Season 2015-16
Opinion
Talking Points
Before Z-Cars?
Before Z-Cars was introduced, the Blues used to run out at Goodison to a marching band tune. It's driving me mad trying to remember what it was - can anyone help.
I know I should know but I just can't remember.
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2 Posted 05/06/2016 at 16:09:52
3 Posted 05/06/2016 at 16:21:02
Imagine Brian Blessed at Goodison. 'Dive Vardy, Dive!'
4 Posted 05/06/2016 at 17:56:04
5 Posted 05/06/2016 at 18:01:27
6 Posted 05/06/2016 at 18:05:50
7 Posted 05/06/2016 at 18:06:29
Finally, it sank in.
"Z-Cars" makes the fuckin hairs son my neck stand up like iron filings upon a magnet !
Always has, and always will.
(BTW, I'm a self employed Plumber and I reserve "Z-Cars" only for those very closest to me as their ringtone on my phone. Others get other beloved Everton anthems. The upshot of this is that when my phone goes off in the presence of a new customer two out of three respond most favourably. How I deal with "Twisted Reds" ? Well that's a trade secret.)
8 Posted 05/06/2016 at 18:10:25
9 Posted 05/06/2016 at 18:12:59
The highlight of the afternoon. Bitter sweet.
10 Posted 05/06/2016 at 18:21:22
It was recorded by Bing Crosby, accompanied by the Ken Lane Singers and Victor Young's orchestra. The song featured in Bing's 1950 film "Mr Music" and is a college (American) football song, hence the words 'black and blue', which nevertheless must have sounded appropriate in an era when football was more physical than today. It was not one of Mr Crosby's better recordings.
Is there a ToffeeWeb reader out there who was a regular at Goodison in the 1950s and who could verify whether this is the song in question?
Link: Video
11 Posted 05/06/2016 at 18:37:19
At every opportunity I try to gather support for this song written by a mate of mine, an artist, a rockabilly, the founder of "The La's" and a thoroughbred "Blues Blue", Mike Badger.
The lyrics parallel "Evertonians are born, not manufactured.....".
This DID used to be played when the team ran out after half time, I think that it should be again. It's not too difficult to hear this adopted by the Street End as a one and only truly original "Blues Choon".
12 Posted 05/06/2016 at 18:46:33
The blues took ages coming out for the 2nd half as Gordon West was injured and had his thigh strapped up... The song was by Andy Williams called..... "CANT TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU"....
13 Posted 05/06/2016 at 18:58:29
14 Posted 05/06/2016 at 19:34:58
15 Posted 05/06/2016 at 19:42:58
16 Posted 05/06/2016 at 19:45:20
17 Posted 05/06/2016 at 21:18:34
That's a true story and I think " To dream the impossible dream " is a great and inspiring song, but maybe not for Everton.
18 Posted 05/06/2016 at 21:23:32
19 Posted 05/06/2016 at 21:52:19
20 Posted 05/06/2016 at 21:59:27
I think it was 'Entry of the Gladiators'.
21 Posted 05/06/2016 at 22:04:56
22 Posted 05/06/2016 at 22:11:09
23 Posted 06/06/2016 at 01:14:32
Whenever I hear that song from across the park, it makes me want to punch someone in the face, that's the difference!
24 Posted 06/06/2016 at 02:31:15
Getting towards the start of the game and the ground was nearly full they would play the same 4 or 5 ' J.P. Sousa' type brassband tunes, in the same order, every home game, I'm still word perfect on 76 trombones to this day. Another was, Hooray for the red(?), white and blue...on as it was in those days with no colour telly...Hooray for the grey white and black...boom, boom.
All supplied by Creases of County Rd of course
The half time thing used to vary with what was popular or requested. It wasn't that they came out to it at HT as such, just it hadn't quite finished, by the time the teams reappeared. The records at HT thing was a function of the newly craze for pop music hyped up via Mersey groups success after 1962-63.
25 Posted 06/06/2016 at 04:24:45
On the other hand Derek # 24 could be right - it may have been a medley.
I think Colin's # 8 and Tony's # 21 suggestion about a song that we can sing during the game to lift the team has merit.
26 Posted 06/06/2016 at 04:34:42
Here is the correct link
27 Posted 06/06/2016 at 08:28:19
There was usually a mix of current pop and military music. One of the songs I still remember being played was Anchors Away, by the band of the Royal Marines stirring stuff to a young lad!
