I am offering a public service here, as I don’t believe that this story has appeared anywhere apart from in the London Evening Standard‘s Diary section, which, even if you live in London, you might have missed, due to the item being about a Liberal Democrat MP. Norman Baker, Member for Lewes, hereby stands accused of being a Shed Seven fan. In a speech he made to the Commons about the environment, Baker appeared to have worked FIVE Shed Seven song titles into the text. (He used to be regional director of Our Price records, so we may assume he knows his music, although this was in the late 70s/early 80s, and he is 50, which is a little old for the Sheds’ glory days. His wife’s maiden name, however, was Sleeper. True.) Here goes:
“The electricity wasted while a TV set is on standby is costing consumers thousands of pounds and damaging the environment. If the truth be told, the Government record on climate change isn’t getting better. On energy efficiency we are still chasing rainbows. Going for gold we are not.”
Here it is again, with titles in bold (and details in brackets):
“The electricity wasted while a TV set is On Standby [number 12, August 1996] is costing consumers thousands of pounds and damaging the environment. If the Truth Be Told [album, number 42, May 2001], the Government record on climate change isn’t Getting Better [number 14, Jan 1996]. On energy efficiency we are still Chasing Rainbows [number 17, November 1996]. Going For Gold [number 8, March 1996] we are not.”
The weird thing is, Baker denies the charge, calling it “entirely coincidental.” Perhaps he’s lying. Perhaps he has a cheeky indie speechwriter. Questions should be asked in the house. Such as: why no mention of a Dolphin [number 28, June 1994] in a speech about the environment? Perhaps more pressingly, why is the Standard reporting the story this week, and calling it a “recent speech”, when a simple internet search reveals the speech to be at least three years old? (I found it quoted on a Norwich Union website from February 2005.)
Never Knowingly Underwhelmed 
It would have been more impressive if he’s managed to work “Devil in your shoes” into the speech. And a wasted opportunity by failing to use “High Hopes” anywhere.And surely 50 isn’t too old to like the Brit Pop musings of “Ver 7” Still, good to see the Evening Standard still has it’s finger on the pulse. I used to buy it just to read the vitriol of Brian Sewell’s columns. Mad as a box of frogs.
It would have been more impressive if he’s managed to work “Devil in your shoes” into the speech. And a wasted opportunity by failing to use “High Hopes” anywhere.And surely 50 isn’t too old to like the Brit Pop musings of “Ver 7” Still, good to see the Evening Standard still has it’s finger on the pulse. I used to buy it just to read the vitriol of Brian Sewell’s columns. Mad as a box of frogs.
She Left Me On Friday would have been bloody hard work to fit in. Had it been Mark Oaten, like…
She Left Me On Friday would have been bloody hard work to fit in. Had it been Mark Oaten, like…
I’d have been more impressed if he’d got the classic “At The Link, it’s easy” in there!
I’d have been more impressed if he’d got the classic “At The Link, it’s easy” in there!
50 now made him 38 or 39 in 1996, the ‘glory days’ of which you speak. So not too old at all; as a 40 something fan of Arctic Monkeys of our acquaintance would perhaps agree ;)I think it’s the result of a researcher/writer bet. I was going to post this comment using Pet Shop Boys song titles but lost the will.Anyway, to more interesting matters – have you got that table fixed yet?
50 now made him 38 or 39 in 1996, the ‘glory days’ of which you speak. So not too old at all; as a 40 something fan of Arctic Monkeys of our acquaintance would perhaps agree ;)I think it’s the result of a researcher/writer bet. I was going to post this comment using Pet Shop Boys song titles but lost the will.Anyway, to more interesting matters – have you got that table fixed yet?
Fair point re: his age, Office Pest. I’m only seven years off 50 myself, as you correctly asserted.The table had to go back, as the manufacturers were in China and the go-between store the table was purchased from were unable to fit a replacement part, even when it had been correctly identified and named. (It had glass in it, this table and I was unprepared to attempt to fix it myself and risk cracking the glass. I wanted them to fix it, and they couldn’t. So back it went.)
Fair point re: his age, Office Pest. I’m only seven years off 50 myself, as you correctly asserted.The table had to go back, as the manufacturers were in China and the go-between store the table was purchased from were unable to fit a replacement part, even when it had been correctly identified and named. (It had glass in it, this table and I was unprepared to attempt to fix it myself and risk cracking the glass. I wanted them to fix it, and they couldn’t. So back it went.)
Jeez – Shed Seven. I forgot all about them. Hang your head in shame, Baker!
Jeez – Shed Seven. I forgot all about them. Hang your head in shame, Baker!
Regardless of the truth of the matter, justice must be seen to be done. Baker must resign immediately.PS: Sorry for kind of having the vague impressions that you were Mark Steel and thus feeling a nebulous sense of contempt when listening to your Collings and Herrin podcast.
Regardless of the truth of the matter, justice must be seen to be done. Baker must resign immediately.PS: Sorry for kind of having the vague impressions that you were Mark Steel and thus feeling a nebulous sense of contempt when listening to your Collings and Herrin podcast.
Next challenge: same thing but with Sigur Ros song titles… Best of luck!
Next challenge: same thing but with Sigur Ros song titles… Best of luck!
All I can say Andrew is that you have met the two people that have found this story more amusing than anyone else!
All I can say Andrew is that you have met the two people that have found this story more amusing than anyone else!
Yes, re: last comment, if you have a very good memory Andrew I think you can work this one out!