UNRELEASED MATERIAL
Most groups write more material than they eventually use, and Television Personalities are no
exception. This section details many of the songs that have been performed live, but not (yet)
released. In addition, there is also information on record releases that were announced but which
never materialised.
Studying these unreleased songs gives a fascinating insight into Dan's song writing processes.
New songs were often debuted - on many occasions, it seems, taking Jowe and Jeff by surprise - and
developed over weeks and months of live performances, often changing beyond recognition from the original
rendition. Some of the songs listed here are simply sketches, which were tried out before being discarded
in favour of stronger material. However, there are also a number of high quality songs - some of them
vintage Television Personalities material - which makes you wonder why they slipped through the net, and
leaves you wanting to hear more. To view a list of individual unreleased songs, click here.
For a related list of other people's songs that TVP have covered, click here.
UNRELEASED RECORDS
THEN GOD SNAPS HIS FINGERS
A press report in February 1983 stated that a 17 track compilation album of previously
unreleased material with this title would be issued in March of that year, by Whaam!
It was reported that the package would include a magazine.
THE PAINTED WORD
Originally due for release in 1983 on the Whaam! label (BIG 7), press reports at the time claimed
that initial copies of the album would be accompanied by a three-track 7" containing live numbers.
TUNE IN, TURN ON
LIVE IN BERLIN
Both of these albums were listed as forthcoming releases in 1984 for the Whaam! label,
but neither appeared. 'Tune In, Turn On' appears to be yet another suggested title for
the as-yet unreleased second volume of early rarities and outtakes. It was given the
catalogue number BIG 10.
FASHION CONSCIOUS
'Fashion Conscious' seems to have been the eventual preferred title for the second volume of unreleased
material - basically, 'They Could Have Been Bigger Than The Beatles' volume 2. In July 1984, the
music paper 'Sounds' reported that Whaam would be releasing this album in August, along with
'Live In Berlin' (see above).
Although the album failed to materialise, the idea at least didn't evaporate.
In February 1985, a Dreamworld newsletter announced that Dan was mixing and editing an hour's worth
of material ready for release at the end of April. It was said to include four tracks that were left
off the debut TVP album, plus 'tracks recorded for an American LP of British groups which was never
released'. Needless to say, the untitled album did not appear.
In 1987, another music press report stated that 'Fashion Conscious' would be released in March of that year.
It was even given a Dreamworld catalogue number (BIG DREAM 5, later used for the Hangman's Beautiful Daughters'
"Trash Mantra" LP). Again, sadly no product appeared.
Note that an unreleased song from 1984 called 'The Truth About Me' (see below) contains the line,
'you are so fashion conscious'.
'Fashion Conscious' is also the title of a song by a British band called the Fresh Windows, released as
the b-side to 'Summer Sun Shines' by Fontana in 1967. Musically it was a 'Swinging London' period piece,
but attracted speculative interest due to the writer being listed as 'Barrett' - not Syd Barrett though, as
it turned out. A reference to it is made on the sleeve of 'Mummy Your Not Watching Me'.
Confusingly, 'Fashion Conscious' is also the name chosen by the Little Teddy record label for their compilation
album of the TVP material they'd released. Long-delayed, the LP was finally released at the end of 2001.
A GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT
THE DREAMS OF A FACTORY GIRL
DO YOU KNOW (WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT ME NOW?)
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHE SAID
The same February 1985 Dreamworld newsletter referred to above stated the band would be recording a new 7" single
in March, comprising 'A Good And Faithful Servant' with 'Factory Girl' on the b-side. It was claimed that a 12" single
would be issued 'a little while after', featuring the A-side and two new songs (as above). Although 'Servant'
had been played live since 1985, like several other numbers it was not released until the 'Privilege' album
emerged in 1990. A song with the same title as 'Do You Know...' was released on the 'Far Away And Lost In Joy'
EP in 1994. For details of 'It Was Something That She Said', see below. 'The Dreams Of A Factory Girl' remains
a mystery, although a rehearsal recording has circulated amongst collectors.