28 Posted 06/06/2016 at 09:22:09
I wouldn't be surprised if it was played in the late forties when I first started going to Park it was certainly played throughout the fifties.
Who wrote it and what is it about? Liberty Bell ? Was it connected to one of the wars?
29 Posted 06/06/2016 at 09:39:05
When the Mersey Sound became a growing influence and more and more popular, Beatles songs in particular were played over the tannoy and this invariably got every one singing (not just the Kop as the BBC would have you believe) and this all added to the atmosphere.
I recall a mid week FA Cup match against Hull when the Dave Clark Five "Glad All Over " was played and all the fans in the stand stamped there feet in tune. I thought the stands were going to collapse, the ground literally shook. Any one else remember that?
30 Posted 06/06/2016 at 10:23:08
31 Posted 06/06/2016 at 10:24:38
32 Posted 06/06/2016 at 12:56:52
33 Posted 06/06/2016 at 13:12:28
Only you can make my dreams come true
Only you can turn my skies blue
Love like ours should not be far apart
Only you can break my heart
Only you can end these sleepless nights
Only you can make things turn out right
You and you alone can keep us far apart
Only you can break my heart
Only you can break my heart
Only you can make my dreams come true
Only you can turn my skies blue
Love like ours should not be far apart
Only you can break my heart
Only you can break my heart
Only you
Only you
Only you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMItbnK7S8g
34 Posted 06/06/2016 at 13:19:51
35 Posted 06/06/2016 at 13:22:10
36 Posted 06/06/2016 at 14:43:29
37 Posted 06/06/2016 at 14:49:23
The other lot chose a recycled mawkish American show tune.
Which decision had the most class?
Does anyone else remember Goodison crowd singing When You're Smiling when winning in the 1950s ?
With present mood of optimism could be just the time to revive it ?
38 Posted 06/06/2016 at 15:33:16
39 Posted 06/06/2016 at 21:49:32
40 Posted 06/06/2016 at 21:58:04
41 Posted 06/06/2016 at 22:00:12
42 Posted 06/06/2016 at 22:02:29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m_ysiV4uVY
43 Posted 06/06/2016 at 23:16:09
44 Posted 07/06/2016 at 06:23:03
May your feet always be swift
May you know your proud history
When the winds of changes shift
May your vision be always golden
And may our songs be always sung
May you always be EVERTON
Forever EVERTON, for EVERTON
May you always be EVERTON
Bob Dylan's "Forever Young"
Audra Mae's version Link (used in "Sons of Anarchy") hits exactly the right tone for me.
Although, in fairness, Dylan's words are so pure Everton, as they are, that probably they could be just left alone.
(Wasn't there an Everton/Bob Dylan dialogue last year ?).
http://www..com/lyrics/bobdylan/foreveryoung.html
Alternatively, keep ALL the original lyrics, but simply change "forever young" for "My Everton". Works for me.
45 Posted 07/06/2016 at 07:47:00
I followed your first link and think that version is great.
I think you had a blooper in your second link for Dylan's lyrics so I have taken the liberty of inserting one from Dylan's official web site.
We could sing that song no problem and I believe it would really stir everyone up - players included.
I hope your idea gains momentum - I am 100% behind you.
Perhaps we could get a "name" to sing it at the opening of our new riverside stadium ;). I know I'm getting carried away now but that is just how I feel at the moment
UP THE BLUES!!
46 Posted 07/06/2016 at 08:52:40
One Direction and History
Some of the lyrics include lyrics like 'You and me got a whole lot of history (oh) We could be the greatest team that the world has ever seen'
Fits in with the 'If you know your history'
:)
48 Posted 07/06/2016 at 09:32:10
I do realise that your original intention was to evoke our history, so I apologise for getting all "blue eyed" and allowing myself to be drawn off topic.
Thanks twice over Laurie, firstly for your kind appreciation of my suggestion, then secondly for the official Dylan link.
I'd be absolutely delighted should Evertonians belt out something inspirational and heartfelt and original such as above.
And yes, I know precisely how you feel, but we should all dare to dream.
50 Posted 08/06/2016 at 03:07:49
'Red the seed the devils sporn...Blue an Everton reborn...and so on.
51 Posted 08/06/2016 at 13:52:59
52 Posted 08/06/2016 at 13:57:19
53 Posted 08/06/2016 at 14:06:01
In 1963, Former England international Bill McGarry joins as Manager [Watford] replacing Ron Burgess.
