I've always been attracted to lyrics first and foremost.
Hence my attraction to inspiring songwriters like Scott Walker, Morrissey, Jarvis Cocker, David Gedge, Ian Dury, Marc Almond.
I didn't put Foxx in that list. Hmm…
his earlier (and certainly Ultravox) lyrics wre his best. I think John's always composed the whole song 'music, theme, lyrics etc and one is not so easily deatchable from the other?
I think more generally though, what attracts me to the music I like is something I would call 'creative obstinance'.
A genuine belief in the artistic value of what they are doing for its own sake - flying a flag for the individual, sometimes obscure, to challenege convention and defy fashion.
Most of the things I like, and more as I get older, are attractive just BECAUSE they dare to be different.
Usually 'intelligent' music too, that demands something of the listener to experience the songs in their own way.
John's work is perfect for this.
