro
Devil Gate Drive
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Booker T. & The M.G.'s
Green Onions
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Jet Harris & Tony Meehan
Diamonds
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Ian Dury & the Blockheads
Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
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The Smiths
How Soon Is Now?
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The Hollies
Look Through Any Window
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Mud
Tiger Feet
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Slade
Cum On Feel The Noize
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Joy Division
Transmission
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Little Eva
The Loco-Motion
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Buggles
Video Killed The Radio Star
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Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Two Tribes
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Jean鈥怣ichel Jarre
Oxyg猫ne Part III
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Producer | Chris Rodley |
Director | Chris Rodley |
Broadcasts
- Fri 23 Nov 2012 21:00
- Sat 24 Nov 2012 00:00
- Mon 26 Nov 2012 00:35
- Sun 13 Jan 2013 01:30
- Sat 23 Feb 2013 22:45
- Fri 12 Jul 2013 22:30
- Sat 13 Jul 2013 02:30
- Mon 15 Jul 2013 00:30
- Christmas Day 2013 00:05
- Mon 24 Feb 2014 21:00
- Tue 25 Feb 2014 03:00
- Wed 8 Oct 2014 00:25
- Fri 16 Oct 2015 21:00
- Sat 17 Oct 2015 01:00
- Sat 17 Oct 2015 22:55
- Boxing Day 2015 00:30
- Thu 7 Jan 2016 23:00
- Sat 27 Feb 2016 02:50
- Sun 28 Feb 2016 02:00
- Fri 2 Dec 2016 21:00
- Sat 3 Dec 2016 00:25
- Fri 28 Apr 2017 22:30
- Sat 20 Jan 2018 00:30
- Fri 9 Nov 2018 23:00
- Sun 10 Mar 2019 01:40
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