While rummaging through the vinyl, it was a real treat to unearth the original seven-inch version of ‘Uncertain Smile’ from 1982 (I will get round to stuff that wasn’t released in 1982, honest). I’d forgotten that it is very different to the album version I’ve grown used to over the years.

I was always impressed that the seven-minute album version featured that guy who presented The Tube on piano. He was pretty good. My love for rumbling boogie woogie piano remains to this day thanks to Jools Holland’s appearance on this track. It was also him featuring on this track that made me realise he was the piano player in Squueze. I know, I know.

I don’t know why I’m telling you all this, about how great the piano is on the album version, while serving up the seven inch version that has no Jools Holland on it at all. Still, it’s my site, which means I can talk about whatever I like. Funny old business.

Download lowdown…
- There’s plenty of The The available on download, which is odd because they were on the same label as Altered Images. amazon.com’s download store is good if you’re in the US, iTunes if you’re anywhere else. I’ve got my eye on the 12-inch remix version, which clocks in at nearly 10 minutes.
- If you can find the two-disc version of ’45 RPM, The Singles Of The The’, the second disc is crammed full of remixes and is an absolute treat.
- If you just fancy listening to stuff, sign yourself up to blip.fm. You can hear the album version on there.