Half Man Half Biscuit - Westward Ho! Massive Letdown

 Many of the bands in this blog came, saw, conquered and then disappeared as quickly as they appeared (many to turn up again years later on the live circuit). Some though have been quietly plodding away, emerging (from gorse, or wherever) every 2 or 3 years (or every few months in the case of The Fall) adding to their impressive catalogues of work. One such band, who are one of my all time favourites, are Half Man Half Biscuit. From Birkenhead, Merseyside, they've been tickling the funnybones of several generations of fans since 1984 with their quintessentially English, humour filled folky post punk ditties. Initially creating a stir with their debut album Back In The DHSS, which featured songs about people like Fred Titmus and Bob Todd, and with their Trumpton Riots ep, they split up for a few years in the late 80's but returned to perform at the Reading Festival in 1990 and have been going ever since. Maybe people who aren't of a certain age or from Britain won't pick up on many of the people and places referred to in their songs but don't let that put you off, Nigel Blackwell is one of the greatest lyricist's of our time. There's a brand new album out, entitled Urge For Offal and this is the excellent opening track, Westward Ho! Massive Letdown.....

 Girl of my dreams says she’s gonna pick me up in the morning

Gonna head south-west, spend two weeks living in the sunshine
We’ve got the best room booked in the best hotel on the seafront
Hard-boiled eggs on a beach with a Blue Flag status

Westward Ho!
Westward Ho!

Fairground bound gonna have a little tussle with a claw crane
She meanwhile may like to see what’s going on in Northam
A Devon cream tea around half past three will be splendid
Crazy golf with a Swedish couple we befriended

Westward Ho!
Westward Ho!

Why is my fortnight suddenly coming to a standstill?
And why is Frank Ifield jumping up and down on a windmill?
And why is my girl getting married to a plasterer from Bacup?
Phoebus sinks and it all goes dark and then I wake up

Westward Ho!
Westward Ho!
Westward Ho!
(What a letdown)
(What a letdown)
(What a letdown)
(What a letdown)
Westward Ho!
(What a letdown)
(What a letdown)
(What a letdown)
(What a letdown)