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Swingin' Singles was the second Scruffs album recorded in Glasgow, Scotland.

The empathy across the water is clearly heard here in an album which captures all the strengths of Burns' muse. It's been a long road from 'Wanna Meet The Scruffs?' but 'Swingin' Singles' proves the journey is worthwhile.


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Swingin' Singles Lyrics

Swingin' Singles

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Back at the bar following an Alex Chilton gig at Glasgow’s 13th Note, I struck up a conversation with an American who described himself as a long-time friend of the former Big Star singer. As we continued to talk he casually mentioned a band he’d been in during the ‘70s - The Scruffs. “’Wanna’ Meet The Scruffs?’” I shouted and for the first time shook hands with Stephen Burns.

Released in 1977, “Wanna’ Meet The Scruffs?” is one of these classic power pop albums, firmly part of a heritage embracing the Raspberries, the Shoes, Dwight Twilley and, of course, Big Star. The Scruffs recorded at Ardent, the same studio Chilton’s band had used and both shared a similar love of British ‘60s music, notably the Beatles and the Kinks.

Bursting with melody and gritty determination, “Wanna’ Meet The Scruffs?” was sadly doomed to cult status thanks to limited distribution and a print run of a mere 2500. Two
unissued sets, “Teenage Gurls” and “Midtown”, would follow before the band broke up. (Their three albums have now been (re)issued alongside “Angst”, a collection of early recordings.)

By the time Stephen and Alex were in Glasgow towards the end of the ‘90s, Chilton’s stature had been enhanced by a clutch of local musicians drawing inspiration from Big Star’s well. Members of Teenage Fanclub and V-Twin, amongst others, were equally aware of Burns’ heritage and, reinvigorated, he ressurected the Scruffs’ name.

“Love, the Scruffs”, released in 2001, featured Stepehen in
collaboration with Wil O’Brien (guitar), Bobby Kildea (V-Twin,
Belle and Sebastian - bass) and Francis Macdonald (drums -
Teenage Fanclub, Radio Sweethearts and more). The empathy across the water was clearly heard.

“Swingin’ Singles” continues this marvellous collaboration.
Kildea and Macdonald remain alongside an expanded cast of
Simon Cottrell (bass), Zachary Ware (guitar), Gary Thom (drums) and guest appearances from various Glasgow alumni. The album captures all the strengths of Burns’ muse. Fans of ‘My Mind’ will warm immediately to ‘Yesterday Girl Gone’ and ‘Lovin’ And Lyin’ Game’, while the poignancy of the twinned songs ‘Stars’ and ‘Will I Love You’ is deeply moving, buoyed by a delicate string arrangement worthy of the Left Banke or their successors, Stories.

Lyrically, Burns still explores a darker psyche, as evidenced by titles such as ‘Death To My Love’ and ‘Hit Me When You Want To (Go)’, the latter an aching, deeply personal, ballad.
For the rest, just listen. It’s been a long road from “Wanna
Meet The Scruffs?” but “Swingin’ Singles” proves the journey is worthwhile.

Brian Hogg
May 2003