Come Said the Boy


"Come Said the Boy" is a song by Australian rock band Mondo Rock, released in November 1983 as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album The Modern Bop. The song became the band's highest-charting single, peaking at number 2 on the Kent Music Report. It was written by the group's lead guitarist, Eric McCusker, and was co-produced by John Sayers and the band.
The music video and vinyl single's cover artwork was filmed at Maroubra Beach in Sydney in 1983.
At the Australian [pop music awards|1983 Countdown Music Awards], the song was nominated for Best Australian Single.
In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Come Said The Boy" was ranked number 73.

Background

By 1983 the Mondo Rock line-up were James Black on keyboards and guitar; James Gillard on bass guitar; John James Hackett on drums; Eric McCusker on guitar and Ross Wilson on lead vocals. They started recording their fourth studio album, The Modern Bop, in August 1983 with co-production by John Sayer and the band.
In November 1983 the album's lead single, "Come Said the Boy", was released, which peaked at number 2 on the Kent Music Report singles chart in the following month. It was written by McCusker as a provocative tale about the loss of virginity—it was banned by some radio stations, including Sydney's then top-rated 2SM, which was affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. McCusker later recalled, "I can't remember if was a smutty pun. I think there was a little bit of that." He elaborated, " a linear song with a lot of ocean imagery... Back then, I was interested in seeing what you could get away with."

Track listings

;Aus 7" Single
  1. "Come Said the Boy" – 4:41
  2. "Gotta Get Out" – 3:27
;US 7" Single
  1. "Come Said the Boy" – 3:57
  2. "Cost of Living" – 4:06

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Australia 13

Damon Boyd version

Melbourne-based DJ Damon Boyd provided a cover version as "The First Time", in May 2004. "The First Time" samples the opening riff and vocal of the original. The single peaked at number 79 on the ARIA Charts.

Track listings

;Aus CD single
  1. "The First Time" – 3:16
  2. "The First Time" – 3:16
  3. "The First Time" – 6:27
  4. "The First Time" – 8:32
  5. "The First Time" – 8:13
  6. "The First Time" – 6:16

Charts

Chart Peak
position
Australia ARIA Charts79
Australian Dance ARIA Report8

Other cover versions

released his cover version of the track on his 19th studio album, I Remember When I Was Young. Tex Perkins' rendition appeared on his 5th studio album, No. 1's and No. 2's.