Up Pompeii

Album: Up Pompeii (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Up Pompeii was a British TV series featuring the comedian Frankie Howerd (1917-92). Howerd, who was renowned for his deadpan humor, caustic wit and double entendres, played the narrator, a Roman slave named Lurcio (pronouced lurk-ee-o). Other characters in the series had names like Erotica, Ludicrus and Nausius.
  • The British Library holds the sheet music for the theme song from the 1971 film version of Up Pompeii, which was also used for the series. Words and Music were by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley; it was recorded by Howerd on Columbia and published by Coronado Music Ltd and KPM Music Group of London, retailing for 20p.

    The song could have been written by Howerd himself judging by the lyrics: "I nev-er seem to get it Oh Up Pom-peii." The B-side was "Salute," pronounced salut-ay, which was another of Lurcio's double entendres. The great irony is that although he was always making suggestive remarks and comments about nubile young women and telling borderline jokes, both as Lurcio and in his regular stand up comedy routines, Howerd was homosexual. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.