The Boomtown Rats are reforming for the Isle of Wight Festival, 26 years after the band last performed together. The Boomtown Rats will be in august company ( albeit in June!! ) as The Killers and Bon Jovi have already been announced as headliners for the Isle of Wight Festival.

Although a step down from the Live Aid gig that Boomtown Rats lead singer Bob Geldof masterminded in July 1985, nevertheless The Isle of Wight festival will give the Boomtown Rats a public profile that they have not had for many a year. In much the same way as appearing at The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert and Olympics Ceremony re-acquainted Madness with an adoring public and a new, younger audience, maybe the Boomtown Rats will have a similar resurgence and renaissance. Like Madness it may lead to a new single and album!!

I don’t feel that the Boomtown Rats ever really got the full credit they deserved. Their break came in 1977, when surfing the crest of the “New Wave”, they produced some reasonable quasi punk songs. In a portent of what was to come, the Boomtown Rats first hit single was “Looking After No1”, a chart position they were to become custodians of twice within the following two years. Initially it seemed the Boomtown Rats were tongue in cheek and didn’t take themselves too seriously, with the snarling, attitude-laden front man Bob Geldof, passing off a good impression of contemporary tennis “Superbrat” John McEnroe. However within a year Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats had graduated to a more sophisticated level, with their first No1 “Rat Trap”. This was backed up by another No1 in August 1979 “I Don’t Like Mondays”, which was similarly anthemic.

Although the Boomtown Rats never reached the same exalted heights of No1 again, Bob Geldof continued to pen some good songs, with something of a social message. Although not in the same satirical / political league as contemporaries The Specials or having the same entertainment level as Madness, Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats still crafted some worthy songs with a political edge. As a reminder of this, here’s a Recordpress Top 5 Best Boomtown Rats Songs –

Top 5 Best Boomtown Rats Songs

1) I Don’t Like Mondays ( No1 1979 )

2) Banana Republic ( No3 1980 )

3) Someone’s Looking At You ( No4 1980 )

4) Rat Trap ( No1 1978 )

5) Like Clockwork ( No6 1978 )

Which are your favourite Boomtown Rats songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your favourite Boomtown Rats song in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Boomtown Rats  song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Also available – the DVD of your favourite film or TV programme framed with a personalised engraved plaque  ORDER NOW… www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

For further information, merchandise or memorabilia, go to the Boomtown Rats website…… http://www.boomtownrats.co.uk/