The Producers, "She Sheila"

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Nobody sings in their car anymore.  And when was that last time you sat in traffic behind a car that was literally shaking from a driver gyrating to a song that spoke to his or her soul? I bet it’s been a while. What does this say about us? We can talk about the limitations of a young generation hooked on Ritalin and living in a virtual world where “lol” is ubiquitous but actually laughing out loud is rare. But maybe the problem is the music. 

There’s some nice musicianship out there these days. Some unique sounds and catchy melodies are coming from a wide variety of bands and singer/song-writers. And lyrics are less ridiculous than at any point in recent history.  But there is a distinct lack of umph.  I sometimes question whether anyone even aspires to move you to move and sing in spite of your tone-deafness and general awkwardness.  Which leads me, at long last, to today’s Mad World Mix Tape Track; She Sheila by the Producers.   

It’s a song of slightly-pathetic obsession with what I guess is a magazine model. Not exactly Tolstoy, but umph galore. It may or may not bring you to strain your vocal cords when no one is in earshot, but if it doesn’t at least incite some lower lip biting and head bobbing, then, well, I give up.

In spite of the fact that the song never hit the top 40, you might recognize it if you spent your early 80’s teenage years planted in front of early-era MTV, where “She Sheila enjoyed heavy rotation for a bit in 1982. With a fresh perspective enabled by a few years between listens, a few new insights hit home.  Not all of them favorable. The song stands the test of time and does not reek of 80’s like some other favorites. To be fair, though, the song sounds like it is still waiting for a guitar solo coming out of the bridge, but no shredding from Van Temple on this tune.  Instead, the bridge to nowhere highlights the Producer’s incredibly tight rhythm section that brings the home the urgency and desperation implied in the (very sparse!) lyrics.  And throughout the song, Van’s voice is the embodiment of power pop rock. So you might not want to sing over him every time. 

The Producers never found the big time, but they still occasionally still get together for a live show. The fact that a never-was band still re-unites for their limited but devout fans tells you that there was a genuine connection in their music that is worth a look. 

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