Be young at heart once again with the brand new 40th anniversary re-release of Sisters from The Bluebells.
Release Date: 4th July 2025
Label: London Records
Format: CD / Vinyl
Number One
Back in 1984, if you’re old and wise enough to remember, The Bluebells came careering into the UK top 40 chart with Young at Heart, a song which, musically, sat somewhere between the Celtic fiddling of Dexys Midnight Runners and The St Winifreds School Choir featuring Clive Dunn. Although the song was fairly successful on its first release, it didn’t reach the top spot until 1993 after featuring in a TV advert. Originally a Bananarama album track, the song defined the sound of The Bluebells and, 40 years later, they’re back with a super special edition re-release of the 1984 album Sisters and an appearance at Glastonbury.
This re-release features a 3CD+DVD box set including B-sides, non-album tracks, live and extended versions, previously unreleased BBC sessions, music videos and TV appearances including Old Grey Whistle Test and Top Of The Pops. A double LP vinyl edition presents the album on one LP and highlights from the CD bonus tracks on the other. If you buy from the band’s official shop, you even get an exclusive 5-track CD single of Cath.
Lachrymose Staples
According to the sleeve notes written by author and music journalist Will Hodgkinson, The Bluebells “were the very essence of indie – they helped define its jangling, guitar-led sound – while maintaining an accessibility that went to the heart of their working-class roots.” Comprising Robert Hodgens (aka Bobby Bluebell) and brothers David and Ken McCluskey, the band’s approach was “rooted in classic song craft, exuding cheerfulness even when dealing with loneliness, heartbreak, and other lachrymose staples.”
To save you reaching for the dictionary, lachrymose means songs that make you want to cry. An odd choice of words considering the upbeat, bouncy pop overtones of songs such as Cath with their heart searching tales of unrequited love embedded in lyrics that include, “Cath, you led me up the garden path“. A sentiment that we can all identify with, surely, and a song so good that there are six versions of it on the CD set.
Gone Tomorrow, Still Here Today
Sisters isn’t the only studio album by The Bluebells; a follow up came in 2023, entitled In the 21st Century and featuring the single Gone Tomorrow. Luckily, The Bluebells are not gone, they’re back and they’re still very much Young at Heart.
Sisters is released again on 27th June 2025 via London Records. The Bluebells will play on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury Festival on the 28th as part of a UK tour that runs from May to October.
Here’s the video for Young at Heart to remind you of those simpler, happier times back in 1984.
Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X (formerly Twitter) / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube