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 Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 03:45 AM |
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Joined: Oct 06, 2010
Posts: 475
Location: Chicago
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First off, no offense intended by use of the word "limey" in the subject line. As I understand it, it is a non-derogatory nickname for British people (similar to "Yankee" referring to Americans). Then again, I think "shag" is a type of carpet.
Anyhow, I was recently watching an old rerun of Family Guy (somehow does not seem as funny as it did 10 years ago when I was in college), and the show cut away to a full length music video of Mick Jagger and David Bowie covering Martha Reeves' Dancing In The Streets. I am a fairly large fan of Jagger (the Stones' four album sequence is pretty hard to beat), and moderately fond of Bowie's music. However, this music video was one of the worst three minutes of sound/visual combination that I have ever seen. It butchered the song, and the costumes, makeup, and "dance moves" of Jagger and Bowie were awful. I was certain this cutaway was from some sort of joke back in the 80's. However, I did a little research, and found out that, not only was the song serious, it was a huge success in Britain, and is popular even to this day. One source said that it was the most popular song played at street parties following the marriage of Prince William and Duchess Kate last year (save the questions about WHY there were street parties for another day...). Anyhow, to any Brits -- is this actually true? Was this song/video ever popular? Is it still? Please say it isn't so! I cannot believe that the country that brought us the Beatles, Stones, and Led Zeppelin also catapulted that abomination of a song to huge popularity! |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 04:12 AM |
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Joined: Nov 17, 2004
Posts: 13840
Location: Vancouver, BC
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Quote:
similar to "Yankee" referring to Americans
Try telling southerners that Yankee is not an insult. |
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Steve A.
The Board helps those that help themselves.
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 06:22 AM |
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Joined: May 02, 2007
Posts: 3020
Location: Nieuwegein, Netherlands
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I think it is because it is a more 'pumped up' version and thus people can better sing along with it.
It is even quite popular in the Netherlands as well. Every year a dutch music station has a 2000 hits. People can vote for (last year 15) numbers and as usual more votes makes a higher place. That song was on number 939. Note that there are over 5000 numbers to choose from, then it must mean that the song is rather popular.
The best reason I can think of is that people can easilly imitate the bad dancing and bad singing and that that makes the song so popular. |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 06:46 AM |
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Joined: Jan 03, 2006
Posts: 4417
Location: Hemel Hemsptead, UK
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It was performed to use with a huge music charity gig - Live Aid, from memory - in particular, a transatlantic section with singers on both sides of the pond, live. (I have no idea how they managed the timing).
As a result, it had a huge audience, many of whom would not have been old enough to remember the original. |
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Neil Barnes
www.nailed-barnacle.co.uk
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 09:41 AM |
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Joined: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 62310
Location: (using avr-gcc in) Finchingfield, Essex, England
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Quote:
One source said that it was the most popular song played at street parties following the marriage of Prince William and Duchess Kate last year
Well that simply is not true.
Anyway it seems it wasn't just the UK where the song was popular:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_in ... _version_2
(the French clearly have taste but it's a given that they hate anything in English!)
See:
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=5830
This confirms Neil's memory - it was a charity song for the Band Aid trust. |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 10:20 AM |
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Joined: Feb 12, 2005
Posts: 16310
Location: Wormshill, England
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Over the years, several popular songs have sold better in UK than US and vice versa.
We heard more black music than you did in the 1960s.
Likewise, we would not have heard much country music in the 60s.
Nowadays radio stations have less strict rules on both sides of the Atlantic. Each station may tend to a certain genre but a DJ playing something different is not a 'sacking' matter.
Personally, I think that "Dancing in the Street" is an excellent song. Period.
I like both versions.
Sometimes cover versions are better than the original. (although not in this case)
David. |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 12:47 PM |
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Joined: Jul 10, 2006
Posts: 2655
Location: Minneapolis
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koshchi wrote:
Try telling southerners that Yankee is not an insult.
