In 1984 Bronski Beat took a personal, heartfelt story and created ‘Smalltown Boy’ which became a worldwide smash. From its striking keyboard opening, and singer Jimmy Somerville’s imploring counter tenor refrain of “Cry, boy, cry”, ‘Smalltown Boy’ has become not only THE enduring anthem for LGBTQI+ communities but a clarion call of hope for all marginalised groups and individuals around the world.
40 years on, ‘Smalltown Boy’s’ inspiration, activism and advocacy has been passed on to London-based DJ and producer ABSOLUTE. (Ant McGinley) Fresh from recent reworks for the likes of Kylie Minogue (‘Padam Padam’) and Fever Ray (‘Shiver’), “When I got asked to rework ‘Smalltown Boy’ I was literally just screaming,” says Ant. “And when I started work on it, it was such an emotional experience. I was welling up while I was making it which is so rare to happen for me, this made me know just how much of a special track this was.”
To celebrate this massive musical milestone, London Records will be re-issuing ‘Smalltown Boy’ in several physical formats, including a numbered, coloured 7-inch, transparent CD single, a music box edition and a new range of ‘Smalltown Boy’ T-Shirts. Pre-order from May 29, release July 26 from the Official Bronski Beat store: https://bronskibeat.tmstor.es/
Enhancing the original with flourishes of arpeggiated synths and 808s, the rework builds towards a driven, emotional, euphoric crescendo, ABSOLUTE.’s rework is indeed special.
McGinley continues: “I was envisaging playing the track as my closing number in the main room at Drumsheds for False Idols, as well as DJing at Panorama Bar at 10am on a Sunday morning, with the sun coming up through the shutters and having a moment of pure, euphoric joy.”
“ABSOLUTE. has kept a strong essence of the period and the song. The Bass …,” says Jimmy Somerville.”I was transported back to our first times writing (banging on a Pro One and a Moog) and me realising I never had to walk around vocally imitating a sequence ever again!”
Smalltown Boy Tracklistings
Smalltown Boy Digital Single
Smalltown Boy (ABSOLUTE. Rework)
Smalltown Boy (ABSOLUTE. Extended Rework)
Smalltown Boy
Smalltown Boy 7-inch single
Smalltown Boy (Edit)
Smalltown Boy (ABSOLUTE. Rework)
Smalltown Boy CD single
Smalltown Boy (Edit)
Smalltown Boy (Reprise)
Smalltown Boy (Symphonic Version)
Smalltown Boy (Extended Sunset Version)
Smalltown Boy (ABSOLUTE. Rework)
Photo credit – press photo