Billy Idol and Avril Lavigne Combine Classic and Pop-Punk for Rousing Anthem

‘77’ brings together two pioneers from markedly different iterations of punk. 

Former Generation X member Billy Idol teamed up with Canadian pop-punk icon Avril Lavigne for a track that combines the rebellious spirit of punk’s first wave with the catchy hooks associated with the genre’s later flag bearers. 

The tasteful lead guitar is interspersed with a thundering bass to give the track a melodic edge during the verses, whilst the chorus is pure pop-punk in feel.  But lyrics such as "fight back like 77" appear to come straight from the mouth of the man whose most famous work has rebelled in the title.

When Idol enters proceedings on the second verse, his vocals, despite possessing less rawness than in his heyday, appear to have aged gracefully. The iconic vocalist transports you to the year of the song’s title: he vividly describes the animosity between punks, the police, and the period’s other subcultures, whilst the battles between the groups serve as fuel for the importance of standing up and being counted.

Music of this kind may be unfamiliar to those who only know the early work of either artist, but fans of Lavigne’s debut album ‘Let Go’ will certainly appreciate the return to punkier territory.

And whilst it somewhat detracts from what Idol is best known for, this foray into the poppier side of punk is certainly not a bad one.

James Cook

Image: Skyler Barberio 

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