Best tunes of 1993: #8 James “Laid”

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“This bed is on fire with passionate love, the neighbours complain about the noises above, but she only comes when she’s on top”

If there’s one song by Manchester-based alternative rock band, James, that you’re bound to know, it’s “Laid”. The title track off their 1993 album is their biggest hit outside of England, especially here in North America where it gained popularity when it was used for the trailers for the first two “American pie” films. Before that, though, it was featured on the first “Frosh” compilation, wildly popular here in Canada in the late 90s, so pretty much anyone of a certain age who was in university or college here around that time knows these first couple of lines quite well. And for sure, they shouted along with them on a packed dance floor or three.

For myself, I’ve been a huge fan of the band since the early 90s and still follow them closely today, as you might already have guessed if you’ve been around these parts before. “Laid” was actually the first album I owned by the band. I picked it up on CD from BMG* after seeing the video for an early single called “Sit down” on MuchMusic’s “CityLimits” and deciding to check them out further. That the album title was provocative didn’t even occur to me until I received my order and I noticed the band photo on the cover and its members’ various states of cross-dress. “Laid”, both the album and the song, became quick favourites of mine, with repeat listens and repeat listens, and remain favourites and see a lot of repeat listens, still, to this day.

“Dressed me up in women’s clothes
Messed around with gender roles
Line my eyes and call me pretty”

The only problem I really have with “Laid” (the song) is that it leaves you wanting more. It is way too short, coming in at just over two and a half minutes. Other than that, it’s pure pop perfection. Staccato and popping drumming, a wooly wall of sound instrumentation care of the massive band and Brian Eno’s intricate production, and, of course, the inimitable vocals of frontman Tim Booth. The words are a fun and hilarious companion to the dance-ready tune, a real floor filler, and creator of good times and good memories.

Go ahead now. Press play, turn it up, and I dare you to not to stomp your feet wildly to that rhythm, wave your arms above your head with abandon, and howl the title “Laid” loudly along with Booth at each chorus break.