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09 Aug 10 - 03:55 PM (#2961370) Subject: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: GUEST,worcs wanderer Much as I hesitate to steal one of Robb Johnson's songs when I haven't paid him any money for it yet.... Anyone want to post guitar chords for Bullingdon Circus? I've also got all the lyrics except: "And they backhandle pratfalls, see those clowns grin, ? - ? [two syllables missing] turnstiles, raking it in, See the prices go up as the trousers come down, The Bullingdon Circus is coming to town, The Bullingdon Circus is coming to town." |
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10 Aug 10 - 04:44 AM (#2961794) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: Leadfingers NOT in the Song Book I have , so its in the last ten years , but why not ask Robb ? He is on Face Book among other places and I am sure he would be only too pleased to help . |
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10 Aug 10 - 06:31 AM (#2961854) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: GUEST,worcs wanderer Thank you for your response, leadfingers, and, yes, I could ask Robb. He performed Bullingdon Circus at the Tolpuddle Kings Cross 175th Commemoration Festival in April 2009 so I'm guessing he wrote it in 2009 or 2008. As far as I know it's only been officially recorded and released on his recent limited edition cd "Win Lose or Draw (Unbeaten)". I know there's also a video posted on the internet though. The recording was played on Mike Harding's radio show recently and a friend of mine took a fancy to it. I reckon any political song which still seems relevant after a couple of years might have some staying power so I was curious to know if any 'catter had thought the same and worked out chords or tabs. Oh, and my brain dredged up the missing lyrics: "And they backhandle pratfalls, see those clowns grin, Building more turnstiles, raking it in, See the prices go up as the trousers come down, The Bullingdon Circus is coming to town, The Bullingdon Circus is coming to town." |
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10 Aug 10 - 08:58 AM (#2961954) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: Herga Kitty Quite prophetic in the circumstances! I was thinking Robb had mellowed since "We hate the Tories", but I'm wondering what songs the coalition will inspire...? Kitty |
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10 Aug 10 - 03:48 PM (#2962305) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: GUEST,worcs wanderer Yes, Herga Kitty, with hindsight Bullingdon Circus seems predictive. Robb doesn't sound especially mellow performing Win, Lose or Draw (Unbeaten) with the Irregulars: youtube video posted via Robb's myspace blog :-) My friend brought up Bullingdon Circus in the first place because we were speculating on whether our change overlords would prompt a wave of protest songwriting. |
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10 Aug 10 - 04:16 PM (#2962330) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: Herga Kitty Thanks ww for the link to Win, Lose or Draw, especially as that looks like Roger Watson playing too! Kitty |
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11 Aug 10 - 12:43 PM (#2962970) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: Cats Kitty he was quite his usual scathing self about the ConDems at Liskeard a couple of weeks ago |
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12 Aug 10 - 03:26 PM (#2963810) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: GUEST,worcs wanderer Yes, Kitty, unless we're both mistaken that's Roger Watson playing the grooving squeezebox. |
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21 Mar 11 - 11:26 AM (#3118287) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: GUEST,Alan Is this the worst political protest song ever? Apart from inchoate class envy and diffuse maunderings, what is it all about? Johnson would have to be quite a bit sharper and articulate than he is to make a success of the central circus metaphor. Pay up and shut up Cos here come the clowns or And they backhandle pratfalls, see those clowns grin, Building more turnstiles, raking it in, Pretty poor stuff. And what's the significance of Two shillings and sixpence But For you half a crown or And there aren't any animals being abused We give them all flags it keeps them amused ??? Just random rhyming words that have no relevance to the main thrust of the song. Sing Rule Britannia And God save the pound What??? Is this an oblique critique at our failure to join the euro? It's all so weak! But surely the most laughable lines of all are No high wire or flying trapeze The highlight's a bunfight with lashings of sleaze Lashings of sleaze? I think there was more sleaze in the New Labour project than in all other British governments since the war. It would be difficult for the Bullingdon boys to rack up a tenth of the sleaze that Blair, Brown and Mandelson managed over the last 13 years. I'm sorry Johnson, F grade this time. I suggest you study the lyrics of songwriters who can write proper protest songs such as Bob Dylan or Steve Knightly., and don't waste our time any further until you've taken their lessons on board. |
