 | So I’ve had a theory for awhile now that Jonathan Richman wrote the first straight edge song, at least unintentionally. Now this contradicts the accepted belief that Ian Mackaye and Minor Threat wrote the first straight edge song in the early 80’s. Well Jonathan Richman and his band the Modern Lovers pre-dates Minor Threat by like 8 or 9 years. |
Their debut LP was recorded in 1973 and had a great song called “I’m Straight” (well the whole fucking album is great). The song basically talks about how Jonathan wanted some chick who went out with “hippy Johnny”, but poor Jonathan didn’t do drugs. It’s pretty funny and an incredibly weird thing to sing about during that time period. The song even has the first straight edge sing-a-long chorus towards the end. So I declare that Jonathan Richman wrote the first straight edge song….but you know, who really gives a fuck. Just listen to this because it’s the Modern Lovers.
If you don’t own the first Modern Lovers record than go out and buy it right now. Jonathan Richman was heavily influenced by the Velvet Underground and John Cale even produced their album. Like I said, it was recorded in 1973, but wasn’t released until 1976. The Modern Lovers laid the blueprint for what we now know as “indie rock”. They were very influential and totally essential.
Modern Lovers- "I'm Straight"mp3