VEGETABLE MAN
The Dreamworld newsletter of February 1985 revealed that the band had been approached to contribute a track to a
compilation album of Syd Barrett covers. It states that although the group had played a great number of early Pink
Floyd songs live, the only song they'd actually recorded was the legendary Barrett-Floyd song 'Vegetable Man'.
Needless to say, like the original, this song remains unreleased.
JUGBAND BLUES
Mike Watkinson's Barrett biography, 'Crazy Diamond: Syd Barrett and the Dawn of Pink Floyd', revealed that TVP had
recorded a cover of this song for an unreleased project. 'Jugband Blues' was one of the last tracks that Barrett
recorded with the Floyd. It was released on their second album, 'A Saucerful of Secrets'. Television Personalities
version has yet to be heard.
PRIVILEGE
During the band's quiet period in the mid to late-80s, occasional press releases hinted at the
imminent arrival of new material. The song 'Privilege' itself was pencilled in for release as a
single on Dreamworld, b/w 'Miracles Take Longer' (DREAM 13). The 'Privilege' album was originally due
to be released on Dreamworld in 1989 and was allocated the catalogue number BIG DREAM 6. However, the
band subsequently signed a deal with Fire Records who released the album the following February.
Note that the album had been recorded in piecemeal fashion over the previous couple of years.
BACK TO VIETNAM (LIVE)
According to press reports, the initial 12" release of 'How I Learned To Love The Bomb' was due to
feature a fourth track, an eleven minute live version of the song that closed 'The Painted Word' album.
When the single was released, the track had been dropped.
MY IMAGINARY FRIEND
I REMEMBER BRIDGET RILEY
According to the sleeve notes of the Vinyl Japan "Dreamworld 1985-87" collection, this was an
unreleased single on the Dreamworld label from 1986, originally assigned the catalogue number Dream 15 (which
was subsequently used by Hangman's Beautiful Daughters "They Fell For Words Like Love"). The same
versions of the songs are apparently those on the "You, Me & Lou Reed" EP.
THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD EP
IF THAT'S WHAT LOVE IS
LOOK BACK IN ANGER (Alternate version)
SILLY GIRL (Alternate version)
Overground Records originally planned to release this EP in October 1990. 'Look Back In Anger' and
'Silly Girl' were reportedly alternate versions. Test pressings of the single were produced before
Dan apparently changed his mind and vetoed the release. When the EP finally emerged in November 1994
it had a different set of b-sides. However, those who have heard these supposed alternate takes are of
the opinion that the difference between them and the originals is negligible.
THE BOY WHO COULDN'T STOP DREAMING
Vinyl Japan originally planned to release an album of new TVP material in 1997. It was given the catalogue
number ASKCD65 while they waited for the delivery of the master tape. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons this
never happened. In March 2000, an album of the same name was issued instead, with the new catalogue number
ASKCD112. It merely compiled material already released by the label though. A single of the title track was
issued by Damaged Goods in May 1999.
UNRELEASED SONGS
The following list documents numerous unreleased Television Personalities songs, with lyrics in many cases.
Note that the source for most of the lyrics are live tapes of varying quality, so I have attempted to transcribe
what I hear. Missing words are represented by underlined spaces.
SEDITIONARIES
CHELSEA TO BATTERSEA
SOMETIMES I'M SORRY I'M A BOY
WHERE'S BILL GRUNDY NOW? (Version)
The product of an unreleased solo recording session before the Part Time Punks EP was recorded. This is
according to Dan Treacy himself, from an interview in the Television Personalities Fan Club 'zine #2 (Summer 1985).
ONCE UPON A TIME
Recorded in January 1980 for Rough Trade, during the sessions that produced the 'Smashing Time' single, as
revealed in Dan's interview, above. This song is essentially an early version of 'The Glittering Prizes'
with a different chorus.
