The Fall: How I Wrote 'Elastic Man'

Track of the Week - 31 July 2016

In January 2015 I wrote a list of things to do. Top of that list was 'Go on Celebrity Mastermind'. Eighteen months on I'm no nearer that or choosing my specialist subject.*

One of my possible subjects was used on the main Mastermind show this week, Mark E Smith and The Fall. If you've been reading this tripe over the last 18 months you'd have seen that The Fall appear as a track of the week selection more than most.

I reckon I'd have gone 10 correct which isn't too bad (man on the telly got 12) but like man on the telly I got one wrong that disappointed me. The question was 'what was the title of the band's first single released by Rough Trade in 1980?' Me and man on the telly both plumped for 'Totally Wired**' but that was wrong, that was the second.

We should have gone for 'How I Wrote 'Elastic Man''. So to remind me of my error and Fall singles chronology here is that everyday tale of a man who writes something popular and then is bothered by press and public about it (probably calling it by the wrong name (Plastic Man) into the bargain) thus destroying his creative ability.



*It's not all a washout. I am studying sports psychology and have been on a mental health first aid course which must count as doing some good.

** One of my all-time favourites of all-time. I need to find a reason to use it. Maybe I'll need to do some wiring.