Once while working in Tokyo a close Japanese coworker sheepishly admitted that Americans are referred to as yahng-kees (the Nihongo pronunciation of yankee). I assured him few Americans would be insulted by the term. Not sure if he was disappointed or not.
hobbss wrote:
Please say it isn't so!
The video especially is bad. Jagger seems to flail (more than usual), and Bowie seems uncomfortable. The image of these two in the act of passion overshadows the whole effort for me. |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 12:58 PM |
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Joined: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 62310
Location: (using avr-gcc in) Finchingfield, Essex, England
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Quote:
The video especially is bad. Jagger seems to flail, and Bowie seems uncomfortable.
+1
But do remember this was 1985 - 27 years ago - the year/decade that taste forgot - the same year that brought you "We built this city on rock and roll" and "We are the world"
And if you really want you flesh to creep - try watching this other "classic" from 1985:
http://worstsongsintheworldever.blogspo ... ights.html |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 02:35 PM |
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Joined: Apr 02, 2002
Posts: 210
Location: UK/Eire
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Quote:
Then again, I think "shag" is a type of carpet
Actually it is a type of tobacco, as in the great British phrase I'm off home for a rough shag...
I like Bowie but not Jagger. I never got the whole 'stones thing.
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Was this song/video ever popular?
I like the song but the video is $hit.
Quote:
"We built this city on rock and roll"
Hey, I object - I like the whole [Jefferson]Airplane/Starship[whatever they're called this week] music. I recovered my social standing once I discovered Dire Straits and the doctor says I'll recover. |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 04:45 PM |
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Joined: Jul 10, 2006
Posts: 2655
Location: Minneapolis
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Quote:
the year/decade that taste forgot
Well, they didn't do too bad, especially considering having to compete with the onset of cRap music. Prince, ZZ Top, Boston, U2, Journey, Billy Idol, Police, Metallica, etc, all did well for me. (Caveat: I was in high school and college so I'm probably not completely objective. But then objectivity may not apply to musical tastes!) |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 06:29 PM |
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Joined: Feb 19, 2001
Posts: 25912
Location: Wisconsin USA
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Quote:
...the most popular song played at street parties following the marriage of Prince William and Duchess Kate last year ...
Well that simply is not true.
OK, I'll bite--What song(s) >>were<< the most popular at street parties celebrating sdfsd gffghx ccfv ty ghhjk ku [censored] ? |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 08:39 PM |
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Joined: Mar 27, 2002
Posts: 18565
Location: Lund, Sweden
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Sex Pistols - "God Save The Queen"??  |
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Posted: Mar 22, 2012 - 09:18 PM |
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Joined: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 62310
Location: (using avr-gcc in) Finchingfield, Essex, England
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It is a well known fact that English at street parties sing "knees up mother brown" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knees_Up_Mother_Brown) and "do the okey cokey" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokey_cokey). Your average pissed Brit does not sully their enjoyment with none of this new fangled pop music stuff - oh no!
The following would be considered a masterpiece in British street entertainment if only it had included the two fore-mentioned songs:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Street-Party-Si ... l_1#disc_1
Quote:
1. Sing As We Go
2. Sally
3. She's A Lassie From Lancashire
4. On Mother Kelly's Doorstep
5. You'll Never Walk Alone
6. I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside
7. The Man Who Broke The Bank At Monte Carlo
8. Hold Out Your Hand You Naughty Boy
9. My Old Man's A Dustman
10. Underneath The Arches
11. It's The Ring Your Mother Wore
12. When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New
13. The Sunshine Of Your Smile
14. For Me And My Gal
15. Just Like The Ivy
16. The Lincolnshire Poacher
17. Robin Hood
18. Scarborough Fair
19. Durham Town
20. The Keel Row
21. Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner
22. I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
23. Burlington Bertie
24. They're Changing The Guard At Buckingham Palace
25. Old Father Thames
26. The Floral Dance
27. Sussex By The Sea
28. There Is A Tavern In The Town
29. Soldiers Of The Queen
30. Rose Of England
31. On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At
32. Blaydon Races
33. Early One Morning
34. Greensleeves
35. My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
36. In An English Country Garden
37. Do You Ken John Peel
38. The Archers Theme
39. Winchester Cathedral
40. Uncle Tom Cobley And All
41. Goodbyee
42. Land Of Hope And Glory
43. Hearts Of Oak
44. Rule Britannia
45. Jerusalem
There's a time and place for things like Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem. The "last night of the proms" is one and a good street party knees up is another. Nothing like toasting a bit of xenophobic imperialism when you get the chance!
