Football and Music

There’s no need for me to remind you or go over this event:

Everyone knows about it and in England we’ve been trying to escape, or to bring new memories for.. what is it now… 42 years… It seems as if we cursed ourselves by winning it that once and the powers that be have decided that to increase our chances of winning it again is by bringing the World Cup tournament back again.

I for one would love it, ju.. Even if we don’t I would still love to see the spectacle of the whole thing back home again.

- For those of you who do want to read up about it again then the following links will guide you:

• Wikipedia - 1966 FIFA World Cup
• BBC On This Day - July 30th 1966
• YouTube - 1966 World Cup Final in colour

This being Football and Music I obviously want to look at the music from back then and profile a couple of contributers.

First up is the king of skiffle - Lonnie Donegan.   Part of a bio via allmusic guide:

…he invented a style of music, skiffle, that completely altered the pop culture landscape and the youth around him, and for a time completely ruled popular music through that new form. What’s more, his music, like that of Presley and Haley, was vital to the early musical careers and future histories of the Beatles, the Stones, and hundreds of other groups.

In relation to the World Cup he released a song about the 1966 tournament mascot (above left) - World Cup Willie.

» Lonnie Donegan - World Cup Willie         - Lyrics

..and the B side - a very philosophical song from Lonnie:

» Lonnie Donegan - Where In The World Are We Going

Next up - some instrumentals from the John Schroeder Orchestra.     Bio via allmusic guide:

Arranger/conductor/producer Schroeder does have a few pop/rock credentials: he wrote a number one U.K. hit for British singer Helen Shapiro (”Walkin’ Back to Happiness”) in the early ’60s, made the first licensing deal for Motown product on British shores, and formed Sounds Orchestral, which had a Top Ten hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1965 with “Cast Your Fate to the Wind.” To the current space-age pop crowd, however, he’s known as one of the chief exponents of what the British call “easy” — recordings, mostly instrumental, which welded easy-listening pop arrangements to soul, rock, and psychedelic source material.

» John Schroeder Orchestra - On The Ball

…and the B side - the beginning sounds like the start of Vindaloo, were Fat Les influenced by this ?

» John Schroeder Orchestra - The Britannia March

This is the first post in what I'm calling the “Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used To Be” series in which we’ll be looking back at significant events and people from days gone by.

To start us off it is Denis Law and that back-heel.

It it more commonly remembered as the 10 yard cheeky chip-in that sent Man Utd down, but in fact they were pretty much already doomed anyway.

A quick reminder »

Denis Law was one of these rare players who had played for Man City and then moved to Man Utd (via Torino for one season) before signing again for City.

But his second spell at Maine Road was after 11 sucessful years at Old Trafford. Back at City it was a Denis Law who was near the end of his career.

In City’s last game of the 1973–74 season, it was his back-heel that gave City a 1–0 win, but he was devastated to have relegated United (it turned out they would have been relegated even if the match had been drawn, but Law did not know this at the time) .

When he scored Law didn’t celebrate the goal, he walked back up to the half way line with his head down and was substituted immediately afterwards. This game was the last of his professional career, as he retired shortly afterwards.

Stefen Cush of The Men They Couldn’t Hang remembered this and other events of the 70’s when he wrote today’s tune:

» The Men They Couldn’t Hang - Denis Law and Ali MacGraw

Lyrics:

Some real jumpers for goalposts moments in there, plus mentions of a couple of other players.

Latest about the daft lad. Sadly he’s still ….as a brush.

Article via DigitalSpy:

‘Confused’ Gazza supports wrong team

Friday, March 14 2008, 12:15 GMT
By Beth Hilton, Entertainment Reporter

Paul Gascoigne reportedly celebrated Barnsley’s recent FA Cup win after forgetting he played for Burnley.

The Sun claims that the ex-footballer has been continuing to behave erratically since he was released from a psychiatric unit last Friday. He was sectioned 18 days earlier following an alleged drinks and drugs binge.

A friend is quoted as saying: “I gently reminded him it was Burnley he was with for a short time and he said, ‘No, it was Barnsley’. He was quite insistent.”

The source added that Gascoigne answers the door in an untied dressing gown with his genitals on show when friends visit his dad’s home in Gateshead.

The 40-year-old, who was placed on suicide watch after being admitted to hospital, also chain-smokes, twitches and puts on voices.

Doctors have predicted that he will require periodic treatment for his mental health issues for the rest of his life.

A hospital source said: “Gazza is almost certain to become a revolving door patient, spending years in and out of psychiatric hospitals. They’ll be in for a few weeks, get treated, improve and be released.

“After a few months they go downhill again.”

Many people have tried to describe why they love this game so much. But you can’t.

Even when after the heartbreak of losing in another penalty shoot out, we still come back the following Saturday and still get behind the team. Nobody can explain it.

Our world is football. Simple as that.

If you are feeling brave enough the above ball can be purchased via this Japanese website.
Found it via this site.

Today’s featured track was recorded by Bruce Thompson in 1975. That’s all the info I have about it I’m afraid.

The song nearly steers itself towards light entertainment hell but somehow manages to keep itself from completely going Jess Conrad.

» Bruce Thompson - My World Is A Football

Extra time & pens:

When I saw the above image the line from that song got into my head, so…

» XTC - Senses Working Overtime

…”And all the world is football-shaped / It’s just for me to kick in space…”

Just as Chimbonda did yesterday.

Sorry. I couldn’t resist…

The other week I looked at Stoke City, who were top of the table and looking good for promotion up to the Prem.
My post, which has happened before, seemed to have cursed them because ever since then Stoke’s form has gone right out of the window and they’ve slipped into the playoff places.

I hope this doesn’t curse the Ashton Gate residents. Here goes anyway…

So the recent FA Cup Quarter finalists Bristol Rovers have an old folk/blues number associated with them.

What then do their rivals across the city have ? Something equally historic I expect.

Err… well they went down the Luton Town path with a comedy musical band.

I remember these bloke being on the telly all the time in the ’70’s, and like the Barron Knights they hit it big with their their spoofs of current hits of the time.

Sadly, in my opinion they reinforced our perception of country folk being all ooh arr and driving their tractors and drinking their scrumpy. Also unfortunately their cover versions are probably better remembered in the UK than the original.

How they are associated with Bristol City is that the team run out to an especially written song about them. It was originally done in 1976 and re-recorded with the team in September 2007 to celebrate their promotion and to raise money for charity. After a heavy campaign it reached number 66 in the charts.

» The Wurzels - One For The Bristol City

Additionally - a reminder of their comedy covers:

» The Wurzels - I’ve Got A Brand New Combined Harvester

Original: Melanie - Brand New Key

» The Wurzels - I Am A Cider Drinker

Original: George Baker Selection - Una Paloma Blanca