GIRL ON A MOTORCYCLE
Often played during the first two years of Television Personalities live performances, then dropped before
enjoying a revival in 1984 - 85. No studio version has emerged; if one exists, it would be a highlight on
an outtakes collection. Two live versions have been released though - click here
for the lyrics to a 1980 performance and here for a mid-'80s one.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY
An early studio version, given a semi-official release on the fanzine cassette 'Oozing Through The Ozone Layer' in 1987.
The style of this recording would appear to place it around the time of 'Smashing Time'. A live version is more easily
available on the 'Paisley Shirts And Mini Skirts' album. Click here for lyrics.
AWAY FROM ALL THIS
An early TVP number which can be heard on the performance at the London Moonlight Club on 16/6/80, a tape of which was
available to buy through the fan club. Click here for lyrics.
AND THEN SUDDENLY
A charmingly bittersweet mod pop song about unrequited love. Another gem of an unreleased song. Can be heard
live at the Excess Club, Berlin, on 16/10/80. Click here for lyrics.
THE PLAN TO KIDNAP PAUL McCARTNEY
A rambling early TVP song, played live during 1980 - 83, sometimes as an instrumental. Although this is sketchy
lyrically, it wouldn't sound out of place on 'They Could Have Been Bigger Than The Beatles'. Note the similarities
between this and a line from The Times' 'I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape'. Click here
for lyrics.
IF NOW IS THE ANSWER
IT'S TIME TO COME OUT OF THE WARDROBE
THE GIRL THAT I ONCE KNEW
Strictly speaking these are Times songs, sung by Ed Ball, sandwiched in between TVP numbers at one of the joint
TVP / Times gigs at the Nottingham Union Rowing Club on 14/4/81. The first two songs were released on The Times'
debut album 'Pop Goes Art!' in 1982.
WHERE ARE ALL THE CHELSEA GIRLS?
An early TVP song, often played live during 1981 - 82. The version from Hamburg on 8/5/82 is a slow number,
with vocals in a similar style to 'A Day In Heaven' and 'If I Could Write Poetry'. This song may well have
been inspired by Andy Warhol's 1966 film, 'The Chelsea Girls'. Click here for lyrics.
THE SADDEST DAY I EVER LIVED
A slow and melancholic song, as heard at Berlin Free University on 7/5/82.
REASONS TO BE TRUE
A rambling number which is powered along by some urgent chord strumming. As heard at Berlin Free University
on 7/5/82. This tune sounds like a recycling of 'The Plan To Kidnap Paul McCartney' (see above).
Click here for lyrics.
I DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD
As heard at Hamburg 8/5/82. This sounds more like a loose jam than a structured song.
Lyrically, this seems to be a reworking of the coda to 'Reasons To Be True', performed at the previous night's gig.
A less than essential addition to the TVP catalogue.
THE WILD UNCERTAINTY
A song played by the TVP lineup of Dan Treacy, Mark Flunder and Empire in 1982 / 83. A fine tune, reminiscent of the Postcard
label and especially early Aztec Camera (musically, not lyrically).
LADY PENELOPE
Another song from the Treacy / Flunder / Sheppard era. A fun song rooted in the English pop psychedelia tradition, built around a
repeated descending chord progression. The repeat effect on Dan's vocal gives the song a trippy feel, typical of the genre.
Click here for lyrics.
HE'S FUNNY THAT WAY
Another top quality unreleased number, which could almost be an outtake from 'The Painted Word'. A suitably
wired rendition can be heard on the recording of the gig at London's Living Room on 4/6/83. The sound of this
performance is very similar to the version of 'A Day In Heaven' that was released on the Creation Records album
'Alive In The Living Room'. Wild, freeform guitarwork cascades over Dave Musker's strident organ, which is underpinned
by a solid bassline. Meanwhile, Dan's vocals display his disenchantment with God (I suspect). Wonderful stuff.
Click here for lyrics.
