You've heard them sing of Penny Lane, you've heard them sing of Strawberry Fields, and old Broadway
But there's another place I know, not very far, so shall we go and see it today?
So come away to Cricklewood (Aah aah), nothing ever happens there, in Cricklewood (Aah aah)
No-one's going anywhere, in Cricklewood
They've got nothing to do, so let's go to Cricklewood (Aah aah)
People walking to and fro in Cricklewood (Aah aah), where they're going they don't know, in Cricklewood
They've got nothing to say, come away, hey hey
People looking for the sun, nothing is happening
Waiting 'til the day is done, then they go home
To Cricklewood (Aah aah), they're gonna stay in Cricklewood (Aah aah)
They'll never stray from Cricklewood
[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK – with bus driver's commentary in background]
People looking for the sun, nothing is happening
Waiting 'til the day is done, then they go home
To Cricklewood (Aah aah), they're gonna stay in Cricklewood (Aah aah)
They'll never stray from Cricklewood
(Cricklewood) They're gonna stay, (Cricklewood) Won't go away
(Cricklewood) Let's go today, (Cricklewood) Just send your pay
(Cricklewood) Gotta get away, (Cricklewood) Hey hey hey
(Cricklewood) We're gonna stay (Cricklewood) We're going to play
We've all heard the Beatles wax lyrical about Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields and all of the interesting and quirky characters who just happen to frequent them. Well this is the Goodies attempt to capture that famous Fab Four sound and while the rhythm and vocals are very respectable indeed, there's just one fatal flaw. While the otherwise nondescript Liverpudlian street and park were filled with fascinating folks who made millions for the Beatles, the Goodies' attempt to pay similar homage to their home suburb of Cricklewood strikes a bit of a snag because "nothing ever happens there". In fact no-one's going anywhere, they've got nothing to say and nothing much is happening. People work until day is done and then go home to stay, with only the accompanying commentary of the bus driver providing any relief from the tedium.
WHY?
In the "Stone Age" episode, Graeme's theory that primitive uncivilised man once existed around London was quickly taken a step further by Bill, who claimed that these people still do exist "...in Cricklewood!", and this song just might provide conclusive evidence to support his theory. It was previously suspected that people who said and did nothing and had no idea of where they were going or what they were doing were either confined to the Houses Of Parliament, attending Max Bygraves concerts or holidaying at Bognor. However it seems as though there is a whole suburb full of them in London, so it's a good thing that the Goodies set up their office there to liven things up a bit. Even Lennon and McCartney would have found it hard work making a million seller out of writing about this boring lot, but the great W.E. Oddie has at least managed another satirically humourous song, and a rather melodious one at that.
HOW!
Using the patented Black Pudding Ratings System:
MUSIC: III Goody Goody Yum Yum
SINGING/LYRICS: IIII Officially Amazing
HUMOUR: III Goody Goody Yum Yum
ALL TOGETHER NOW: III Goody Goody Yum Yum
THE BLACK PUDDING RATINGS SYSTEM
IIIII - Superstar.
IIII - Officially amazing.
III - Goody goody yum yum.
II - Fair-y punkmother.
I - Tripe on t' pikelets.
