My Top 5 Comic Relief Singles #teamhonk #goodwork!
With talk of Comic Reliefand #TeamHonk #goodwork all over the blogging universe, I wanted to write a post in support of Annie, Tanya and Penny and in celebration of my favourite thing to come out of Red Nose Day – the charity single. Way back in 1986, the first Comic Relief single release featured the fabulous collaboration of Cliff Richard and The Young Ones. The character of Ric had an obssession with Cliff Richard so joining him on the single ‘Living Doll’ was comedy gold.
Here are my Top 5 Red Nose Day songs:
5. Tony Christie and Peter Kay – The Way to Amarillo
Despite the fact that this wasn’t officially the Comic Relief single, it was released expressly with the proceeds going to the charity. It was originally performed on the evening of Comic Relief with an hilarious video featuring Geoffrey, Bungle, George and Zippy from Rainbow amongst others, and had Ronnie Corbett famously falling off the travelator. It was released in March 2005 and stayed at number 1 for 7 weeks.
4. Right Said Fred – Stick It Out
One of the lesser known Red Nose Day singles, the video features Clive Anderson, Hugh Laurie, Bernard Cribbens and the late, great Peter Cook. I really like the tune and Right Said Fred perform in their usual tongue-in-cheek way! Released back in February 1993, it got to number 4 in the charts.
3. Bananarama and La Na Nee Nee Noo (aka French and Saunders and Kathy Burke) – Help
Kathy Burke has always been one of those people I just have to look at the expression of and she can make me laugh. The collaboration has to be one of my favourites when it comes to charity singles and, despite the fact that they destroyed one of my favourite songs, they destroyed it in style! It got to number 3 in February 1989.
2. Cliff Richard and The Young Ones – Living Doll
How could I not feature the first Red Nose Day single in my top 5? I remember distinctly the excitement surrounding it when it was released and the kids all over my school going round in groups singing it – together with the boys mimicking Vivien when it came to ‘hippy bashing’ Neil with a plank of wood on the line ‘get down’! It reached number one in April 1986.
1. Hale and Pace – The Stonk
My complete and utter favourite charity single ever! It was produced by, and featured, guitarist Brian May from rock group Queen. Hale and Pace – also known in their guises as Billy and Johnny and the Two Rons – performed this song as a ficticious dance craze. The B side was a song called ‘The Smile Song’, written and performed by Victoria Wood. It got to number 1 in March 1991 and raised £100,000 for Comic Relief. In my reckoning it should be re-released and re-named ‘The Honk’ in honour of our blogging ladies!
What’s your favourite Comic Relief Single?
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Great way to celebrate 25 years of Good Work!
I think so too 🙂
hahaha… got to love a Comic Relief song.
Thanks for your post and all your support
Team Honk loves you
x
No problem whatsoever, it was the least I can do 🙂 x