We can start this discussion by all agreeing that Gary Glitter is a very bad man. Last that I heard, he was going to be executed by the Vietnamese government — but I get information wrong all the time and this time was no different, it turns out that he spent three years in jail and paid five million dollars to the families of his victims. Now that that's cleared up, we can move on to that other thing he most famous for: the stadium anthem, the heart pounding fist pumper, Rock and Roll parts 1 and 2.
Part 2 you know well, at least you know it well if you've ever been to a sports game or seen one on TV, or are a fan of D2: The Mighty Ducks. It's the kind of song that electrifies crowds but there's also something curious about the layering of the sounds, something that's prompted me to listen to this more and more on my recent subway rides without a thought of hockey goals in my head.
Despite his personal defects (and if you feel bad enjoying his music, it might make you feel better to know to profits go towards his victims), this is a really interesting and awesome and weird piece of music. And don't ignore Part 1! Everyone forgets that there really is a Part 1; it gets very little radio play, but I must have listened to it often as a kid because I remember singing/screaming, “Doctor Whoooo, hey Dr Who?quot; to the tune, possibly to torment my sister, who hated watching the sci fi show so much, she'd take a break outside when I watched it.
But what do you think?