Rather sadly I know the words to just about every song in the list above - being a Geordie "Blaydon Races" features very high on my personal list of favourites. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PrMaVjHS74 (my granny used to live about 10 minutes from the Scotswood Road!)
When I was 10 my mate David had a copy of My old man's a dustman - we played it so often we wore the grooves off! "You've missed me - am I too late?", "Nah, jump up on the cart!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7GeZ3YmONw
Oh and Britain will remain for ever indebted to the Irish for delivering Terry Wogan and his rendition of the Floral Dance to us! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElnCI1fkfFM
EDIT: Youtube links added - please watch to understand the British party mentality 
(my Geordie accent isn't what it used to be and cannot really do justice to a verse or two of the Blaydon Races - but my Dad, now that's another thing!) |
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Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 05:50 AM |
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Joined: Dec 30, 2004
Posts: 8776
Location: Melbourne,Australia
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| Any "Mrs Mills" in there for a bit o knees-up? And what happened to Kylie? Or is that for those in a 'special' club? |
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Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 08:55 AM |
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Joined: Sep 20, 2003
Posts: 4077
Location: Surrey, England
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The common cormorant (or shag)
Lays eggs inside a paper bag,
You follow the idea, no doubt?
It's to keep the lightning out.
But what these unobservant birds
Have never thought of, is that herds
Of wandering bears might come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs.
-- Christopher Isherwood |
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Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 01:56 PM |
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Joined: Apr 20, 2007
Posts: 6070
Location: Long Island New York
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Quote:
Quote:
similar to "Yankee" referring to Americans
Try telling southerners that Yankee is not an insult.
Or a METS fan!!  |
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Jim
I have decided that I am no longer going to plan anything in advance. In a court of law this is called Pre-Meditated, and does not look good for the defense.....
Timer function not working properly? Check CLKDIV8 Fuse first
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Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 04:11 PM |
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Joined: Nov 17, 2004
Posts: 6137
Location: Great Smokey Mountains.
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Koshchi wrote:
Quote:
similar to "Yankee" referring to Americans
Try telling southerners that Yankee is not an insult.
We are required to preface yankee with damned, and we don't capitalize it, as in "That damned yankee asked me what grits was."
Smiley |
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Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 05:30 PM |
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Joined: Jul 10, 2006
Posts: 2655
Location: Minneapolis
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| Reminds me of the New Yorker comedian doing a show in the deep South. He asks the crowd, "Does anyone know what a bagel is?" Voice in the back answers with a heavy drawl: "Yeah...it's a huntin' dawg!" |
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Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 06:52 PM |
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Joined: Apr 20, 2007
Posts: 6070
Location: Long Island New York
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| Nice!! |
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Jim
I have decided that I am no longer going to plan anything in advance. In a court of law this is called Pre-Meditated, and does not look good for the defense.....
Timer function not working properly? Check CLKDIV8 Fuse first
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Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 07:57 PM |
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Joined: Jan 03, 2006
Posts: 4417
Location: Hemel Hemsptead, UK
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John_A_Brown wrote:
The common cormorant (or shag)
Lays eggs inside a paper bag,
You follow the idea, no doubt?
It's to keep the lightning out.
But what these unobservant birds
Have never thought of, is that herds
Of wandering bears might come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs.
-- Christopher Isherwood
My word, I thought I was the only person who knew that one! |
_________________
Neil Barnes
www.nailed-barnacle.co.uk
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