When I was thinking about the Song of the Day today I thought it would be nice to big up someone who has been very important to me musically and inspirationally over the years, a bloke who grew up in the same area as me and so have quite a bit in common with.

Ian Dury... what can you really say about the bloke... Romford barrow boy accent, classical music training.. a sometimes very dark, very troubled bloke indeed. An utter loony, but a great bloke into the bargain. It's very rarely that the death of anyone well known troubles me in any way, but I don't mind admitting I was extremely upset when Ian died. The world is poorer place without him.

So. I'm choosing "Razzle in my Pocket" as song of the day - a childhood tale of nicking nudie mags from the local newsagents. Pretty much 100 percent of blokes reading this will chuckle knowingly as memories are stirred of doing the same thing when they were kids.

This song has quite complicated phrasing, in fact it's a double stanza which shows Ian's classical training. But his phrasing and delivery is perfect. I can't find a vid of Ian doing this live so we'll have to make do with just the song:



In my yellow jersey, I went out on the nick
South Street Romford, shopping arcade
Got a Razzle magazine, I never paid
Inside my jacket and away double quick.
Good sense told me, once was enough
But I had a cocky eye on more of this stuff
With the Razzle in my pocket
back to have another peek.

Instead of being sneaky I strolled inside,
I put my thieving hand on something rude
I walked right out with a silhouette of nudes
"Hold on sonny," says a voice at my side.
"I think you've taken one of my books."
Passers by gave me dirty looks
"Not me mister," I bravely lied.

We stopped by the window of a jeweller's shop
"If it's money for your lunch, I'd have given you a loan
Have you got any form, were you on your own?
Round to the station and we'll tell the cops."
"I'm ever so ashamed, it was wicked and rash
Here's the book back, and here's the cash
I never stole before, I promise I'll stop."

"Crime doesn't pay, you've got honest eyes
If we go to the law another thief is born
And I'll get the book back, creased and torn
So return what you've taken and apologise."
I gave him back his nudie book
I said I was sorry, I slung my hook
With the Razzle in my pocket as the second prize


Marvellous, marvellous.

Hmmm, do you like Ska?

cool, check out the flirtbox look-a-like thread then, also say hi to sexysally in the introductions thread.......