Monday 23 February 2015

55 From 55 - 1962

55 songs in 55 days - one for every year of my life...so far.

Modelling my Sunday best in 1962.

1962 was a good year for Bernard Cribbins. He scored two big hit singles with 'Hole in the Ground' and 'Right Said Fred', popular tunes on the BBC's Family Favourites radio programme throughout my childhood. Often overlooked nowadays though, is Bernard's third hit that year, 'Gossip Calypso'. For some reason this one is vividly etched in my memory. Perhaps it's Cribbins' breathless rat-a-tat delivery or maybe it's the unique use of the phrase 'oxyacetylene welder' in a pop record, but this song has always stuck.

'Gossip Calypso' was written by Trevor Peacock. Latterly a noted TV actor, in the 1960s Peacock penned songs for the likes of Joe Brown, Adam Faith and Billy Fury in addition to the bona-fide hit, 'Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter' for Herman's Hermits.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

'Hole in The Ground' and 'Right Said Fred' are iconic but I just cannot recall ever hearing this before. Classic Cribbins. The calypso became a bit of a 'thing' in the early to mid 60's, didn't it? Remember Lance Percival? Didn't he specialise in that sort of thing?

The Swede said...

SB. When I was very young and didn't know the words I used to sing 'Cossie Calypso' and it's still how I think of this song. Funny how you remember some things.
Yes Lance was TV's king of the topical calypso. Didn't he perform a specially composed one on TWTWTW every week?

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of this song, and it looks as if I never will. Your youtube video isn't available for play in Canada, I guess. ;-( Still, I'll keep my eyes and ears open for it in the future.

That photo of you as a wee tyke is charming though, and worth the price of admission!

Charity Chic said...

I think we must have gone to the same barber!

Brian said...

I have mentioned this before when you wrote about your days at the races with your father, but I'm envious your life has been chronicled in photos so lovingly. Great pic today.

And a note to Marie about the randomness of youtube accessibility. I'm able to see/hear this one today, and I'm in the United States.

The Swede said...

Marie. Sorry you can't see/hear this one. I think there a couple more uploads on YouTube that might be worth a try. It's a very English, very 60's bit of fun.

CC. Haha! Mr Pudding Bowl I presume?

Brian. Dad was very keen on photography, though later in life didn't really have the equipment to take good shots. In the 60's and early 70's he had a pretty good camera though, and documented my early life quite thoroughly. I've unearthed many forgotten photos getting this series together and will probably share the odd one here and there after its conclusion.
(Thanks for the YouTube info!)

Anonymous said...

Brian: Thanks for the info. I guess it must be related to copyright. Here in Canada, we still don't have any access to Spotify!

Old Pa's Corner said...

'Fred'so iconic how many times did I herar that on Children's favourite

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