THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

833-Captain Sensible-Glad It’s All Over.

1984-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 0.16. This isn’t happy talk, this is sensible talk.

Captain Sensible was born Raymond Ian Burns on April 23rd, 1954, in Balham, London, England. He adopted his stage name ‘Captain Sensible,’ ironically, because he used to be a ‘debauched maniac,’ who had fun,’regardless of the consequences,’ but he admits to calming down after becoming a vegetarian. He is known for his distinctive appearance, which includes a red beret, and sunglasses, usually with white frames.

Captain Sensible was a founding member of the English ‘Punk Rock’ group the ‘Damned’ in 1976, who are considered to be the first group to release a ‘Punk Rock’ single, ‘New Rose,’ in 1976 (see also best songs 273.) While still a member of the ‘Damned,’ in 1978, Captain Sensible released his first solo single, ‘Jet Boy, Jet Girl,’ in the Netherlands only, and his first solo studio Album, ‘Women and Captains First,’ in 1982. The discography of Captain Sensible includes eight solo studio Albums released between 1982-1996, and 28 singles between 1978-2014, there are also seven compilation Albums, and two extended plays available. In the UK, none of his studio Albums have reached the top 40 Album chart, but three of his singles have made the top 40, with his 1982 cover version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein show tune ‘Happy Talk’ reaching the Number 1 spot.

In 2006 Captain Sensible formed a new British political party known as the ‘Blah! Party,’ he said,’I always wanted to put a brick through the TV when I saw (Tony) Blair pop his head up. It’s quite easy to write lyrics when politicians are so corrupt. I had to start my own political party I was so angry. I called it the Blah Party. It was 50 per cent joke, 50 per cent serious, but was my way of dealing with it. He has also said,’We believe that voting is an important part of the democratic process, and we want the Blah! Party to be the party of protest, a channel through which the people of the U.K. can vent their dissatisfaction at nonsensical everyday things, and protest against the government and the current crop of political parties.’ The ‘Blah! Party’ was short lived, with it’s members deciding to become a protest group instead, in December 2008.

‘Glad It’s All Over’ was co-written by Captain Sensible, and Tony Mansfield, with the production being by Mansfield. The song was the third of three singles issued from ‘The Power of Love,’ which was the second solo studio Album from Captain Sensible, from November 1983. Tony Mansfield was born Anthony Charles Mansfield, on January 19th, 1955, in Wimbledon, London, England, he is probably best known for being the main songwriter, and producer for the English Synthpop group ‘New Musik,’ of which he was also a co-founder. ‘New Musik’ who were active between 1977-1982 released three studio Albums, and 10 singles, of which three of those singles made the UK top 40, with ‘Living by Numbers,’ charting the highest at Number 13, in 1980. After the split of ‘New Musik,’ Mansfield became a full time music producer for acts including ‘a-ha,’ ‘The B-52’S, and ‘After the Fire.’

‘Glad It’ All Over’ is Captain Sensible’s comment on the ‘Falklands War,’ which occurred in 1982, and is an anti-war song. Captain Sensible has said,’With the Falklands war, and the mass build up of nuclear missiles in my mind, I thought the planet could do with a bit more love and a bit less unpleasantness. So me, and my neighbour Bob (Jones) wrote a song called ‘The Power of Love,’ which also ended up as the Album title.’ Captain Sensible also lauded Tony Mansfield for the part he played, describing ‘Glad All Over,’ as,’A result of my highly tuned Pop sensibilities, and the aural sculpting genius of producer Tony Mansfield, who actually plays the drum parts live himself on a ‘Duckhams’ oil can (floor tom), a casserole dish lid (high hat) and a ‘Rowntrees’ choc tin (snare drum). After a bit of ‘tuning’ with a panel hammer, the kit sounded just right, and we rolled the tape, with the result transforming the song into something rather special.’

‘Submarines in the harbour, incognito, submarines of your dreams not mine. The red red sky must take the price, for giving to the people who never never go to war.’