Smalltown boy

The lyrics of the song raise key issues for the homosexual culture of the 1980s, in particular the misunderstanding of parents and homophobic sentiments in British society . Considering that the situation has not changed much in many countries to this day, the theme of the song can be defined as “eternal”, timeless. The problem of loneliness, alienation from society, and the family is also addressed.

A little later, after the release of the single, a video was shot where “young gay” ( Jimmy Summerville ), vocalist Bronski Beat played the role of the lyrical hero of the composition.

The video clip shows the story of the lyrical hero of the composition, played by the band's vocalist Jimmy Summerville. A young guy gets on a train, followed by a video in the form of his memories showing his childhood (a typical Tikhoni boy from a small English town) and the events that led to him now having to leave his hometown.

In the local pool, the guy is watching one of the swimmers that he likes. His friends (played by other band members Larry Steibachek and Jonathan Heller) persuade him to admit to his feelings. The guy comes to the swimmer in the locker room, but he only falls into bewilderment and the guy leaves. Later, he and his friends are attacked on the street by a homophobic group led by a swimmer. A policeman brings him home, where his negative parents are waiting for him. And although in the end the son’s alleged cuming out , the father is still critical. After a cold farewell to his parents, the guy gets on the train, where he will reunite with friends and they leave the city.

7 "single

1. Smalltown Boy - 3:58
2. Memories - 3:00

12 "maxi

1. Smalltown Boy - 9:00
2. "Infatuation"
3. "Memories"

• 1996 - The Nylons , Run for Cover album . This version included only percussion and vocals.
• 1996 - Depressive Age , a German progressive / techno-thrash metal band, released the album Electric Scum , containing a cover version of the song. In 1997, the song was also published on the EP Smalltown Boy . A video clip was also shot.
• 2000 - Rosetta Stone ( Unerotica album).
• 2002 - Paradise Lost , an English gothic metal band, released the album Symbol of Life , in which the bonus track was a cover version of "Smalltown Boy".
• 2005 - Swedish singer September sampled the tune in " Cry for You ".
• 2006 - The Fire ^{[ who? ]} made a cover of “Smalltown Boy” and they registered the videoclip. This cover is on the album Loverdrive .
• 2006 - Supermode ^{[ who? ]} presented “Tell Me Why,” containing melodic samples from “Smalltown Boy” and lyrics from another Bronski Beat track titled Why ?.
• 2006 - duet of two Swedish DJs Steve Angello and Axwell (under the pseudonym Supermode) released a remix of the song “Smalltown boy” called “Tell Me Why”, in the style of an electro-house .
• 2007 - José González ^{[ who? ]} made a cover of “Smalltown Boy” and released it as a B-side on the single for his own “Down the Line”.
• 2008 - Atrocity , a German metal band, a cover of a song in the album " Werk 80 II ".
• 2009 - And One did a cover of “Smalltown Boy” and it was released on the Bodypop 1.5 album along with other iconic 80's tracks.
• 2009 - Delain , the Dutch symphonic metal band, performed a cover of "Smalltown Boy" on the re-release of their album " April Rain ".
• 2010 - Sharon Corr made a cover of the song for her debut album Dream of You .
• Herman Düne ^{[ who? ]} , also known as Andre Human Dune, have covered "Smalltown Boy" and their version was featured in a British TV drama, Skins , in the ninth episode of the third series .
• 2011 - Electrelane ^{[ who? ]} performed a cover version at several performances of her summer reunion tour.
• 2012 - Oomph! Kleinstadtboy song ( Des Wahnsinns Fette Beute album).
• 2014 - Solitary Experiments , a German electronic band in the EBM style, recorded a cover for the 30th anniversary of the release of the original composition, including it as part of its 20th Anniversary Compilation .

The catchy riff from “Smalltown Boy” can be heard among some other songs, including:

• In 1993, the Real McCoy included the riff in their song "Automatic Lover (Call for Love)" .
• In 1995, German DJ and producer Marc Trauner (under his Wonderboy alias) sampled the tune in "Wave Of Rave". ^[one]
• In 2009, The Presets remixed Cagedbaby's "Hello There." The remix included the riff from "Smalltown Boy".
• The German TV show Disco Deluxe remixed Destiny's Child 's “ Say My Name ” with the riff of “Smalltown Boy” so it was playing while Destiny's Child was singing.
• A very similar riff to Bronski Beat's "Smalltown Boy" can be heard in the Groove Armada track "History", with lead vocals from Will Young .
• In 2006, Axwell and Steve Angello, under the Supermode alias, remixed the song, producing "Tell Me Why."
• In 2006, Axel Rudi Pell used the riff for the song The Curse of the Damned, from the Mystica album.

¹ Jimmy Somerville with Bronski Beat, 1991 remix