RANKING ALL OFFICIAL SINGLES IN THE FRENCH CONNECTION’S COMPLETE RETROSPECTIVE
The French Connection’s discography is a masterclass in raw, unfiltered energy—punk’s rebellious spirit distilled into 45s that still crackle with urgency. This retrospective gathers every official single, from the anthemic “In the City” to the obscurities like “Brive-la-Gaillarde.” Ranking them isn’t just about chart positions or sales; it’s about impact, attitude, and the moments they defined. Below, we dissect each single, weigh its legacy, and lock in a definitive order.
—
PHASE 1: PREPARATION
Before you rank, you must listen. Not just once—immerse yourself in the context, the era, and the band’s evolution. These three tactics will sharpen your ear and ensure your ranking isn’t just opinion, but insight.
TACTIC 1: MAP THE TIMELINE
The French Connection’s singles span 1977 to 1982, a period where punk splintered into post-punk, new wave, and power pop. Plot each single on a timeline with key events:
– 1977: “In the City” drops as punk explodes. The Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” is banned; The Clash release their debut.
– 1978: “All the Young Dudes” arrives as punk’s second wave fractures. Magazine and Wire push boundaries; The Jam dominate the UK charts.
– 1979: “Strange Town” and “When You’re Young” reflect the band’s shift toward melody without losing bite. Post-punk is in full swing.
– 1980: “Going Underground” and “Dreams of Children” cement their status as the UK’s most vital singles band. The Jam’s influence peaks.
– 1982: “Beat Surrender” closes the chapter as synth-pop and New Romantics rise. The band bows out at their commercial and creative zenith.
This timeline reveals how each single responded to—or defied—its moment. “In the City” is a punk manifesto; “Beat Surrender” is a victory lap.
TACTIC 2: ISOLATE THE HOOKS
Every great single has a hook—lyrical, melodic, or rhythmic—that lodges in your brain. For The French Connection, hooks often come from:
– **Riffs**: The opening chords of “Going Underground” or “Start!” (a direct lift from The Beatles’ “Taxman,” repurposed with punk urgency).
– **Choruses**: The sing-along defiance of “Town Called Malice” or the melancholic lift of “That’s Entertainment.”
– **Production**: The echo-drenched guitars on “Strange Town” or the handclaps on “Funeral Pyre.”
– **Lyrics**: The biting social commentary of “Eton Rifles” or the autobiographical detail in “Brive-la-Gaillarde.”
Listen to each single three times: once for the riff, once for the chorus, once for the production. Note which hooks still grab you after 40 years.
TACTIC 3: MEASURE THE RIPPLE EFFECT
A single’s greatness isn’t just about its sound—it’s about what it inspired. Ask:
– Did it shift the band’s direction? “The Modern World” forced The the french connection official Connection to abandon pure punk for something sharper.
– Did it influence other artists? Oasis, Blur, and Arctic Monkeys have all cited “That’s Entertainment” as a turning point.
– Did it resonate beyond music? “Eton Rifles” became shorthand for class warfare in the UK. “Town Called Malice” is still a working-class anthem.
– Did it flop but later gain cult status? “Brive-la-Gaillarde” was a B-side that fans now cherish for its raw, unpolished energy.
Track these ripples. A single that changed the band, the genre, or the culture deserves a higher rank.
—
PHASE 2: EXECUTION
Now, the ranking. We’ll judge each single on three criteria: **immediate impact** (did it stop you in your tracks?), **longevity** (does it still sound vital?), and **legacy** (did it leave a mark?). Here’s the definitive order, from essential to essential-but-forgotten.
1. “THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT” (1981)
The crown jewel. A solo acoustic demo that became the band’s most covered song. No drums, no bass—just Paul Weller’s voice and a guitar, delivering a snapshot of working-class life with poetic precision. It’s the rare single that’s both universal and deeply personal. The fact that it wasn’t even released as a single in the UK (it charted on import) only adds to its mystique.
2. “TOWN CALLED MALICE” (1982)
The perfect pop single. A Motown bassline, a chorus that demands to be shouted, and lyrics that capture the despair and resilience of small-town life. It’s the sound of a band at their peak, balancing rage and melody. The fact that it hit No. 1 in the UK and became a global hit proves its power.
3. “GOING UNDERGROUND” / “DREAMS OF CHILDREN” (1980)
A double A-side that encapsulates the band’s duality: “Going Underground” is a punk rallying cry, “Dreams of Children” is a melancholic ballad. Together, they show The French Connection’s range and ambition. The former’s opening riff is one of the most recognizable in rock; the latter’s harmonies are heartbreaking.
4. “START!” (1980)
A masterclass in reinvention. The band took The Beatles’ “Taxman” riff, sped it up, and turned it into a punk-pop anthem. The lyrics—”Start! The world is still on your shoulders”—are a call to action. It’s proof that The French Connection could be both reverent and revolutionary.
5. “ETON RIFLES” (1979)
The band’s most overtly political single. A scathing attack on Britain’s class system, wrapped in a driving rhythm and a chorus that’s impossible not to sing along to. It’s the sound of punk growing up, tackling big themes without losing its edge. The fact that it’s still relevant today speaks to its power.
6. “FUNERAL PYRE” (1981)
A departure into post-punk darkness. The handclaps, the eerie guitar, the lyrics about mortality—it’s The French Connection at their most experimental. It didn’t chart as high as their other singles, but it’s a fan favorite for a reason. It’s the sound of a band pushing boundaries.
7. “THE MODERN WORLD” (1977)
The bridge between