Roadtrip

If one were to undertake a roadtrip in the USofA one might prepare a CD filled with songs referring to the places listed on one's travel itinerary. For example on the west coast you could listen to "Do You Know The Way to San Jose?" sung by Dionne Warwick, "If You're Going to San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie and "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena" by the Beachboys and so on.

Moving eastwards there'd be "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" by Gene Pitney, "Show Me The Way to Amarillo" by Tony Christie, "Stars Fell on Alabama" by Billie Holliday, "Galveston" by Glenn Campbell, "Georgia on My Mind" sung by Ray Charles, "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra and perhaps "Down by the Banks of the Ohio" made famous by Olivia Newton-John. The overall theme music would naturally be "America" by Simon and Garfunkel.

This CD which will shortly be available from Yorkshire Pudding Enterprises (only £27.99 + pp) will undoubtedly enhance the roadtrip - providing a soundtrack for the strangely familiar passing vistas of The United States. In addition, I am happy to announce that a parallel CD is being prepared for American visitors to Yorkshire. The album will include...

"Do You Know the Way to Cleckheaton?"

"If You're Going To Heckmondwike"

"The Little Old Lady from Pontefract"

"Twenty Four Hours from Filey Brigg"

"Show Me the Way to Wetwang"

"Stars Fell on Thorngumbald"

"Grimethorpe" by Bert Campbell

"Penistone on My Mind"

"York York"

"Down by the Banks of the Humber"

and the theme music would be "Yorkshire (On Ilkley Moor Bah'tat)" by Geoff Boycott and the Dinnington Colliery Brass Band.

How is it that American place names seem to sit happily in song lyrics but put English names in their place and unbridled mirth is created! Do Americans feel the same way I wonder? Do they squirm when they hear a new song about their city or state? And any other suggestions for songs for my Yorkshire roadtrip CD?