A KIND OF LOVING
Found on the recording of the 5-piece TVPs at the Living Room 13/8/83. The tune is very close to 'If I Could Write Poetry'.
SILLY THINGS LOVERS DO
A rather wonderful little song, with touching lyrics. This song was played during live
performances in 1984, but sadly didn't make it to a release, and slipped out of the live
set soon after. Dan chose to resurrect the song for the US tour of 1993, with slightly different words.
Sadly, the tune did not remain in the live repertoire. The song is one of the finest unreleased Television Personalities
tracks (in my opinion) and would have made a welcome addition to the Television Personalities catalogue both then and now.
Click here for the original lyrics and here
for a July 1993 radio session version.
The 1993 radio session version, recorded at WFMU in New Jersey, was released in 2005 on the Damaged Goods LP 'And They All Lived Happily Ever After'.
ALL THE THINGS I NEVER SAID TO YOU
Played at St Gallen on 13/8/84. This is a classic three-minute slice of mid-80s TVP, with some driving guitarwork and a
buoyant bassline similar to 'He's Funny That Way' (see above). Unfortunately, the lyrics lack the clarity to be
successfully transcribed, but appear to pursue a theme of regret and recrimination after the breakup of a relationship.
THE LIVES OF MILLIONAIRES
As played at Brighton 24/10/84 and at London Thames Polytechnic on 22/5/85. Curiously, it was resurrected a few years later
and aired at the Cavern in Edinburgh, April 1988. Musically this is reminiscent of 'Girl On A Motorcycle'.
Click here for lyrics.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHE SAID
The song which was due to be released in 1985 on the Dreamworld 12" of 'A Good And Faithful Servant'
(see above). The live version heard at the London Ambulance Station on 22 December 1984 is something of a
rambling affair, built around a recurring bass riff, with experimental and often discordant guitarwork.
Maybe the guitar was just out of tune that night. Click here for lyrics.
THE TRUTH ABOUT ME
A song which was played live in 1984, an example of which was aired at the London Ambulance Station that December.
This version is a dense, heavy number that wouldn't sound out of place on 'The Painted Word'.
Note that this song contains the phrase 'Fashion Conscious' (see above).
ANOTHER RAINY DAY IN MANCHESTER (AKA MORRISSEY)
An amusing song directed at Morrissey, which entered the live set towards the end of 1985.
The witty lyrics borrow from several Smiths songs (later performances included references to solo Morrissey material),
and deserves a wider audience! Dan brought the song out of hibernation during the European tour in the summer of 1996,
when part of the set featured several numbers performed by himself unaccompanied. Click here for
the lyrics to a classic 1986 rendition. To read lyrics from the 1996 revival click here.
Download this track! Visit the downloads page.
A live version from Germany in 1996 (Cologne, 14th May to be exact) was released in 2005 on the Damaged Goods LP 'And They All Lived Happily Ever After'.
SUNSHINE TOMORROW
A demo dating from around 1985, given a semi-official release on the fanzine cassette 'Oozing Through The Ozone Layer' in 1987.
A jaunty pop song featuring harmonica. Click here for lyrics.
This track was given an official release in 2005 on the Damaged Goods LP 'And They All Lived Happily Ever After'.
JUST CALL ME JACK
A cousin to the Velvet Underground's 'Waiting For The Man'. Although this was often played live during 1984 and
1985, a studio version has yet to appear - a live version can be heard on the Overground live album 'Camping In France'.
The Dreamworld recording artists Hangman's Beautiful Daughters, who featured Dan's friend Emily, released their own Sixties
garage style version, which is entitled 'Don't Ask My Name'.
Click here for lyrics.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DRUGS
Another heavy, swirling slice of psychedelia, and rather splendid too. This was introduced to the live set during 1987 and then
played very occasionally over the following two years. Earlier versions were faster and had different lyrics to the 1989 version
documented here. The track is similar in feel to 'Time Goes Slowly When You're Drowning'. Click here
for lyrics. Note that this is not a cover of the Robyn Hitchcock song of the same title.
