For many fans, certain songs become deeply intertwined with personal memories and periods of intense fandom. For me, Manic Street Preachers’ “1985” is one of those tracks. Released on their seventh album, Lifeblood, “1985 Song” arrived at a peak moment in my Manics obsession. Having immersed myself in their discography a few years prior, Lifeblood was the first album cycle I experienced as a dedicated follower, eagerly consuming every scrap of news from fan forums, hunting down early live performances, and downloading grainy radio rips of new songs. The anticipation was immense, self-imposed, and incredibly exciting. When rumors circulated that the album had broken street date in Finland, appearing in shops early, I rushed out immediately to verify, and to my delight, it was true. When “1985” reached its soaring chorus for the first time through my speakers, pure joy erupted, and I was bouncing around the room.
That memory, now tinged with both embarrassment and fondness, perfectly encapsulates the exhilarating rush that “1985” still delivers. As an album opener, it’s masterful. It gently introduces you to Lifeblood‘s sonic landscape before igniting, building intensity and then leaping into the euphoric chorus. That launch is quintessential Manics magic, and when that chorus hits, it’s pure elation. Even now, that younger, fervent self resonates deeply; the urge to jump around the room remains irresistible.
“1985” isn’t just a great album opener; it’s a monumental achievement for the Manics, a rightful addition to their iconic anthem repertoire. Even the band, perhaps begrudgingly, acknowledges its power, occasionally dusting it off for live performances, often as the sole Lifeblood track in the setlist. It’s a sonic explosion of… well, everything. The production is intricate yet beautifully layered, allowing each element – the rich tapestry of keyboards, the processed guitars and drums, the lush vocal harmonies – to shine with crystalline clarity. Greg Haver’s production here is arguably the finest the Manics have ever benefited from, and “1985” stands as a prime example. Every element in its vibrant arrangement rings out, emphasizing the sheer emotional impact of the song. To reiterate, “soaring” truly is the perfect descriptor for “1985”; its sky-high melodies surge forward with liberation and unbridled excitement.
Image: Manic Street Preachers in concert, showcasing their energetic performance style.
However, like all nostalgia, there’s a subtle undercurrent of melancholy within the reminiscence, a bittersweetness that subtly permeates “1985”. The year itself marks the genesis of the Manics, when a group of Welsh friends first conceived of forming a band. Lyrically, the song oscillates between warm reflections on formative inspirations – nods to Morrissey and Marr, Nietzsche, and Orwell – and a more contemporary wistfulness, captured in the line, “we’ve realised there’s no going back.” The raw defiance of the young Manics is palpable, a sense of circling the wagons, building defenses against the world. There are veiled references to the Welsh miners’ strike, a significant event during their formative years, undoubtedly shaping the worldview of these teenage rebels. While the lyrics touch upon both personal and political themes, the underlying message is clear: acknowledge the past, understand its influence, but ultimately, move forward. “1985 song” becomes a triumphant battle against stagnation, a beaming declaration of progress as it sets the stage for the sonically reinvented Lifeblood, an album the band knew would be divisive.
“1985” song should have been a single. It possessed all the hallmarks of a perfect lead single for Lifeblood and deserves a permanent, celebrated place in their discography. The Manics’ back catalog is littered with “lost singles,” but this is perhaps the most glaring omission, the one that fans have lamented for years. While chart success is never guaranteed, “1985” is undeniably one of their greatest recordings, still capable of evoking that initial ecstatic thrill.
The Finnish music blog Rockmusica, in their Lifeblood review, astutely described the album as “three men looking at themselves in the mirror, then looking at each other and finally writing an album about what they saw.” “1985” perfectly embodies this introspective yet outward-facing sentiment.
The 20th-anniversary edition of Lifeblood is a treasure trove for “1985” enthusiasts, offering four new versions of this standout track. The “alternative version” is particularly compelling. Labeled as a rough demo, it’s a starkly beautiful rendition featuring just James Dean Bradfield’s guitar and a dramatically poignant piano. With a completely different melody and structure, it transforms the song into a theatrical, torch song, brimming with raw passion, a far cry from the polished, soaring album version. It’s not just a fascinating glimpse into the song’s evolution but a genuinely captivating version in its own right, worthy of repeated listens. The other demo is closer to the final arrangement but retains some of the alternative version’s fiery grandeur, particularly in the chorus, with a more prominent drum beat driving the song forward.
Image: The artwork for the 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Lifeblood, featuring multiple versions of “1985”.
The reissue also includes two intriguing remixes. One is by Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson, a reciprocal gesture after the Manics remixed one of his tracks on the deluxe edition of his 2023 album, The Harmony Codex. Wilson’s “Extended Eighties Mix” draws inspiration from the classic extended remixes of the 1980s, stretching out the original song, amplifying its instrumental sections, and allowing the already epic build-ups to reach even greater heights. It’s essentially “1985” amplified, a welcome reimagining. The other remix, by Gwenno, a previous Manics collaborator, bathes the song in echo and reverb, evoking a Manics remix from around 2001 – a nostalgic and enjoyable addition to their remix catalog, even if Wilson’s mix arguably takes the crown.
In conclusion, “1985” song stands as a testament to Manic Street Preachers’ enduring artistry. It’s a song that encapsulates youthful ambition, nostalgic reflection, and the vital drive to move forward. Whether you experienced it during the initial Lifeblood era or are discovering it now, “1985” continues to resonate with its powerful melodies, poignant lyrics, and undeniable anthemic spirit. It’s more than just a song; it’s a moment, a memory, and a timeless Manics classic.
