The Mail Bag
The Blues Are Still Blue
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Listening to the Radio 5 build up to Liverpool v Sunderland last weekend raised another tinge of jealousy in me. It's something that has niggled at me for ages, forever possibly.
I heard in the background, playing over the loudspeaker "Heart As Big As Liverpool" by Pete Wylie. Great song. I'm jealous because that club truly embrace their roots in every possible way, down to choosing pre- and half-time music that celebrates the city's musical heritage.
The Beatles are regularly played at Anfield but would any visitor to Goodison make any connection with the Beatles? Can anyone ever remember them being played?
We are strictly small time in this respect. We play all the boy band X Factor stuff that's churning round the charts as well as that appalling thing that's boomed out throughout half-time. I honestly don't know what that sound is or for who's benefit it is played but it's terrible. We are seriously one step away from playing "Pig Bag" after each goal is scored.
I regard Everton as a culturally rich institution and the music played should be of a certain standard, whilst at the same time reinforcing in visitors, viewers and listeners that Everton is actually proud to be part of the world famous city of Liverpool. I for one would be happy to hear "Heart as big as Liverpool" at Goodison but if not that, why not "The story of the Blues" also by Pete Wylie?
Why don't we hear songs by Echo and the Bunnymen, Pale Fountains and Shack at the match. Even tenuous links like "The Blues are still Blue" by Belle and Sebastian would be a major improvement on current offerings. Any more suggestions along these lines?
John Kline, Posted 31/03/2010 at 22:56:28
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Still wouldn't mind abit of the Killing Moon at half time. Oh wait — don't we play Forever Everton and the likes before kickoff?
As for The Beatles, that is clearly played ad nauseum over there because half of the crowd are visiting from other parts of the country on some sort of 'scouse weekend'.... trip to the cavern, go on the Mersey ferry, match at Anfield etc...
Methinks you are giving them too much credit!!
However, the traditional "Everton," music (Forever Everton, Grand Old Team, etc) coupled with images of illustrious Evertonian legends, always sends the proverbial tingle shooting down the collective spine, and serve as the unique identifier for me,and for visitors the the Old Lady.
A bit of Beatles wouldn't go amiss though... Any thoughts on what Fab Four songs sum us up best, anyone?!
Can't think of any Beetles songs that have a great connection with anything Blue, but I'm no expert... must be something. If not, just good old quality songs from the 60s from the best Scouse bands.
... check today's date!
All of this is clearly stage managed to boost the Liverpool FC myth, the worldwide support for the only team in Liverpool.
But, we don't help ourselves, the game against Benfica was an opportunity, with the return of Eusebio, to show there is more than one team in this city. What did we do, usher Eusebio out when the ground is half empty and lo and behold, C5 went to a commercial break. I was looking forward to Eusebio ceremonially kicking the game off, with some of his goals on the big screens, something that would be shown across theTV station; instead, I wasn't even in my seat when it happened, the same as thousands of others.
As regards the music played before and after the game, it is basically on a par with "kick for the Carribean" that embarrassing half-time farce now happily consigned to the dustbin.
I have supported Everton for 50 years so my taste in pre- and half-time music is fairly eclectic and would rather have silence than listen to Cheryl Cole etc, but I would like to see a half time slot given to some local up and coming bands or singers, on the pitch with a write up in the program.
At least that would shut the annoying DJ up, who really needs to change his "Mighty Blues" intro to the team announcements.
1. Help!
2. Helter Skelter
3. Don't let me down (again).
I'll admit it pisses me off when they cut to adverts just as Z-Cars starts up.
If I remember correctly, the introduction took place well before the kick off, not 2 mins before, but maybe I am wrong.
I don't think we promote EFC as a brand at all... the fans do, when we have won a big game, maybe we should apply for the promotions contract at Everton, I'm sure we could do a better job?
I go for the football. If I want to listen to music i'll put a record on.
It was most likely a cock up on behalf of Everton's media people (if they have any). I obviously didn't get to see what was broadcast on live tv, but you're right that we should've made a big deal out of it.
5) 24/7, by Bill Kenwright
4) Substitute, by Carlo Nash
3) Working on the Chain Gang, by Tim Cahill's brother
2) Looking for a way out, by Stevie Pienaar.
And this week's Number One is:
1) We're almost there, by Davey Moyes.
Joking aside, Probably would be good to try and play some of the 'local heroes' music at Goodison.
Why don't you write to Everton and see what they say - if they can be arsed gettin' back to you that is.....!!!
Oh, wait a minute, we do!
How cosy
My favourite song about The Blues — "I guess that's why they call it the blues" (Elton John). He probably sang it to himself at Wembley in '84!
My Blue Heaven - Fats Domino
True Blue - Madonna
And having seen Wylie recently, I feel its time he brought out an updated version and call it "An ARSE as big as Liverpool"!!
Cozy Powell na na na for example? Or the Green Green Grass of Home?
Ah well, it pays the player's wages, I suppose...
It's utterly repulsive and I just want to shake these people (by the throat) and tell them "IF IT WAS'NT FOR MY CLUB, YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE NOW, YOU SHALLOW GLORY HUNTING SHEEP!"
Sadly we were succesful at the wrong time and have also fallen victim to not carrying the name of the city as our own. A good start would be to get those liver birds onto the club crest.
Robert W — I think 'That's Why They Call It The Blues' was the year before the 84 final.
Andy C — I suspect that your tassel twirling squad might have more success in the winter months, but I have no expertise in this field of choreography. Although I did apply once for the job.
The match-day presentation at GP is awful. Who gets paid for doing it? Do they know — or care — who we are? Have they ever asked the audience what they want or what we think of them?
And, entirely personally, Grand Old Team is a crap song, which might be excused if it was ours (Celtic?) and should fade away.
But in the spirit of the post, here goes:
Crystal Gayle — Don't it turn my brown eyes Blue
David Bowie — Sound and Vision ( - ...B B Electric B..)
Elvis Presley — Blue Suede Shoes
A song that always reminds me of being very young in the company of my lovely mother is, Beyond the Blue horizon
Waits a beautiful day
Goodbye to things that bore me
My life's waiting for me
I see a new horizon
My life has just begun
Beyond the blue horizon
Lies the rising sun.
A cut down version of Mike Nesmith's 70's version of that could easily become or 'bubbles'. Will they ever think that way? Doubt it.
Everyone knows The Beatles had mostly Blue inclinations... but who did Ron, Dirk, Stig and Barry support?
There she goes
There she goes again
Three points down the drain...
Beautiful Tune for the genius that both Beatles and Everton are.
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1 Posted 01/04/2010 at 08:58:53
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Of course, history has been re-written to make everyone think that the Shite were the only fans that sang and swayed to that music, in fact, weren't they responsible for most of it? Who are Lennon and McCartney anyway?
Bitter? Me? Nooooo....