Introduces Z-Cars "His favourite TV Programme" and the Hornets establish a 29 game unbeaten home run.
Wikipedia says: The first football team to use it was Watford F.C. who adopted the theme in the early 1960s, as it was then manager Bill McGarry's favourite TV programme.[3] It has been played as the players come onto pitch since then. During the rise of the club through the leagues in the 1970s and 1980s, it became associated with the club's success under manager Graham Taylor.
Workington A.F.C. are also known to play the theme when the players enter the field. This is because Evertonian Ken Furphy was manager of the club in the 1960s. Sunderland A.F.C. were also known to have played the song as their players ran out to the field during their days playing at Roker Park.
54 Posted 08/06/2016 at 14:25:14
I actually love what Crystal Palace have down with the rocking music and the cheer leaders. It looks incredibly fun and is a raucous atmosphere. Z Cars just seems old and from a previous era.
55 Posted 08/06/2016 at 14:31:44
56 Posted 08/06/2016 at 17:34:44
"“Ironically, after it had been played for the first seven or eight home matches, it was left out on the very day the late Mr. Leonard Williams of Twentyman fame was a guest of the club, only three or four days before he died."
He died in Nov 1962.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/david-prentice-real-story-behind-7795561
57 Posted 08/06/2016 at 17:50:59
58 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:10:20
59 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:13:32
60 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:14:31
61 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:20:58
62 Posted 08/06/2016 at 18:56:54
As a result of the response it was played at every home game from the beginning of the following season.
63 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:38:50
#56
1962 was the first time it was used at Goodison, the show, Z Cars started in January 1962.
64 Posted 08/06/2016 at 20:52:54
65 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:32:37
That has a very stirring and haunting quality to it - certainly as stimulating and poignant as the piece from carousel. It was written by an Evertonian and the title neatly lends itself to a memorable acronym "ATN", that is every bit as "catchy" as that used across the park.
The title signifies harmony and a sense of all belonging to a united ideal.
66 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:36:52
Link
67 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:37:31
Was very surprised at the time that a toffee lyricist didn't tweak the words to our use, loads of potential.
Apologies as I don't know how to add a link but easily available with a quick search.
68 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:40:14
69 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:47:12
70 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:53:31
71 Posted 08/06/2016 at 21:59:25
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fnUotdp_YHY
72 Posted 08/06/2016 at 22:06:22
For me a song full of uplifting potential
73 Posted 09/06/2016 at 07:16:02
Can anybody else enlighten us?
74 Posted 09/06/2016 at 09:20:26
Q. What did you have for your tea?
(and what did I have yesterday, 'cause I can't remember....)
but I do think that the ECHO article pretty much nails it with more accuracy than my memory recalls it.
75 Posted 09/06/2016 at 10:33:46
76 Posted 09/06/2016 at 14:21:21
Like a player called Jimmy Hill who played for us and was awful. Signed from Norwich and he was crap. Why do I remember him? No idea.
Or Jimmy Fell, RAy Veall, and a selection of crap left wingers. Between them they maybe played 30 games. Why? No idea.
I remember Roy Vernon and a great goal he scored against Blackpool on Good Friday in 1960 and the first Derby Match in 1963 when they came back up, and particularly the argument with my mates afterwards.
Or the Leeds match when both teams were sent off and the crowd after the game demanding the referee on Goodison Road.
And Tommy Rings debut and Fred Pickerings debut, both against Notts Forest I think at different times.
All these things I remember as events, probably better than last nights tea because they are events I recall happening. I don't recall the detail though.
It's the same with Z Cars but I stand to be corrected as in all things. It would be nice to bottom it out just for personal reasons I guess.
Memory eh? Bloody Hell.
77 Posted 09/06/2016 at 15:08:00
It's no wonder the events of yesterday will remain a mystery when my head is full of useless stuff like this...
78 Posted 09/06/2016 at 15:21:01
But I remember him as an all time great. Only Everton supporters seem to remember him these days.
79 Posted 08/07/2016 at 09:19:55
80 Posted 08/07/2016 at 09:54:34
Dick, also remember the Souza stuff. The tune brings back other memories, specific games and players.
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1 Posted 05/06/2016 at 15:33:45
I don't remember them running out to anything pre Z Cars, but that doesn't mean very much these days to be honest.
They sometimes had a brass band playing live on the pitch.