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
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Way cool band! 😎
This is a pretty catchy one. I only first heard it within the last year, they didn’t get as much notice where I was as other British or Irish ‘punk’ bands but your description of them seems pretty correct. John Peel was a big supporter of theirs over on the BBC which no doubt boosted their career
I don’t get why they weren’t played over here more…they had a bunch of radio friendly songs.
Yeah, even CFNY in Toronto seemed to mainly overlook them. ‘First Wave’ on Sirius and more specifically Richard Blade there is the only place where I’ve heard them more than maybe once a year.
I like them more than many of their punk peers…they fused together pop/punk nicely.
Great band. Good to hear that they are still going. Sadly without Pete of course.
Yea…I remember when he passed. That was when I really found out about them. They didn’t get radio play over here sadly.
You’re hitting me with a few bands that I’m not as familiar with as I should be. I liked these guys but again never took a deep dive.
They combine a lot what I like…the energy of punk with the catchiness (without being too sweet) of the melodies…
The Buzzcocks never had any US Billboard hits, but I have heard a few of their songs.
I never heard them when I grew up in the 80s…but I am making up for lost time now.
Same here!
Yup it rules. I don’t know why I’ve never checked out the albums, since Singles Going Steady is classic after classic.
I always thought of them as a singles band…but I could be wrong.
Yeah, the comp is the one that always makes best of lists. But surely they have more good songs.
Yep, your description of them is spot on. Speed without thrash, a punky chorus that doesn’t feel like you’re being spat at; nicely in the middle. Strange they fell flat in the US talent-wise, but then the US didn’t really embrace the second Brit Invasion.
No they didn’t embrace it all…I never heard them or their peers at the time…only from my cool friends lol.
Listening to it, I’d have to agree with this: “songs packed with unforgettable melodies and pop sensibilities. “
Thanks for listening Lisa as always!
Great song, Max, and good reminder to revisit Buzzcocks, a group I’ve covered a few times myself – after you or another fellow blogger had brought them to my attention initially. “I Don’t Mind” sounds like power pop with a nice edge. Good stuff!
It’s pretty much crunchy power pop…I love the energy and the melodies…
I think I would recognize maybe two of thier songs. I do remember that scene at the time. Perhaps it was that cross section you mentioned that got them overlooked in North America? Then again not the first time that has happened!
Yea…they just were not played a lot here. Along with earlier acts Slade, T-Rex, and others. Some of my cool buddies had a lot of import records with some of these acts.
I had a college buddy who was 100% Team Buzzcocks. He loved them and introduced me to their sound via those import records.