An Electronic Reinvention of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic
The early 1980s were a fascinating crossroads for music. The raw energy of punk was giving way to the slick, synth-driven sounds of New Wave, and artists from the previous decade were faced with a choice: adapt or be left behind. For David Essex, a man who had built his career on a blend of pop, rock, and theatrical charm, this period presented a unique challenge. In 1981, he released his eighth studio album, ‘Be-Bop The Future’, and its title track, a cover of the iconic rock ‘n’ roll standard “Be Bop A Lula,” was a bold and audacious attempt to bridge the past with the future. This single, however, was not the chart success that fans had come to expect. It failed to chart in the UK, a surprising turn for an artist whose previous works had consistently dominated the charts. This was part of a larger, unfortunate trend for Essex at the time, as the entire album also failed to make an impact on the charts, becoming his first studio album not to do so.
This version of “Be Bop A Lula” is not merely a cover; it is a complete sonic reimagining. While the original song, a 1956 hit for Gene Vincent, was a raw, primal burst of rockabilly energy, David Essex’s take was something else entirely. Produced and arranged by the legendary Al Kooper, this version stripped away the classic rock ‘n’ roll guitars and replaced them with a futuristic soundscape of Linn drums, sequencers, and synthesizers. The result was a song that sounded almost alien to its original form, a fascinating experiment in genre-bending. It was a conscious effort to update a classic for a new era, to see if the spirit of the 50s could be reborn in the electronic pulse of the 80s. The meaning of the song, originally a simple, lovestruck ode to a girl, was now presented through a lens of futuristic melancholy, its youthful exuberance replaced with a more detached, yet still strangely heartfelt, vibe.
For those of us who remember both the raw simplicity of Gene Vincent’s original and the vibrant, sometimes strange, sound of early 80s pop, this song is a potent reminder of a time of transition. It evokes a sense of both nostalgia and a certain wistful reflection on how much music, and the world, had changed. Hearing David Essex’s familiar voice over these new, electronic textures was both jarring and exciting. It was the sound of an artist taking a risk, and for many older listeners, it was a moment of coming to terms with the evolving musical landscape. It was a time when our cherished rock and pop heroes were trying to find their place in a world of synth-pop and drum machines. While it may not have been a commercial triumph, “Be Bop A Lula” from ‘Be-Bop The Future’ is a cult classic for a reason. It is a bold statement, a song that captures the spirit of an entire era of musical experimentation. It stands as a fascinating footnote in David Essex‘s long career, a testament to his willingness to challenge himself and his audience. It reminds us that not every artistic venture is a smash hit, but some of the most interesting and enduring works are the ones that dare to be different. It’s a song that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a music lover, to appreciate not just the hits, but the brave and often forgotten experiments that paved the way for the future.
Oldies Songs