When the Rats reformed in 2013, Bob spoke passionately about how so many of the songs he had written back in the 1970's and 80s were still relevant today, with specific mention of Looking After No1, Someone's Looking At You, Monday's, Rat Trap and Banana Republic. A song left off that list, yet covered extensively in Bob's book Tales Of Boomtown Glory, is The Elephants Graveyard.
Released in February 1981, the second single from Mondo Bongo, it reached only number 26 in the UK charts their lowest peak since first entering the charts in 1977. Yet on revisiting the song after reading Bob's explanation of the song, you realise this is classic Geldof in his social commentary of life at that time.
It is 'Black Lives Matter' 32 years before it was given a name in 2013. Bob writes in the book, 'How or why the African American population puts up with the manifest and glaring injustice visited upon its population is simply beyond me'. Specifically commenting on life in Miami, with the white retirees living behind their gated communities, the black communities deal with injustice on a daily basis; 'Guilty until proven guilty' sings Bob.
Tales of Boomtown Glory is nor longer available through the Rats website, but can be purchased via Amazon.uk.
Do you have views of the song.....is it a forgotten gem, did you know what is was about at the time, do you agree this is one that should be included within the list above? We would be interested to hear your views and thoughts.
I think I have heard this song played live once, by Bob’s solo band. It must have been in Germany in 2004. I remember because after the gig, a journalist asked me if I knew the name of that song they played, “Guilty, till proven guilty..” Anyone else on here that has heard the solo band play it live?
Great spot!
I didn't really understand the lyrics at such a deep level at the time but loved the song. I emember being disappointed when it stopped climbing up the charts.
I can actually see the back of my head bopping up and down at the beginning of this video...3 quarters to the right. Lol. 🐀
It's all a matter of personal taste and I don't think even Boomtown can rate songs in preference order and agree collectively, as we are all different......I will say though, that we are all in Boomtown for love of the "Rats" and their music which over the decades has been utterly amazing.....we will never understand as Fans why some singles flew and others crashed, when really some of us like one single/album better than the other...it doesn't matter in the scheme of "Rat" things really.........Bob and Co have been in our midst, musically for over 40 yrs.....in the Music Industry this is no mean feat.....so well done!!!....and I happen to believe that Bob is a very special Human being on the Planet and a very great Musician, Actor...... and a beautiful person too 💗
How can you not like this song with lyrics like this?
Justice isn't blind It just looks the other way Not from want of trying I have nothing left to say
I loved the gig starting with such a strong song in Mood Mambo that went with the Album and singles including Elephant’s Graveyard
One of my fav tunes, the lyrics could be used for so many different situations… I read that book last year but am now in the middle of reading it again ! Such an insight into just what an intellectual this man is .. to experience how these songs were formed is a joy to learn
This is one of my favourite Rats songs! One of the first singles I bought
My memory is the single brought confirmation via chart performance of what many fans suspected based on Mondo Bongo reaction, that Rats' time as flavour of the month was effectively over and no matter how strong a single came out their moment with the masses had passed. I think the lack of clear identity and direction in output was proving a double edged sword. Not punks, not electronic, not moving towards the new romantic vibe etc etc for me found the band in a no mans land with appeal rapidly reducing down to those who were by and large happy to accept the experimentation and regular change of style, and persevere with their interest. We few, we happy few....
It's a decent single no doubt, with great lyrics and message, and as with many that followed we'll never know if they would have fared better released in 78 or 79. Think we just have to accept that chart position and apparent popularity isn't the be all and end all when rating a song. As a standalone wouldn't say it reaches gem level for me and as a new single by a new band I doubt I would have purchased in all honesty. For some reason the shimmy shame outro always grated as well. I love the flip side though, second only to Europe Looked Ugly as a Rats b-side in my opinion.
I just checked a poll I registered in over 10 years ago and I rated EG 14th (!) out of the 17 singles released at that time. À chacun son goût as always......