March 17, 2017

 

 

At No.1 in 61 singing ‘Runaway’,

Del Shannon took to the floor.

‘Run To The Sun’ sang Erasure

decades later – reaching No.6 in 94.

 

‘Keep On Running’, a No.1,

for The Spencer Davis Group in 65,

and ‘Keep Moving’ in 99 also,

a No.1 for the UK male group – Five.

 

At No.4 in 71, Tami Lynn sang

‘I’m Gonna Run Away From You’,

and ‘Run To Me’ by The Bee Gees,

their 7^th Top Ten, coming in 72.

 

‘Run Baby Run’ by The Newbeats,

a hit of 71, making No.10.

In 95 Sheryl Crow’s hit ‘Run Baby Run’

a different song she helped to pen.

 

At No.34 with ‘Running Free’ in 80,

Iron Maiden hit the scene,

& ‘Running Free (Live)’ saw Iron Maiden

in 85 reaching No.19

 

Their ‘Run To The Hills’, in the Top 10,

in both 82 and 2002,

and ‘Run To The Hills (Live)’ in 85

also giving Iron Maiden a Top 30 pew.

 

In 80 ‘Running With The Devil’ by Van Halen

followed by ‘Jump’ in 84 – their first Top 10,

also ‘Running With The Night’ in 84,

saw Lionel Richie with his 4^th Top 10.

 

In the charts of 61, Roy Orbison,

at No.9 with ‘Running Scared’.

The year after ‘Only The Lonely’ –

his first No.1, some fans preferred.

 

‘Running Up The Hill’, in 85,

got Kate Bush to No.3,

and ‘Run To You’ found Bryan Adams

at No.11, as fans screamed gleefully.

 

In 79, Meatloaf meant business,

singing like a ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ – I’ll be gone.

And with ‘Running In The Family’, in 87,

at No.6, Level 42 shone.

 

In 80, along came ‘Runaway Boys’,

getting The Stray Cats to No.9.

and ‘Run For Home’ by Lindisfarne in 78,

their 3^rd hit to cross the Top 10 line.

 

 

Whether running away or towards something –

be it up hills or running down dales.

Or round in circles, never getting anywhere,

and feeling like a ship without sails.

 

No matter how tiresome your journey,

or how heavy your old knapsack,

just point your head towards the future,

and keep on running and don’t look back.

 

 

 

Saturday was a day to remember.

The Leader showed them the cultural scene,

Passing Bram Stoker’s home

and then onto St. Stephens Green.

 

They stopped for a pint in the Shelbourne,

then into Dublin’s smallest drinking den.

Before finding a bar with a telly,

to watch the footy – well, men will be men!

 

The girls went off to do some shopping,

saying ‘Can we stay out ‘till three?’

‘Oh, yes,’ cried the men with one voice,

while rubbing their hands with glee.

 

At last they could get down to business.

‘Another six pints of Guinness, good man’,

they shouted to the barman in eagerness.

‘This draught sure beats that in a can!’

 

The girls arrived back at three twenty,

thinking that they were so late.

But another game of footy had started,

so back out they went thinking, ‘Great!’

 

At teatime they walked along Grafton Street,

and stopped at Bewleys Tea Place.

Where they ordered sandwiches and coffee;

the day was still picking up pace.

 

In the evening they went to the Guinea Pig,

though they lost a ‘big brother’ on the way.

As one guy was still feeling very sick

and decided to call it a day.

 

The men soon got talking politics

and the world’s problems they did debate.

and decided to have some brandy,

when told that the taxi would be late.

 

Not realising they’d lose an hour

next day, as the clocks were put on.

They headed to a bar for a nightcap,

but one jumped in the lift, and was gone.

 

The Leader had been promised tickets

from a guy, who’d never let him down.

They were to meet him in the second carriage

of the next train heading for town.

 

This soon proved a journey to remember.

The passengers were crushed to bits,

One woman yelled: ‘You’re breaking my ribs!’

another screamed: ‘You’re squashing my tits!’

 

Each time they pulled into a station

the doors slid open and still more got on.

One of the girls nearly burst into tears,

as sadly, her bottle had gone.

 

The Leader came good with the tickets,

well, he got an all important two!

And with hindsight, for him and his best friend

it’d be a match they wouldn’t want to view.

 

They’d probably have developed heart failure,

or at least sunk in utter despair.

Because the game wasn’t so much a ‘walkover’,

as it was embarrassing beyond compare.

 

Two of them stood at the back of the Stand

to avoid the inevitable squeeze.

Whilst others headed towards The Herbert Park,

for stew and Guinness to at least appease.

 

Some headed into the city,

to find a livelier spot.

And stumbled up the stairs to O’Neills,

into a room that was hotter than hot.

 

One poor guy was still feeling dodgy

and needed a place that was cool.

‘I could give all this lot twenty years!’

He thought, as he stood on a stool.

 

But age, in the end, didn’t matter.

as England won by a margin so clear.

And gave all the much travelled supporters

an excuse to down yet even more beer.

 

They then headed back to Mulligans

and ordered more beers and coke.

Where they met the Leader’s older brother,

who turned out to be one hell of a bloke.

 

He was just back from touring Australia

and he had an amazing grin,

due to a plate of teeth made from titanium

that he said was almost ‘paper thin’.

 

The rest came in celebrating,

the unbelievable England win.

And ribbed the Irish unmercifully

but they took it well, on the chin.

 

Then they caught the train back to the hotel,

including the brother and the best friend.

At least they could commiserate together,

a sorrow shared, by good pals til the end.

 

The group then collected their cases.

Their adventure was over and done.

