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: 3

  • 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

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

N.W.A vs. the World

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.

U2

U2Fact or Fiction

How did The Edge get his name? Did they name a song after a Tolkien book? And who is "Angel of Harlem" about?

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."

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Janet Jackson

Janet JacksonFact or Fiction

Was Janet secretly married at 18? Did she gain 60 pounds for a movie role that went to Mariah Carey? See what you know about Ms. Jackson.