Namesakes #171: Bardot

Not only does Brigitte Bardot feature in a lot of pop songs... she also gave her name (or soundalikes) to any number of groups. Here's a brief selection (not all of them, by any means).

Some of these may tax the patience of even the most mild-mannered Portuguese farmers... but I'm guessing there's not much to do on the land in January.

BARDOT #1

We start today with an English Bardot from 1978. They had a stab at some CSNY-esque harmonies and scraped into the Dutch Tipparade (the "bubbling under chart") with the song below. They also sang backing vocals for Graham Bonnet.

Bardot - Witchfire

BARDO #2

The 1982 UK Eurovision entry got to #2 in the charts... but didn't win the contest. After Bucks Fizz, we had high expectations.

Bardo (no T - the first of many) had an interesting dance routine that began with them on all fours like two dogs. Singer Sally Ann Triplett also represented the UK two years earlier as part of the band Prima Donna (they did even worse than Bardo). That does put her in a category with Ronnie Carroll, Cliff Richard and Cheryl Baker as the only artists to have represented the UK twice. 

Bardo - One Step Further

If that isn't today's clear winner, I will go to the foot of our stairs.

THE BARDOTS #3

Jangly indie band from Norwich in the early 90s - I bet Martin would have liked these guys.

The Bardots - Sad Anne

BARDOT #4

"Happy hardcore" from them Netherlands in 1993. Ah, and indeed, yeah.

Bardot - Viva La Revolution

BARDOT #5

Australia's best-selling girl band ever, this Bardot was active for a short time around Y2K, then split up due to (as Paul Heaton would say) musical similarities.

Bardot - Poison

BARDO #7

Old Skool Chicago hip hopsters, active over the past decade and a half.

Bardo - Tha Mood

Of course, I am waiting for some know-it-all to tell me that the spelling without the T on the end doesn't actually refer to Brigitte, but instead the Tibetan Buddhist concept for an intermediate, transitional state, literally meaning "between two," most famously describing the 49-day period between death and rebirth, but also encompassing gaps in everyday life like sleep, dreams, and any moment of significant change.

But I'm going to let that pass.

BARDO #8

From Rio in 2015, a folky duo who we have to dub "The Brazilian Bardo".

Bardo - Impatience Blues

BARDOT #9

From Seattle in 2016, another poppier Bardot...

Bardot - Holler

BARDO #10

Mexican "Sludge Metal" band from 2018...

Bardo - Todos Mueren

BARDO #11

Alternatively in 2018, would you prefer a little avantgarde jazz from Belgium?

Bardo - It Is What It Is

THE BARDOTS #12

Next up, an Americana act who remind me a lot of Marah (remember them?) from just a few years back...

The Bardots - Mountain Town

BARDO #13

From New York City in 2019, a band that counts "The Beatles, Beyonce, Blink 182, and The Harmonica Lewinskies among its major influences".

Bardo - Wishing Well

BäRDO #14

I like it when bands save me the job and write their own descriptions as this lot from Houston have done...

"Power trio Bärdo hustles up an all original repertoire of high energy music variously described as “Anger Pop” and “Zeppunk.” Complex, snaking arrangements, accomplished technique and eclectic song writing create fresh, engaging dynamics which engender a ’70’s Punk and Rock flavor, plus. Lyrically acerbic and often seedy, the band gorges itself on tongue-in-cheek social critique."

Bärdo - Cyberc@ptivity

BARDO #15

Melancholic indie from Brigitte's home country in 2023. Or, to use their own words...

"Originaire d'Evreux, Bardo est un groupe influencé par des groupes français comme Kid Pharaon, Marquis de Sade mais aussi par des groupes anglais et américains comme Lloyd Cole, New Order...

Nous faisons un rock adulte avec des compositions tantôt sombre, tantôt mélodique."

Bardo - Long Road

BARDO #16

And finally, from the Camp of Bands, an LA Bardo who likes to cover all the bases: alternative, r&b soul, hiphop, psych, synthpop... but sadly no "sludge metal". 

Bardo - Sad Boy

Which ones did God create... and which ones make you go "Please, Not Now!"?