1001 Songs Challenge #626: I Will Dare (1984)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be… legendary!

 

The Replacements – I Will Dare (1984)

We’re over in the US today and find ourselves in Minneapolis, Minnesota for our latest guests. Formed in 1979 The Replacements specialised in punk and alternative rock. We join them a few years later though in 1984 with the release of their third album, Let It Be, which would mark the peak of their career. With such an acclaimed album to work with, 1001 Songs have gone with the track – I Will Dare.

I Will Dare appears to hark back to the simpler times of being young and taking risks. The narrator appears to be addressing a girl and is clearly trying to woo her. There is mention of her being young and the narrator being old so perhaps he is actually a more mature man trying to relive his youth and has found a younger woman he has fallen for. He seems to be suggesting that there are many obstacles to them being together but if she is willing to take a risk then he certainly is. 

The Let It Be album marked a change of direction for The Replacements from loud punk rock to songs that focused more on a much deeper meaning. I Will Dare hints at different ideas, both the coming of age when it comes to finding love but perhaps the regrets to be found in one’s maturity and looking back on what might have been with others. Following the success of Let It Be the group’s fortunes slowly changed and by 1991 they had disbanded. Reunions have occurred since but they have been brief.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Doors – The End (1967)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (1978)

The Police – Message in a Bottle (1979)

Ultravox – Vienna (1980)

Don Henley – The Boys of Summer (1984)