Punk for me (I was a teen when it all started) was always very much about my generation. At the time I don’t think I noticed how incredibly young we all were.

Behold the zit-filled faces of The Undertones, looking like they had to ask their mums if it was okay to go out on a school night to shoot this video for Teenage Kicks:

https://www.youtube.com/v/wAtUw6lxcis

And because the Internet is making everything instantly available, here’s footage of the band actually recording the song:

It’s quite incredible that what is arguably one of the best pop songs ever just happened to be used as an example of how records are made!

Yes, I do mean it when I say I think Teenage Kicks is one of the “best pop songs ever”. Who can argue with lyrics as unpretentious as this:

Are teenage dreams so hard to beat
Everytime she walks down the street
Another girl in the neighbourhood
Wish she was mine, she looks so good

I wanna hold her wanna hold her tight

Get teenage kicks right through the night

I’m gonna call her on the telephone

Have her over ‘cos I’m all alone

I need excitement oh I need it bad

And its the best, I’ve ever had

I wanna hold her wanna hold her tight

Get teenage kicks right through the night

I wanna hold her wanna hold her tight

Get teenage kicks right through the night

I only saw The Undertones once, opening for The Clash but I’ve always had a soft spot for them.