celebrating GIRLSCHOOL - Running Wild

Girlschool

Running Wild

February 1st, 1985

Mercury Records

1. Let Me Go 03:48

2. Running Wild 04:40

3. Do You Love Me? (Kiss cover) 03:19

4. Something for Nothing 03:18

5. Are You Ready? 03:37

6. Nowhere to Run 03:43

7. I Want You Back 04:33

8. Nasty Nasty 02:46

9. Love Is a Lie 03:09

10. Can't You See 04:55

total time 37:48

Jackie Bodimead - vocals (lead)

Kim McAuliffe - guitars, Vocals (backing)

Cris Bonacci - guitars

Gil Weston - bass

Denise Dufort - drums

According to Metal Archives, this album was released on February 1, 1985. This was their fifth album and the first recorded after the departure of original guitarist and singer Kelly Johnson, as the band expanded to a five-piece lineup. Critics apparently don't like this album because the band sounds too American; apparently, some people still wanted them to sound like they did from 1978 to 1981. Girlschool is a pioneering British heavy metal band and was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. They are often named in conjunction with Motörhead because the two bands toured together and were friends, and were known for a high-energy combination of punk and metal. Personally, I think the punk thing is a bit exaggerated: they were not a punk band at all, but whatever. Some people say that this album is among their worst because it is simply too American, but I don't care. It is anthem, arena-rock heavy metal music. It sounds awesome! I have no idea why some people don't like it. Of course, I'm an American, and I have no problem with a British band sounding too "American," whatever that means. So, were Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath not "American-sounding" with their love of African-American blues and 1950s American rock and roll? Whatever. Come see me and let's argue about it, ha!

Look, Girlschool has big choruses and catchy songs on this album. Is the band trying to get on TV and the radio? Yes, they are! Oh no, what a crime! They are trying to make a living as musicians and came up with catchy, hard-rock heavy metal songs. I like the early Girlschool albums, and I think this album sounds good, too. The melodies are much bigger, and the singing sounds really nice. Frankly, I am surprised how good the album sounds decades later. Apparently, even though they are a British band, the album was originally released only in the United States via Mercury Records. It was a difficult-to-find import for fans in the UK and Europe for decades. It didn't receive an official CD reissue until 2014, and just last year (2025), a special Live CD/DVD set from that era (Live in London 1984) was released to celebrate this period of the band.

Anyway, Girlschool is an awesome band, and this is one of their albums. I like it!

Girlschool - Are You Ready (Running Wild 1985)

Girlschool - Running Wild (Running Wild 1985)