87. Squeeze

It rarely fails. As new genres emerge there seems to a need to anoint a pair of songwriters as the new Lennon and McCartney. New Wave did so with the pair of Chris Difford and Glenn Tillbrook; better known as the creative unit behind Squeeze.

Though they never had the success or impact of The Beatles (who could?), Squeeze carved their niche as one of the most Pop accessible New Wave acts. Much of their music provides a link to the British guitar driven sounds that would come later as well as the Post Punk movement that they came from. Lyrically, they were far cleverer than they got credit for, and in looking back it is a little puzzling that they did not make a bigger impact in the United States. They probably won’t make the Hall, but they might get a look or two from the committee.

FilmStrip Rock.Squeeze

www.squeezeofficial.com

Should Squeeze be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 83.9%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 12.4%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0.6%

No opinion. - 0.6%

No way! - 2.5%

The Bullet Points

Previous Rank: 2011: #118
2012: #113
2013: #106
2014: #100
2015: #97
2016: #105
Eligible Since: Thursday, 01 January 2004
Country of Origin: United Kingdom (London, England)
Why they will get in: They were one of the more respected of the New Wave genre.
Why they won't get in: Their success on the American side of the Atlantic was not strong.
Nominated in: Never
Essential Albums: Squeeze (1978)
Cool for Cats (1979)
Argybargy (1980)
East Side Story (1981)
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee: Take Me I’m Yours (From Squeeze, 1978)
Up the Junction (From Cool for Cats, 1979)
Cool for Cats (From Cool for Cats, 1979)
Pulling Mussels from the Shell (From Argybargy, 1980)
Another Nail in My Heart (From Argybargy, 1980)