Nation Of Checkout Girls

Album: Music For The People (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by the television presenter Jeremy Paxman's book The English: A Portrait Of A People.
  • Frontman Tom Clarke told The Sun April 17, 2009 that this is a pro-English song. He explained: "I think too often people whinge about how s--- England is, when it's not. England is one of the best countries in the world with one of the most advanced societies. We've got a National Health Service, which the rest of the world is envious of. I'm massively proud of our country. The song is looking at the changing face of the UK. People fear it. Like America, we now need a return to democracy. We just have two political parties, which are exactly the same. And that's why young people don't vote."

Comments: 1

  • Mike from Matawan, Nj"We've got a National Health Service, which the rest of the world is envious of." Really? I guess if you're Michael Moore or Nancy Pelose-i.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.