Digging Your Scene

Dr. Robert performing with The Blow Monkeys live in 2014.

A pop, soul, and jazz song with influence from European and British music,[2][3] The Blow Monkeys subtly discuss the hatred and criticism of individuals who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Tommy Marx from PopMatters claimed that the intrigue and hatred behind the single prompted its success in becoming "a major hit".[3] Dr. Robert, the singer of "Digging Your Scene", additionally sings about life as a homosexual, where he worries, "Tell me why is it I'm digging your scene? / I know I'll die, baby". In contrast with the protagonist he portrays in the song, Dr. Robert was married to a woman - his first wife, Linda Nolte[4] - at the time (though they were on the verge of divorcing),[5] and he soon went on to marry his current wife (as of 2021), Michele, and have several children.[6] At the time, this situation prompted Barry Walters from Spin to write, "Dr. Robert loves camp, so it's difficult to determine if he's bi or just British."[7] Writer Colin Larkin thought similarly, stating in his book The Encyclopedia of Popular Music that "Digging Your Scene" was "one of the earliest songs about AIDS".[8] Music researcher Michael Anderson agreed, declaring the "backlash" would "court controversy".[9]

Walters also compared the lyrical themes on The Blow Monkeys' third studio album, She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter (1987), to "Digging Your Scene".

Gary Berkowitz, a programmer from Billboard, predicted that the song's sound would appeal to the Top 40 crowd,[10] and similarly, author Martin Charles Strong described it as a destined hit.[11] AllMusic's William Cooper took a liking to "Digging Your Scene" for being engaging,[12] while Keith Tuber, a columnist for Orange Coast, felt it stood out on Animal Magic before calling it a "good [...] quirky '60s-English-invasion-sounding song".[13] Regarding its legacy, Walters from Spin claimed that the single "transformed Dr. Robert from a klutzy cult novelty to a mainstream face in his homeland".[7]

"Digging Your Scene" is one of The Blow Monkeys' most commercially successful singles. In the United Kingdom, the recording peaked at number 12, becoming the group's second-highest-peaking single, behind "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way", which peaked at number five in January 1987.[14] On the United States' Billboard Hot 100, it entered at number 89 for the week ending 3 May 1986, becoming the issue's fifth-highest entry.[15] The song continued increasing its position on the chart before reaching its peak position of number 14 on 2 August of the same year.[16] The following week, the single decreased its position to number 21.[17] "Digging Your Scene" consistently escalated down the Hot 100 until 6 September 1986 when its position was at number 99, the final mark before departing.[18] It also peaked at number 16 on the Hot 100 Airplay, a component chart for the Billboard Hot 100.[19] The United States remix reached the number seven mark on the Dance Club Songs chart, which was formerly called the Hot Dance/Disco chart.[20] On its 13th week on Canada's official charts, compiled by RPM, "Digging Your Scene" peaked at number 19, also the group's highest entry in that respective country.[21] In Australia and New Zealand, it peaked at numbers 16 and 10, respectively,[22][23] while in Germany and the Netherlands, it peaked at numbers 25 and 23, respectively.[24][25]

The official music video for "Digging Your Scene" was released in 1986. It features the band members performing the single at a show in front of a large group of individuals. Other scenes show Dr. Robert sitting with the audience at tables and backup dancers wearing striped attire. The video was featured and debuted at the first International Music & Media Conference that took place in Montreux, Switzerland between 7–10 May 1986.[26] It also received heavy rotation on MTV's lineup of music videos in mid 1986.[27]

"Digging Your Scene" was included on the British compilation album Hits 4, released on 17 March 1986 as a collection of singles in the United Kingdom.[28] The Blow Monkeys also included it in several of their greatest hits albums, including Choices – The Singles Collection (1989),[29] Best Selection (1994),[30] The Best of Blow Monkeys (1994),[31] For the Record (1996),[32] Blow Monkeys the Masters (1997),[33] Complete Singles (2000),[34] and their final collection Digging Your Scene: The Best of The Blow Monkeys (2008).[35] The band also created a lullaby children's version of "Digging Your Scene" for Atomic Lullabies: Very Best of The Blow Monkeys (1999).[36] Japanese group Paris Match covered it for their 2007 album, Our Favourite Pop, in dedication to Our Favourite Shop, a 1985 album by The Style Council.[37] "Digging Your Scene" was mentioned in Marc Spitz's novel How Soon Is Never?, where the protagonist Joe Green recalls listening to it on the radio with his girlfriend, Jennifer.[38]

Works cited