Just Like Vince Taylor

Album: Radar Love (1973)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this mid-tempo rock number, the title suggests it might be a tribute song, but it is really a song about what happened - or what didn't happen - on a night out with a girl who made the narrator feel just like Vince Taylor, or dress like him at any rate, if the reference to greased hair, leather and chains is anything to go by.

    Brian Holden (1939-91) - who took the stage name Vince Taylor - was one of the countless nearly men of rock 'n' roll; he was born in Isleworth, West London, immigrated to the United States as a young boy where his father worked in the mining industry, and ended up in Hollywood through a family connection where he embarked on his ill-fated music career. He enjoyed some success in both his native England and France, but like many bigger names he turned to both alcohol and drugs, and by and large faded from sight. He died from cancer in August 1991.

    When this song was written, Taylor was still very much alive, although his 15 minutes of fame was long over. A live version with jangling guitars and sounding anything but live was recorded as the B-side of a 1977 live version of the band's biggest hit by far, "Radar Love". (Thanks, Alexander Baron - London, England.) >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England.

Comments: 2

  • Vince Taylor from West Central OhioIt’s an awesome song! The live album is on my top 10 list.
  • Tony Z from San DiegoGreat song, how come no one has commented on this?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top Proverb

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top ProverbSong Writing

How a country weeper and a blues number made "rolling stone" the most popular phrase in rock.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.