File under “songs you didn’t understand when you were a kid”. Smalltown boy is Bronski Beat’s fabulous and heartbreaking debut single from 1984’s politically charged Age of Consent.

“Is he just being bullied because of… what?” was the question that lil’ old me had while watching the video of the peppy new wave song. I should’ve detected the hidden sadness in Jimmy Sommerville’s vocals, or the heartbreak of the poignant lyrics. Instead, I was mesmerised by Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek’s tremendous arrangement.

Bronski Beat were a short lived project but still their cultural and social impact should never be forgotten: openly gay musicians offering both exposure, criticism of homophobia, and support line information (included as an etch in the 12″ groove). Their experiences growing up were less than stellar, criminalised by simply existing. Here’s hoping that future generations no longer have to live under the same kind of intolerance…

-Sam J. Valdés López