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I have to admit–I had a massive crush on Annabella Lwin back in 1982. But that wasn’t the reason I dug Bow Wow Wow. I liked the band because they “blew a hole in the radio”–well, actually, they weren’t really getting any airplay even on WXRT here in Chicago, but I heard a few songs via video, bought a sampler or two with a song on it, and just loved the sound. Years later, I discovered that there were African folk songs that were pretty much note for note with some of their songs, and given that the infamous Malcolm McLaren was their manager, it doesn’t take much to put two and two together.

Still, I think their music still holds up, and I still listen to it frequently. This particular song is fairly typical of their output, at least while McLaren was manager–salacious, teasing vocals and lyrics, hard pounding bass and drums, and sparse, niggling guitar sounds. Quite excellent, and the fact that Annabella was cute just made it all the better.

Here’s a link to a live performance from 1982

And of course, the lyrics:

Lookin’ for a boy, a real boy, strong boy
Searchin’ for a boy, a tough boy, rough boy
I just love the smell of his leather skin
Just love to feel muscle in his jeans

Give me a cow (cow), give me a boy (boy), give me, give me a cowboy
I’m coming to hunt you down, Geronimo (hear the wolf attack in the canyon)
I’m sure I can’t stand this world much longer