Here is the story and it is true. A friend of mine, who is now the Sec of State of Iceland, told me his brother booked a charter from Iceland to England to watch an air show and there were two seats not sold. We bought the cheap seats and went to jolly olde England.
His brother went to the show and we went and checked out London. On day three I overslept and missed the plane ride back home. I had no money, so I slept outside the hotel on a circular bench around a place called Piccadilly Circus. That was the first time I had seen people go around backwards around a traffic circle. But soon I was bored, cold and unamused. I started looking at the Times Square style big lights and wondered if this was what England was about or if I was just inside an ad.
I had a pencil and some paper so I wrote down some words. The next morning I went to the Iceland Airlines office and told them my hard luck story and, since I had this good Icelandic name, they gave me a ticket home.
Back in Iceland my friend Bjorgvin Gislason looked at my notes put some music to the thoughts and it became a hit song in Iceland and was played in other countries. I know Ramp is for new stuff, but stuff that has not made it here is new here. I think. Well anyway. Here it is
Keep in mind that I was really cold, wet and peed off at everyone trying to sell me things when all I wanted to do was go home.
Also. Keep in mind, when your read the lyrics, that I was young. And, did I mention, a little pissed off?
Silly Piccadilly
Piccadilly challenge all
Or drive us all away
I’d say your way
Could sell the day
That Satin makes his call
Piccadilly challenge all
Or drive us all away
I’d say your way
Could sell the day
That Satin makes his call
Bold commercial grasp your lust
Or rob yourself of pride
Your Hyde in stride
Best not denied
When tourists fold their trust
Strangling Square, circled around
(oh your’e silly. Silly Piccadilly)
Strangling Square, circled around
Though I must admit you took my pound
(my pound)
yia yia yia yia yea
Place you in a country town
And sweep away your streets
Where people meet
To beat the heat
And not a sale around
* * * * * * *
I have no idea why this song was released. I did not finish it. I wonder if, during the late 70's, getting something out was more important than getting something right. Well. Anyway. It went out. And, as it is obvious, it was not finished. But the record company made some money on us, so I guess it was alright. The record company was Polydor. They are now Univresal or whatever.