Strawberry Switchblade, the Scottish pop duo of Rose McDowall and Jill Bryson, emerged from Glasgow’s post-punk scene in the early 1980s with a distinctive mix of whimsical style and melancholic synth-pop. Known for their striking visual image of polka dots, ribbons, and gothic-inspired fashion, the pair quickly stood out both musically and aesthetically. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1985, featured their biggest hit “Since Yesterday,” a hauntingly melodic single that reached the UK Top 5 and became a defining track of the era.
Though their time in the spotlight was brief, Strawberry Switchblade’s fusion of sweetness and darkness, both in sound and image, left a lasting impression on the ’80s pop landscape, cementing their reputation as a cult favorite with enduring influence.
Strawberry Switchblade’s 1984 single “Since Yesterday” is a dreamy slice of ’80s pop that perfectly captured the duo’s unique mix of sweetness and melancholy. With its shimmering synths, jangly guitars, and Rose McDowall and Jill Bryson’s delicate harmonies, the song stood out on the charts and climbed into the UK Top 5.
Beneath its bright, catchy melody lies a bittersweet edge, giving it the kind of emotional depth that has helped it endure over the years. As their biggest hit, “Since Yesterday” remains a defining moment for Strawberry Switchblade — a cult classic that continues to charm fans of nostalgic and offbeat pop.
The song peaked at No. 05 in the UK Singles Chart on the 21st January 1985.
| A-Side | Since Yesterday (2:55) (Jill Bryson. Rose McDowall) Produced By David Motion |
| B-Side | By The Sea (2:54) (Jill Bryson, Rose McDowall) Produced By David Balfe |
| Genre | Electronic, SynthPop, Pop, Goth |
| Release Date | October 1984 |
| Label | KOROVA RECORDS |
| Catalogue Number | KOW 38 |
| Date Of UK Top 40 Entry | 12th January 1985 |
| Highest Chart Position | No. 05 |
| Weeks In UK Top 40 | 08 |
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [8 Weeks] – 12th January 1985 – 2nd March 1985 |
| 32-10-[5]-7-9-18-25-40 |
Officially Released Versions
Since Yesterday [Single Version] [2:55]
Since Yesterday [Extended Version] [6:31]
Versions On Spotify
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Lyrics
Just close your eyes and then remember
The thoughts you’ve locked away
When tomorrow comes you’ll wish
You had today
And as we sit here alone
Looking for a reason to go on
It’s so clear that all we have now
Are our thoughts of yesterday
If you’re still there when it’s all over
I’m scared I’ll have to say
That a part of you has gone
Since yesterday
And as we sit here alone
Looking for a reason to go on
It’s so clear that all we have now
Are our thoughts of yesterday
La, la la la, la la la, la la la la la la
La, la la la, la la la, la la la la la la
Well, maybe this could be the ending
With nothing left of you
A hundred wishes couldn’t say
I don’t want to
And as we sit here alone
Looking for a reason to go on
It’s so clear that all we have now
Are our thoughts of yesterday
La, la la la, la la la, la la la la la la
(It’s so clear that all we have now
Are thoughts of yesterday)
La, la la la, la la la, la la la la la la
(It’s so clear that all we have now
Are thoughts of yesterday)
La, la la la, la la la, la la la la la la
(It’s so clear that all we have now
Are thoughts of yesterday)
La, la la la, la la la, la la la la la la
(It’s so clear that all we have now
Are thoughts of yesterday)
La, la la la, la la la, la la la la la la
(It’s so clear that all we have now
Are thoughts of yesterday…)
Written By Rose McDowall, Jill Bryson
