 |
| The love of Marion's life - not me, but this fella... |
The present Mrs Smith was browsing through her record
collection and deciding which discs she would like to keep for posterity and
those she would like to throw out. The
Osmonds, Black Lace, The Dooleys, erm, Max Bygraves...there was a strong smell
of cheese emanating from the spare room. She has the original ‘Now That’s What
I Call Music’ recordings on vinyl which you can pay a small fortune for in some
music stores where vinyl has made a comeback. I was contemplating the wisdom of
marrying someone who has such dubious musical taste when, from the ‘collection’,
Marion produced another couple of gems (bear with me)
The two gems referred to were – would you believe – football
related and were from Scotland’s ill-fated world cup campaigns of years gone
by.
Comedian Andy Cameron became famous (or should that be
infamous) for his song – although I use the term loosely – Ally’s Tartan Army,
the anthem of Scotland’s doomed World Cup campaign of 1978 in Argentina and
homage to the manager of the national team at that time Ally MacLeod (it’s okay
– you don’t need to dive under the bed). Marion still has the record – possibly
one of only a handful of people who still do. In fact, she not only has a copy
but it’s a signed copy, with the bold Andy’s signature scribbled over the
cover. I was somewhat taken aback by this but the reason she has a signed copy
has faded somewhat from her memory. For that perhaps I should be thankful.
As if this wasn’t enough, she then produced another record
from Scotland’s next doomed World Cup campaign in Spain in 1982. ‘We Have a
Dream’ was sung – again, I use the term loosely – by the Scotland squad by way
of taking their minds off the prospect of facing Brazil in Seville. The opening
lyric – ‘I awoke in the night with a fever’ may well have been prominent in
goalkeeper Alan Rough’s mind as he watched goal after Brazilian goal flash past
him as the Scots lost 4-1. However, it’s another line from the song that summed
up Scotland’s tale of woe – ‘that’s no the ball yer kickin' ya eejit, it’s me!’
could easily describe defenders Alan Hansen and Willie Miller clattering into
each other to allow Russia to score and therefore eliminate the Scots in the
final group game. Terrible defending, as Mr Hansen was prone to say when he turned
BBC Match of the Day pundit several years later.
Quite why my wife had this particular record in her
collection isn’t entirely clear. She certainly can’t remember buying it and
could only surmise her late father had purchased the recording back in 1982.
Both songs have been consigned to the depths of my
subconscious mind - have I mentioned I’m a hypnotherapist? Contact me if you
have any unwanted habits…but it’s surprising what events can bring such
tortuous memories back to the forefront of one’s mind.
Every cloud has a silver lining. The only positive thing one
can take from Scotland’s continual failure over the past 20 years and more to
qualify for the finals of a major tournament is that we don’t have to put up
with corny – okay, awful – songs recorded by football players who sound like a
street full of cats on heat. And there have been some stinkers in decades gone
by. Rod Stewart probably doesn’t need reminding of his Ole Ola effort – ‘we’re
going to bring the World Cup back from over thar’ and there are many others
which make you want to head to a darkened room when you hear them again.
The last few days have been an ideal opportunity to throw
out so much unused rubbish accumulated over the years. However, not only has
Marion insisted on taking those recordings by The Osmonds, The Dooleys and Max
Bygraves with her to our spanking new home, she’s taking those World Cup
ditties with her.
They’re sitting alongside my treasured recording of the
Hearts Song from 1986…
5 comments:
As long as your many books are safe, that is what matters...
They'll always be safe, Mr H - I can't give them away...
Well that was a moving story Mike....and good on Marion for producing a couple of gems from her collection of records.
When will you be getting the keys to your new home or are you already in there.
Big hugs
Peggy xxxx
We've already moved in, Peggy. The first time in my life that I've moved into a house that no one else has lived in. Hope you are well, my friend.
That must be exciting Mike. I have never lived in a house that wasn't once occupied by other people.
I am very well thanks for asking.
All the best my friend.
Peggy xxx
Post a Comment