They agreed the weekend had been terrific,

and best of all – England had won!

 

England v Ireland  – The Big One

 

March 14, 2017

 

 

Sister Sledge entered the charts in 75,

making the Top 20 with ‘Mama Never Told Me’,

and four years later in 79.

3 more hits followed consecutively.

 

Also in 75, ‘Then Came You’ –

Joni performed with The Spinners.

But will be remembered for her sister- act,

and their songs that were all winners.

 

‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’ & ‘We Are Family’

both making the UK Top Ten.

With ‘Lost In Music’ reaching No.17 –

this disco hit, played again and again.

 

‘Frankie’ their only No.1 in 85 –

these ‘All American Girls’ we loved true.

Their songs also remixed hits in the 80’s,

and remixed a 2^nd time, in the 90’s too.

 

This bubbly Singer/Songwriter & Producer

deserves every accolade due.

And today Dear Joni, you can be sure –

The Pop World will be ‘Thinking Of You’

 

 

 

 

 

Tune in to

Tonys Time Machine

Live on

15th & 22nd March.

11 am – 1pm

(with usual repeats in between)

to hear Tony’s

‘March Musical Memories’

with songs by

George Michael,

David Bowie,

and

Freddie Mercury

including Tony’s

special tribute to

Joni Sledge

and music to accompany

 the Poem

For The Love Of Joni Sledge

written by

Harriet Blackbury.

 

Vikki will also be close at hand

as usual, to bring everything together.

 

So listen, relax and enjoy.

 

 

March 7, 2017

 

Tune in to 

Tonys Time Machine

on Wednesday  8th March

11 am – 1 pm

to listen to Tony’s special show

dedicated to 

International Womens Day.

 

There will be live recorded Interviews

from a selection of ladies from Creative Support.

and as usual Vikki will be close at hand.

 

Tony will be chatting to his

Studio Guest of the  week 

Claire Shaw

who will also be reading

For The Love Of Girl Power

written by

Harriet Blackbury.

 

Have fun everyone

 

PS  The Show is repeated

Thursdays at 8am

and

Saturdays at 7pm  

 

February 27, 2017

 

 

The dynamics change

almost overnight

without a hint

of a clue.

A new day dawns

and a wilderness

is the only sight

in view.

 

A life that let us

go forward

now just a path

of dust.

Another one

now missing

from our tight

circle of trust.

 

The dynamics change

almost overnight

without so much

as a blink.

A new day dawns

and yesterday’s plans

we immediately have

to re-think.

 

A life that let us

go forward

now finds us in

‘stand still’ mode.

Another one

now missing

as we embark

on an unknown road.

 

 

 

 

He stood her up.

He stole her pride.

He sent her on

a wild goose ride,

 

to nowhere that

she’d ever been –

If he’d just said

‘He wasn’t keen’!

 

He stood her up.

she waited long,

Listening to repeats

of that same song,

 

Inside the doorway

of The Robin Hood.

Gently simmering

for his blood.

 

He stood her up,

so long ago.

Never could she let

the moment go.

 

For over an hour

she loitered there

With a sinking feeling

of despair.

 

He stood her up

on the first date,

as guys came and went,

and thought her bait!

 

And she, naïve –

a cold & wet young teen,

as the Juke Box belted out

Yellow bloody Submarine!

 

He stood her up –

‘A promise counts for nowt’,

She thought as the wind

blew her brolly inside out,

 

as the heavens again opened,

with not a rat in sight,

as she trundled home, bedraggled

on that wasted night.  

 

 

 

 

And humour in the end won out,

the common theme, the raucous shout,

as usual suspects all in place,

including those fallen from grace.

 

And bon viveurs and raconteurs,

took to the stage and made it theirs.

And champagne flowed and fuelled the fire,

as eyes recalled love’s lost desire.

 

And once or twice or maybe more,

the same old tale, bounced off the floor.

Revived, recycled, yet still the same –

a favourite of Sir Wots-his-name?

 

and hands were shaken and both cheeks kissed,

as Farewells said, from some now pissed,

and promises flowed from meaning lips,

as one, too tightly, got to grips,

 

Seizing the chance – you know the type,

who wins a girl by talking tripe.

All in his head, part of his act.

there’s always one and that’s a fact.

 

And queuing black cabs form a line,

as bodies fall in – ‘Your place or mine’?

Others not knowing their destination,

get out at Piccadilly Station.

 

And wander off into the night,

A night still young – Go fly your kite.

For humour in the end won through,

the common ground, that buddies knew.

 

And usual subjects, play their ‘cards’,

staying up til dawn – these real die-hards,

until departing, with words of cheer

‘Same time next week – make sure you’re here’.

 

 

 

 

Ingrained from birth –

encouragement gone bonkers.

Hopes and advice to where

the future could lead.

 

Ingrained from birth

to be like someone,

a model, a standard,

a force to succeed.

 

Ingrained from birth,

into brain cells cemented –

a carbon copy, a cloned image –

Lord, let uniqueness be freed.

 

 

 

 

Don’t let her go to your Ethel’s,

she’ll give her something we can’t give.

She’ll spoil her and make her dissatisfied,

and make her hell on earth to live with.

 

Don’t let her go to your Ethel’s,

she’ll only get into her mind,

and give her false hope and aspirations,

that when she returns, she won’t leave behind.

 

Don’t let her go to your Ethel’s,

we’ll bring her up our own way,

scratching each crumb together-

there is nothing more to say.

 

Don’t let her go to your Ethel’s –

but too late our cry of distress!

She’s already besotted with her thinking,

more so than if we hadn’t cared less!

 

 

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