With My Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock

Album: Golden Greats (1937)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The sheet music for "With My Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock" is credited Words and Music by Harry Gifford and Fred Cliffe, copyright Lawrence Wright Music of London, 1964. The seaside town of Blackpool in the North of England has been a holiday attraction since the 18th Century, and has been especially popular with ordinary working people since the 1870s. It is famous for its rock, among other things.
  • George Formby sang this humourous ditty accompanying himself on the ukulele, but harmless though it seems, and although it nowhere comes close to rhyming "rock" with the obvious, the overzealous censor took umbrage to him strolling about the promenade with something small and sticky in his pocket, and in 1937 it was banned from BBC radio shows. It has to be said, this was not the first time Formby fell foul of the censor; previously his record label had ordered "With My Little Ukulele In My Hand" to be rewritten. Unsurprisingly, Formby made a live recording of the song for British Pathe at the Blackpool Winter Gardens accompanied by a pianist; it was actually the B Side of the less well known "Oh Dear, Mother". According to The George Formby Society, he made two recordings January 24, 1937 on Regal Zonophone, and also received a writing credit. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?