Around the UK in Song Trivia Quiz

Answer:

The Clash released a double album called 'London Calling' in 1979 and a single of the same name. It was an angry song about the problems of the world, such as nuclear power and global warming, to name just two. The title was taken from the phrase used by the BBC during World War II to open their broadcasts. Fiddler's Dram became one hit wonders with 'Day Trip to Bangor', a tale of a visit to one of the coastal towns of north Wales. The full title includes the words 'Didn't We Have a Lovely Time' and describes a typical day out which could have been at any seaside resort. It did well in the UK Singles Chart, reaching number three, and has been parodied on many occasions.

Abergavenny, a town in Wales, provided Marty Wilde with inspiration for the song, which he part wrote, of that name in 1968. Wilde, real name Reginald Smith, was one of the early group of British singers who emulated the rock and roll stars of the USA in the late 1950s. Liverpool has provided inspiration for many songs, but it's 'Liverpool Lou' by The Scaffold that I've picked for the quiz. Although often thought to be a traditional folk song, it was actually written by the Irishman Dominic Behan, brother of author Brendan Behan. The Scaffold recorded the song in 1974 with Paul McCartney's input - Mike McGear of The Scaffold is his brother.

Simple Minds released 'Belfast Child' on an EP (Extended Play) record in 1989. The melody is a traditional Irish tune called 'She Moved Through the Fair' with singer Jim Kerr and other members of the band providing new lyrics. The band was inspired by the Troubles in Belfast, and the song reached number one in several countries, including the UK. Another Scottish band, The Proclaimers, sang about 'Sunshine on Leith' in 1988 with the song being the title track from their album from the same year. Leith is a port for Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh.

Roger Whittaker was a British singer, born in Kenya, who performed a mix of songs in the folk genre and those with a sentimental content. 'Durham Town (The Leavin')' falls into the latter category as Whittaker, who wrote the song, laments having to leave Durham, located in the northwest of England, now that both his parents have died. 'Scarborough Fair' was one of Simon and Garfunkel's hits, and was their interpretation of an old English folk song. They learned about it from Martin Carthy who played with Steeleye Span, themselves pioneers of merging folk music with electric accompaniments. 'Scarborough Fair' was mixed with 'Canticle', written by Garfunkel, as a counterpoint.

The final two songs are 'Winchester Cathedral', by the New Vaudeville Band, and 'Portsmouth', an instrumental by Mike Oldfield. Winchester is a former capital city of England and does have an impressive cathedral. The song was something of a novelty with elements of music hall, which didn't stop it becoming a hit and reaching the top of the charts in many countries, including the USA, in 1966. Mike Oldfield brought us the extremely successful album 'Tubular Bells' in 1973, with 'Portsmouth' being released as a single in 1976. His arrangement of this jaunty traditional hornpipe, with an association to the naval city of Portsmouth, reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.