With The Duckworth Lewis Method being released tomorrow, it is time for this while it is still the best song about a spin bowler. (Thanks to Hywel, in a comment on that post, for the inspiration.) And here it is, live from Frome.
Half Man, Half Biscuit are a band from Birkenhead, known for their humorous lyrics (and humorous titles in particular) and concern with the minutiae of provincial life.
A 2001 Guardian article by Kevin Sampson gives a good portrait of the band, even if he does think that Fred Titmus is a "fiery Yorkshire pace legend".
As readers of this blog will know, Fred Titmus is a former Middlesex and England off spinner who was evacuated to Rutland as a child during World War II and the subject of a famous anecdote about amateurism and professionalism in cricket.
Lord Bonkers add: In fact, there have been many songs about spin bowlers:
- Single Bedi - Noosha Fox
- The Man with John Childs in his Eyes - Kate Bush
- Norwegian Underwood - The Beatles
- Take Me Home, Wilfred Rhodes - Olivia Newton John
- I'd Like to Teach the World to Singh - The New Seekers
- My Funny Valentine - Elvis Costello
4 comments:
Fred was also our professional coach at school, Aldenham School near Elstree in Herts, in the early eighties. At the same time, Gatting owned a sports shop in Radlett that was the school sports outfitters.
And who will forget Paul Hardcastle's classic tribute to Jim Laker, "Nineteen for ninety"?
Actually, it may not even be the best Half Man Half Biscuit song about a spin bowler! That honour could arguably go to Hedley Verityesque...
Ray East Of The River Nile - Augustus Pablo
Tim May You Never - John 'Damien' Martyn
Harbajhan Singh Our Own Song - UB40
I'd Rather Jack [Than Fleetwood-Smith Mac] - The Reynolds Girls
It's Clarrie Grimmett Up North - The KLF
I Hate David Hughes - HMHB
When an Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease - Roy 'Roger' Harper
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