Telex: Marc Moulin, Dan Lacksman and Michel Moers, three Belgian funnyguys.

Some years ago I knew nothing about Telex. The only song I'd heard was their 1980 Eurovision Song Contest entry and I totally ignored them whenever I saw their name, just because I didn't know any better. When the album 'I Don't Like Music (Remixes, Vol. 1)' was released in 1998 I only listened to it because of the Carl Craig remix of 'Moskow Diskow'. I didn't like his remix that much, so I saw no point in buying the album or listening to Telex anymore.

Sometime later the song finally hit me, and I felt kinda stupid for not having checked them out sooner. But, you know, I guess I wasn't ready. Afterall, their tongue'n'cheek approach to music isn't for everyone. Their Eurovision performance was an official "disaster" (just like Plastic Bertrand's) and most people didn't seem to get them, including moi.

It's kinda obvious now that I love them, right?

The lovely thing about their Eurovision entry was that their song 'Euro-Vision' was about performing at the Eurovision Song Contest. Way too banal for most viewers who simply stared silently at the band after the performance, and didn't even know if to applaude or cry. One of the hosts even tried to give three of their points to the Netherlands, thinking she had misheard.

Perfect.

Telex - Euro-Vision
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Amazon.com

The following song is from the album 'Neurovision' (1980) which contained 'Euro-Vision' and their cover of 'Dance To The Music'. This is the French version; the English title is 'More Than Distance'. The song is about his heart, beating and always needing.

My heart, feel it beating
Longing, always needing
This night, this occasion
With no, reservation

It sounds lovely, I know, but as most of their songs are really sarcastic, witty, or a (sometimes hidden) social commentary, I'm not sure if they're being sweet and honest, or making fun. But who cares, the song is great.

Telex - Plus de Distance
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Amazon.com