Never Say Never (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Never Say Never


Artist = Romeo Void
from Album = Benefactor
B-side =
Released = 1982
Format = 12"
Recorded = 1981
Genre = Rock
Length = 5:53 / 6:05 / 3:27
Label = Columbia
Writer = Debora Iyall
[ Certification = ]

"Never Say Never" is a 1982 song by the New Wave band Romeo Void. "Never Say Never" was a favorite on early MTV. The song is driven by a throbbing, funky bassline and punctuated by jagged guitar. It has been written, however, that "it's Debora Iyall's teasing, existential musings – which predated and predicted the aloof yet frank sexuality of early- and mid-90s artists such as Elastica and Liz Phair – that elevate 'Never Say Never' from a mere post-punk relic into a subversive, influential classic." The song's repeated refrain of "I might like you better if we slept together" has been called "one of rock's all-time greatest lines," [http://wm02.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:0bfqxxw5ldhe] because it works as a come-on and a put-down, simultaneously. But beyond mere titillation, a "careful listen to the verses, with their intimations of incest, murder, homelessness, and other dark subjects, makes plain that singer/lyricist Debora Iyall has more on her mind than grudging salaciousness." [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:p9c8b5b4tsq4~T1]

Legacy

The song was featured in the 1984 film, "Reckless", starring Aidan Quinn as a football star and renegade. Quinn's character takes over the school dance's DJ booth to play the single, much to the dismay of all his classmates. A dance sequence ensues with Quinn's character moshing about while a somewhat distraught Daryl Hannah tries to figure out how to dance with him. The song is also featured in the 2002 videogame ' as part of the New Wave radio station Wave 103. Queens of the Stone Age recorded a version that was featured on the soundtrack album of the John Travolta and Thomas Jane film "The Punisher" (2004). Also, a small segment of the song was featured in a scene of the film '. In February 2006 Australian electro house group Vandalism also released a cover version of the song, the band Slunt also recorded a version of the song. Additionaly Las Vegas speedpunk band "The deadly seven" released a cover in 2008.