BORN AGAIN
In the live set during 1987. Essentially this a prototype version of 'My Hedonistic Tendencies',
only with completely different lyrics. Click here to read them.
WAS IT SOMETHING THAT I SAID?
This made a brief appearance in the live set in 1987, before disappearing. Musically, the song has a hard edge, reminiscent of
the contemporary 'How I Learned To Love The Bomb'. Lyrically though, the song seems under-developed, which possibly explains why
it wasn't taken any further. Not to be confused with, 'It Was Something That She Said' (see above). Click
here for lyrics.
BEAUTIFUL DESPAIR
Another high quality original number, played live in 1987 and '88. It's a puzzle why this song didn't make it to a release.
The rendition from Glasgow in April 1988 is more fully realised than versions played the previous year (both musically and lyrically).
This version has lead guitar reminiscent of the Byrds influence on 'King and Country'. Click here for lyrics.
YOU'RE MY DRUG
Played live in 1987 and 88. An example can be heard at the London Bloomsbury gig on 1/10/88, in which Ed Ball guests on keyboards.
This version is a rambling and noisy one, tacked onto the end of a Creation medley. It sounds half-improvised. The quality of the recording
sadly renders the vocals mostly unintelligible, but an extract is as follows:
'Just when I thought I'd lost it all / Just when I thought I was dead / Suddenly you walked into my life / You're my drug / You're my love drug.'
DRIVING ME CRAZY
An up tempo number which was aired on the European tour of Spring 1987, but then seems to have been discarded. Again, this is a pity, as
the song is a great slice of catchy pop. Click here for lyrics.
GIRL AT THE BUS STOP
A whimsical, Barrettesque track which was demoed in 1987. The song was later recorded by the Scottish group BMX Bandits. See the more links page for
an unofficial Bandits site, or click here.
The demo of this track was released in 2005 on the Damaged Goods LP 'And They All Lived Happily Ever After'.
SAD LITTLE BOY
On 23/11/88, Dan played a solo acoustic gig in London, assisted by Ed Ball on keyboards. This performance included a number of new
songs which were not taken further, plus an early version of 'Do You Know What They're Saying About Me Now', with different lyrics.
'Sad Little Boy' is a touching number, with a melancholic air that is heightened by the acoustic backing.
The lyrical theme is very close to the later song 'The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Dreaming'.
Click here for lyrics.
BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS
From the same acoustic gig as above, another slow and melancholic number. Click here for lyrics.
SHADOWS THAT HAUNT ME
Another song from the acoustic gig. Before the song Dan jokingly asks 'Has anybody got a clean syringe?'. Lyrically, this
explores some familiar themes, as if Dan was taking the opportunity to work out words for future use.
Click here for lyrics.
SOMEBODY LOVES YOU
The final unreleased song from the Market Tavern acoustic gig, and another high quality track.
Click here for lyrics.
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
Although strictly speaking a cover, this song is worth mentioning because of the sheer
exuberance of the performance. Played live during the late Eighties (for example at the
London Camden Falcon, 20/3/89), this thrashy romp through the hymn penned in 1865 is
reminiscent of - and possibly inspired by - The Who's rampage through 'Land Of Hope And Glory'.
Note that a pop version of this hymn appeared in the 1967 film Privilege.
THE WORST TRIP I'VE EVER HAD
An excellent dark, psychedelic song, reminiscent of 'The Painted Word' era. Played live at Leeds University 19/12/89.
Click here for lyrics.
SHE HAS TO MAKE A DRAMA OUT OF EVERYTHING
A lively, up tempo song which made regular appearances in the live set during 1988 and occasional
airings thereafter until the middle of 1990. It's a shame that a song of this quality this wasn't
persevered with. Click here for lyrics.
Download this track! Visit the downloads page.
THE HONEYMOON'S OVER
This is a rambling and quite bitter number, as heard at London Drummonds 18/10/88. The song shares many similarities with the
unreleased 'She Has To Make A Drama Out of Everything' (above). The lyrics incorporate many lines and phrases that Dan also
used on other unreleased songs. Click here for lyrics.
IF THIS ISN'T LOVE
A slow number, featuring some 'bouncy' keyboard contributions from Ed Ball, heard at Canterbury University on 5/11/88.
Both lyrically and musically it is quite sketchy. Click here for lyrics.
DROWNING IN YOUR LOVE
A mystery song, aired at the Bedford Splatch Club on 20/12/88, again with Ed Ball in the lineup (this time on bass).
It's a thrashy number that features some memorable chord riffing. I'm not sure if it's an original or a cover.
Sadly, the quality of the recording render the lyrics unintelligible apart from a section at the end which contains
the title - which may or may not be correct!
I WISH THAT I COULD READ YOUR MIND
A rather sketchy song that was often in the live set in 1989 and 1990. Comparing early and later versions of the track
reveals how Dan's lyrics would evolve over a period of months. Despite the obvious development of this song, it was not
taken further. Click here for two sets of lyrics.
KING FOR A DAY
Played on the tour of Germany in the Spring of 1990, but it didn't stay in the set beyond the end
of the year. Musically this reminds me of 'The Man Who Paints The Rainbows'. Click here
for lyrics. It's possible that this could be an obscure cover; but note that this is not a cover of the XTC song of the same name.
I GET FRIGHTENED TOO
Although an instrumental version was released on the 'Far Away And Lost In Joy' EP in 1994 (minus
the 'too' in the title), a full vocal version was played live from late 1989 until 1992.
Click here for two sets of lyrics.
I LOVE THAT IN A GIRL
A sweet song played in Cologne on 5/12/91. Musically and lyrically, the song is very similar to 'Brand New Friend' which was played 6 months
later on the debut US tour. Incidentally, 'I Love That In A Girl' is my title, not the official name of the song.
Click here for the lyrics.
GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD
Played at Backnang on 14/12/91. It could possibly be a cover, but the lyrics on the recording lack the
necessary clarity to be transcribed. However, the music sounds like a typical loose TVP jam.
VIRGIN AND A WHORE
The song featured a couple of times on the tour of the US in April 1992. At the gig at Maxwell's, Hoboken,
on 11/4/92, Dan introduces it with the words, 'This is an old Lou Reed song that I wrote.'
Click here for the lyrics.
A version recorded for a live radio session at WMBR in Cambridge, MA, on April 2nd 1992 was released on the 'Falling Uphill' LP in 2004.
BRAND NEW FRIEND
A sweet, slow song played at the gig at Maxwell's, Hoboken, New Jersey USA on 11/4/92.
The highly personal content of the lyrics are typical of many late TVP songs, sharing
similarities with the likes of 'This Heart's Not Made Of Stone' and 'Do You Know What They're Saying About Me Now?'.
The hesitant backing from Jowe and Jeff on this performance would suggest that this was
another of those under-rehearsed numbers! It was also the last song in the set. Could it be
that Dan decided to give it a run-through, there and then? It wouldn't be the first time.
Dan Treacy's hand-written list of songs for the Maxwell's gig includes a song called '4 AM Kisses
In The Park'. It's not unreasonable to assume that this is the correct title of this song. Compare
this track also to 'I Love That In A Girl', above.
Click here for lyrics.
I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER LOVE ANYONE AGAIN
Until Dan Treacy's reemergence in 2004, this song was the last Treacy original to be aired live. An excellent up tempo
number, it was played on the tour of Germany in May 1996. Dan actually announced it at Detmold on 10/5/96 as, 'This is going
to be our next single'. Click here for lyrics.
A live version recorded in Bochum in May 1996 was included on the Damaged Goods LP 'And They All Lived Happily Ever After' in 2005.
Grateful thanks to Darrell Whitbeck for his assistance.
Last updated: 02 December 2013.
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