More information on Song Lyrics:-
Clever People
This is a catalogue of the countless times the "experts" have got
it totally wrong -the quote about Hitler "stopping off to smell the
flowers is an actual quote from a journalist at the time of the
invasion of Czechoslovakia
Family Holidays
A kind of musical picture postcard George Formby style-but
what George have made of a modern seaside holiday ?
Mary
Marriages that used to be made in heaven are nowadays made
in a solicitor's wallet ! The song was written in the early 1970's
and makes Leonard Cohen sound like Black Lace. I have
however been reliably informed that the lady in question got it
all sorted in the end.
Songs of Praise
Written after watching one of those Sunday religious programs-
where do they get those congregations for the church services -
more to the point, where were they last week - I've been told
this song bears a resemblance to a poem called "The Church
Mouse".
Oddsock Blues
The first song wot i wrote! student days musing in a launderette
-why did I always end up with a sock missing ? Personally I still
believe in the "one legged pervert " theory. The song rambles
off in its own direction in verses 2 and 3.
Song for Desmond
Written in memory of the late Desmond Lewtas of Crowborough,
East Sussex, who was one of the handful of people to change
the way I think about life, and who gave me the original idea for
this song. Some years later I heard an extremely bossy infant
school headmistress saying that the school boiler was broken
but that there was a "little man" on his way to fix it -in fact when
he turned up he was a bit like Giant Haystacks.
Under the Baseball Cap
Title track of the CD -apparently it has been scientifically proved
that we reduce our intelligence by 30% merely by putting a
baseball cap on our heads -this becomes 60% if the cap is worn
backwards. I've even seen a morris dancer wearing one and
one worn to a funeral.
Cool and In Control
There are those who are 'cool' or think they are -this song is for
the rest of us ! Features John Montague on Telecaster.
Fifty Miles of Stormy Water
Written as a result of two delightful summers spent driving
around Southern Ireland. I'm glad we got there before the
arrival of timeshare and target setting. I've tried to weave a few
historical elements into the song - listen out for Martin's brilliant
double tracked whistle at the end of the song.
Service with a Smile
Another early song written in the 70's. One way to give a song a
short shelf life is to include the name of a politician -perhaps we
could rewrite that verse for Mr Blair -but then again he'll
probably soon be yesterday's news, won't he ?
The Devonshyre Plonkere
Written in ale sodden moments in (we think) 1973. Most of the
really good lines were down to Merv as I remember. He was
amazed that the song can still raise a titter, even among
traditional singers.
Amber
I'd always wanted to write a country song but couldn't come up
with a lyric that was simple but not embarrassingly naff.Val is
our resident bard at the Seagrave workshop and wrote "Amber"
after watching a TV program called "Lost Highway", about the
beginnings of American folk music. I thought it was crying out
for a tune and wrote this for Julia to sing.
Kerreh
Nottingham has "Nottingham Town", Derby has "The Derby
Ram" but poor old Leicester missed out because its song got
nicked. About the same time as the Isle of Wight Festival a
hooded figure was seen coming out of Cecil Sharpe House and
the rare "Ancient Wooliback" maunuscript went AWOL only to
appear on a Joni Mitchell album.. It was recently rediscovered
and now appears on the CD -only joking, Joni, I'll see you get
your royalties for the toon.
No Place Like Rome
Written at the time of the Ronald Reagan "Star Wars" insane
nuclear posturing. I always feel there is a lot in common
between the maddest of the Roman Emperors and the country
where the main impediment to becoming President seems to be
the possession of a brain. Apart from this, it's just good old
fashioned Rock n' Roll INNIT ? Keith Phelpstead, who designed
the front cover of the CD, and is an excellent blues singer takes
ther lead vocal on this track and John Montagu's powerhouse
slide guitar combine to give some real wellie to the last track on
the CD