Luton Airport

Album: released as a single (1979)
Charted: 22
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Songfacts®:

  • The purpose of an advertisement - newspaper or otherwise - is to market a product, but occasionally the advertisement comes first and the product later. Such was the case with the song "Luton Airport," which is ostensibly narrated by a dyed-in-the-wool East End girl. Lorraine Chase was born in South London in 1951; although a true Cockney must be born within the sound of Bow Bells, Deptford is near enough, certainly for an aspiring actress.

    Her big break came in 1977 when the then fashion model was cast as a stunning but none-too-bright young thing in a series of advertisements for Campari. In one of these, her obviously wealthy companion asks her "Were you truly wafted here from Paradise?" to which she replies "No, Lu'on Airpor.'"

    This quickly became a cultural reference, and in 1979, Paul Curtis and record producer John Worseley, came up with "Luton Airport" while holidaying in Majorca with their families. On their return they are said to have approached Chase with the idea of recording it; she declined, although she did record another song which was inspired by another advert in the same series. This flopped - fortunately!

    Backed by "Sail Away," "Luton Airport" was released on the WEA label by one hit wonders Cats UK; it reached #22 in the UK Singles Chart that October. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

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