Hurry Up Harry

Album: That's Life (1978)
Charted: 10
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Hurry up Harry, we're going down the pub."

    Edifying stuff! This Jimmy Pursey/Dave Parsons composition was released on the Polydor label in October 1978 backed by "No Entry." It was produced by Pursey with Peter Wilson.

    And there it might have ended, but in 2006 - nearly three decades later - it was resurrected as "Hurry Up England - The People's Anthem," which was released as a charity single on the Parlophone label in support of the England football challenge for the World Cup. The song turned out to be a better effort than the team: England won their group but were eliminated by Portugal in the semifinals.

    This new version, like the original, charted at #10 in the UK. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 4

  • Simon Bond from Warrington“Harry” was Harry Tugwell who was married to my partner’s oldest friend and lived in Preston. Sad to say he was killed in a motorcycle accident in Ireland just two weeks ago (early/mid sept 24).
  • Graeme Sham from South YorkshireAndy Moody, the pianist was Pete Wilson, who was Shams producer at the time...I only know this because I work for sham 69
  • Pete from MelbourneI had a version of Hurry up Harry on a mixed tape (long gone) that had a spoken intro of Harry’s mate coming into his room and telling him he’d won on the races ‘straight up’ to which Harry replies ‘you jammy sod’. This was the reason for the Hurry Up.... anyone know where to find this?
  • Andy Moody from HullWho played the keyboard solo in Sham 69's - Hurry Up Harry? It sounds like Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers but appears to be uncredited.
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.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."