Margate (song)
"Margate" is a song from the album Job Lot by Chas & Dave. It was released as a single on 11 July 1982 and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 67. The song stayed in the charts for 4 weeks and peaked at number 46 on 24 July 1982.
| "Margate" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Chas & Dave | ||||
| from the album Job Lot | ||||
| Released | 11 July 1982 | |||
| Genre | Rockney, Novelty | |||
| Length | 2:23 | |||
| Label | Rockney | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Chas & Dave | |||
| Chas & Dave singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Composition
As depicted in the accompanying video, the song is about a coach trip to the traditional seaside attractions of Margate in Kent. Unusually, the verse and chorus are in different keys (D major and G major respectively).
The song was used in a series of adverts for Courage Best Bitter, however, unlike other Chas & Dave songs also used for other Courage adverts, the song was written specifically for the advert first. The advertising agency requested that Chas & Dave write a song for their adverts using the tune from the chorus of their song "Massage Parlour", but with lyrics about a trip to Margate. The advert proved popular, and Chas & Dave then wrote the full lyrics for the song, recorded and released it as a single.[1]
B-side
In a contrasting style the B-side Give it Gavotte is an instrumental, based on the Gavotte folk dance style from France.
In other media
The song appears in the 1989 Only Fools & Horses episode "The Jolly Boys' Outing" (about a day trip to Margate) with minor lyric changes from the single version and the voices of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst added.
Charts
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[2] | 46 |
See also
References
- Hodges, Chas (October 2009). "Chapter 24: No Pleasin' You". Chas and Dave: All About Us. ISBN 9781857828269.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.