Buzzcocks – I Don’t Mind

I’ve always thought the Buzzcocks sat right in that sweet spot between punk and power pop. They had the speed and attitude of punk, but Pete Shelley could write a great pop melody. That’s what keeps me coming back to their music. This is one of those songs that grabs you immediately and never lets go. It’s proof that you don’t have to choose between raw energy and a great pop hook. Sometimes you can have both, and the Buzzcocks did it as well as just about anyone.

They chose the name Buzzcocks after reading the headline, “It’s the Buzz, Cock!”, in a review of the TV series Rock Follies in Time Out magazine. The “buzz” is the excitement of playing on stage; “cock” is northern English slang meaning friend. They were formed in 1976 by Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto after seeing the Sex Pistols. They were able to blend punk’s spirit and sound with pop.

When people talk about the first wave of British punk, names like the Sex Pistols and The Clash usually come up first. But the Buzzcocks carved out a sound all their own. They had the energy and urgency of punk, but they also wrote songs packed with unforgettable melodies and pop sensibilities. That combination would later influence countless pop-punk and power pop bands.

The album Another Music in a Different Kitchen was released in 1978. This song was written by guitarist Pete Shelley and produced by Martin Rushent. Shelley handled most of the songwriting, while Steve Diggle’s driving guitar and John Maher’s energetic drumming gave the band its sound. Unlike many of their punk contemporaries, the Buzzcocks weren’t afraid to write songs about relationships, uncertainty, and everyday emotions rather than politics or rebellion.

Although it wasn’t one of the band’s biggest chart hits, it has become a favorite among fans and remains a highlight of Another Music in a Different Kitchen. Looking back, it’s easy to hear why the Buzzcocks continue to be so influential. They proved that punk could have great melodies, smart lyrics, and hooks every bit as memorable as traditional pop music. Their influence can still be heard in bands decades later.

The song peaked at #55 in the UK in 1978. The album Another Music in a Different Kitchen peaked at #15 on the UK Album Charts.

I Don’t Mind

Reality’s a dream
A game in which I seem
To never find out just what I am
I don’t know if I’m an actor or ham
A shamen or sham
But if you don’t mind
I don’t mind

I’m lost without a clue
So how can I undo
The tangle of these webs I keep weaving
I don’t know if I should be believing
Deceptive perceiving
But if you don’t mind
I don’t mind

I used to bet that you didn’t care
But gambling never got me anywhere
Each time I used to feel so sure
Something about you made me doubt you more

How can you convince me
When everything I see
Just makes me feel you’re putting me down
And if it’s true this pathetic clown’ll
Keep hanging around
That’s if you don’t mind
I don’t mind

I used to bet that you didn’t care
But gambling never got me anywhere
Each time I used to be so sure
Something about you made me doubt you more

I even think you hate me when you call me on the phone
And sometimes when we go out I wish I’d stayed at home
And when I’m dreaming or just lying in my bed
I think you’ve got it in for me
Is it all in my head is it in my head

How can you convince me
When everything I see
Just makes me feel you’re putting me down
And if it’s true this pathetic clown’ll
Keep hanging around
That’s if you don’t mind
I don’t mind
I don’t mind