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21 Mar 11 - 12:31 PM (#3118334) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: Fred McCormick I've no desire to get involved in the rest of Mr Alan (Guest's) rantings. But I do wonder why he feels it necessary to take Robb Johnson to task over the antics of New Labour. I've never spoken to the man but I would guess that he feels about as much responsibility for the antics of Blair and Co as I do. Which is absolute zilch, zero and none whatsoever. On second thoughts, I think I will get involved. I can't say that I particularly admire the man's work. However before carrying out a rude and rough cut razor job like the one above, it would have been only polite for Mr Alan (Guest) to show us some of his own metrical musings. Come on Alan. Even if it's only in defence of the Tory party, let's see you put your talent where your mouth is. On the other hand, if you can't even see the connection between bunfights and Bullingdon, it might be wisest if you didn't. |
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21 Mar 11 - 01:14 PM (#3118383) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: Leadfingers Well said Fred ! Robb has written Lord knows how many excellent songs over the years , so I think he id entitled to the odd clunker , but GUEST Alan , as Fred said - How many good songs have YOU written ? |
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11 Apr 11 - 11:06 AM (#3133057) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: GUEST,Brendan B Much as I like some of Robb's stuff, Bullingdon Circus is far from his best lyrically. I heard it on Mike Harding's show a few months ago and wasn't impressed. |
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10 Sep 17 - 09:00 AM (#3876298) Subject: RE: Chord Req: Bullingdon Circus by Robb Johnson From: GUEST Hey What an extra dose of pleasure and inspiration I will now have listening to "The Bullingdon Circus" in the knowledge that it is irritating "Mr. Allan" and his associates so deeply. Of course if you wish to have exquisite written protest poetry, you can re-read Shellys' Mask of Anarchy. But in the 200 hundred years since he so eloquently condemned the British ruling class, they are alas still ruling! So I'll put my money (Two shillings and sixpence But For you half a crown) on Robb and his not so eloquent, but hard hitting critique of the oppressive British (Global) class system! Dave Watson |
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07 Oct 17 - 05:40 PM (#3880867) Subject: Lyr Add: THE BULLINGDON CIRCUS (Robb Johnson) From: Jim Dixon Here's what I think I heard at Spotify. The quotes posted above helped somewhat: THE BULLINGDON CIRCUS As recorded by Robb Johnson on "Songs from the Last Seven Years" (2017) Ladies and gents, roll up and sit down. Two bob and six pence, but for you, half a crown. Now sit down and shut up, 'cause here come the clowns. The Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. The Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. And they pretend to ride bicycles, backhand and grin, And they're building more turnstiles for raking it in. See the prices go up as the trousers come down. Oh, the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. Yes, the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. No, there isn't a high wire or a flying trapeze. The highlight's a bun fight with lashings of sleaze. The pies are all eaten and the truck's upside down, 'Cause the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. Yes, the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. And outside the turnstiles, the poor and the old. The jobless and homeless, they're out in the cold, And they're watching the lights as the merry-go-round, With their white ties and top hats and dazzling gowns. Oh, the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. But there aren't any animals being abused. We give 'em all flags to wave; well, it keeps them amused; And there's popcorn and candy floss and Boris the clown When the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town, When the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. So ladies and gents, roll up and sit down. Sit up and shut up; here come the clowns. We'll sing "Rule Britannia" and "God Save the Pound" (Hurrah!) 'Cause the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. Yes, the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. Yes, the Bullingdon Circus is coming to town. God help us all! They're coming to town. [I'm an American, not well informed about the subtleties of British politics, but I infer that Bullington Circus refers to the Bullingdon Club at Oxford. Boris Johnson and David Cameron were members.] |