~
vinyl LP front cover
cover photo by Martyn Goddard
photo of album cover by Styrous®
This month is the birthday of James Warren and Andy Davis who founded The Korgis in 1978. Davis was born on August 10, 1949, in Yatton, a small village in North Somerset, UK. and Warren was born on August 25, 1951, in Bristol, South West England.
Their big hit was Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime, what I call "easy new wave", the equivalent of "easy rock".
I have two favorites (of course) from their first album, The Korgis, Young and Russian and Boots and Shoes. My first choice is Boots! Boots has everything I could desire in a new wave song, a fantastic beat to dance to, nice variations and fun lyrics.
You're my friend I hear you say
But I can't see you anyway
You keep that sack on your head all day
And when you dance you never sweat
You do the hustle like a minuet
You're the strangest thing on two legs that I've ever met
No I don't wanna Prima Donna in drag
And I can never imagine why
You always keep on
Your boots and shoes
You're sweet kid but you can't stand to lose
You keep on your boots and shoes
You're a neat kid
You're losing weight to keep in trim
Your friends all wonder how you stay so slim
But you forget about the state that I'm in
Everyday you count your gains
Amino acid pumping through your veins
You say you're liberated but you're in chains
No I don't wanna Prima Donna in drag
And I can never imagine why
You always keep on
Your boots and shoes
You're sweet kid but you can't stand to lose
You keep on your boots and shoes
You're a neat kid
But you can't stand to lose
You just can't stand it
But I can't see you anyway
You keep that sack on your head all day
And when you dance you never sweat
You do the hustle like a minuet
You're the strangest thing on two legs that I've ever met
No I don't wanna Prima Donna in drag
And I can never imagine why
You always keep on
Your boots and shoes
You're sweet kid but you can't stand to lose
You keep on your boots and shoes
You're a neat kid
You're losing weight to keep in trim
Your friends all wonder how you stay so slim
But you forget about the state that I'm in
Everyday you count your gains
Amino acid pumping through your veins
You say you're liberated but you're in chains
No I don't wanna Prima Donna in drag
And I can never imagine why
You always keep on
Your boots and shoes
You're sweet kid but you can't stand to lose
You keep on your boots and shoes
You're a neat kid
But you can't stand to lose
You just can't stand it
vinyl LP record sleeve, front & back
Art Direction: George Rowbottom & Julian Balme
photo by Styrous®
The Korgis released their first single Young 'n' Russian in February 1979 on the label Rialto Records, owned by their managers Nick Heath and Tim Heath. Joined briefly by drummer Bill Birks; their next single If I Had You, was released soon after and moved up to number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, featuring on Top of the Pops and prompting the release of an eponymous debut album, The Korgis, in July 1979.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
Side 1:
A1 - Young 'N' Russian - 3:13
A2 - I Just Can't Help It - 3:47
A3 - Chinese Girl - 2:16
A4 - Art School Annexe - 3:33
A5 - Boots And Shoes - 4:32
A2 - I Just Can't Help It - 3:47
A3 - Chinese Girl - 2:16
A4 - Art School Annexe - 3:33
A5 - Boots And Shoes - 4:32
Side 2:
B1 - Dirty Postcards - 4:43
B2 - O Maxine - 2:37
B3 - Mount Everest Sings The Blues - 2:30
B4 - Cold Tea - 4:28
B5 - If I Had You - 3:56
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Crescent Studios
Copyright © – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Published By – Warner Bros. Music Ltd.
Published By – Heath Music Ltd.
Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles
Credits:
Art Direction – George Rowbottom, Julian Balme
Backing Vocals – Jo Mullet, Jo Pomeroy
Bass – James Warren
Drums – Al Powell*, Andy Davis, Bill Birks
Engineer – David Lord
Engineer [Assistant] – Glenn Tommey
Harmonica – Keith Warmington
Keyboards – Andy Davis, David Lord, Glenn Tommey, Phil Harrison
Management – Heath Bros.
Mandolin – Andy Davis, Stuart Gordon
Percussion – Bill Birks, Kenny Lacey, Phil Harrison, Stuart Gordon
Photography By – Martyn Goddard
Producer – The Korgis
Violin – Stuart Gordon
Vocals – Andy Davis, James Warren
Written-By – Davis* (tracks: A1 to A5, B5), Ridlington* (tracks: A1), Warren* (tracks: A1, A5 to B4)
Notes:
Recorded at Crescent Studios, Bath, England.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
The Korgis – The Korgis
Label: Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3349, Rialto – BSK 3349
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: New Wave, Pop Rock, Synth-pop
