Stuff We Like to Play
Jim- Guitars @ CuzinEddy
The Song: Million Miles Away…
Artist: The Plimsouls…
Album: Live @ Whiskey- 1981; & Everywhere at Once-1983
Cultural Significance: Featured in 1983 Movie “Valley Girl” Starring Nick Cage & Deb Foreman… Song is played in background while Randy (Nick Cage) takes Julie (Deb Foreman) to his favorite underground club in West Hollywood.
When / Where did I first hear the song? Summer 1983
Memories / Musings: Never really thought a lot about the song until several years later... probably late 1980’s… My friends and I followed a local St. Louis band called “Big Fun”. Million Miles Away was one of their signature covers. At least that’s how I remember it. I loved that band and I’ve always loved the song after that. Those of you familiar with the St. Louis music scene in the 1980’s will remember “Big Fun” as one of the house bands at Mississippi Nights. Great memories on Laclede’s Landing in the 80’s rocking with Big Fun!
Why I like to play it: … Giant Fender Tele & Rickenbacher guitar tones. Cool guitar hook… lots of punch and bite. Love the solo as well. Makes you instantly want to PoGo.
Gear: Fender Telecaster, Mesa Lonestar (clean), Studio Daydream KLON, Keeley Reverb, Boss CE-2w (low in mix)
What Makes it Great: It’s one of those 3 chords & the truth songs… & a great example of a Power Pop song before that term existed. New Wave meets Power Pop. Last- the connection to the Valley Girl Movie just makes it iconic for late Boomers and Gen X’ers. It’s one of those songs that people say… “Man- I totally forgot about that one! What a great pull.” Or they say- “I know that song… but I don’t know why…” then it’s like… oh yeah… Valley Girl!