Let us take you back to 1981.
Back indeed to the fourth and final Swap Shop Star Awards, here's
what's happened so far...
...Many Erics have been handed to their winners. In fact, as we join
the awards, Sebastian Coe has just received the top sports star award from
B.A. Robertson. As they take their seats, Noel prepares to introduce the
musical interlude for this year.
What was about to happen was the first appearance of the most unlikely pop
group to go on to have a top 15 hit record ever - who else but Brown
Sauce!
The clip we have here comes from the complete recording of the show we have
in our archive. It starts with Noel's introduction, and includes Keith and
Maggie's 'Acceptance' speech at the end!
Below you can find the video clip, some stills from the video, some background information about Brown
Sauce and of course the lyrics to the song itself (along with the changes
made at recording and some other bits and pieces).
Stills
Brown Sauce Background Information
Each of the Star Awards had featured a musical interlude provided by the
stars of the show. The first year Keith sang a song, the second Keith and
Maggie sang a duet and for the third Keith sang with a backing group formed
of Noel, John, Maggie and Delia Smith.
For the fourth show, something different was planned. Noel wrote some words
and B.A. Robertson wrote some music and the song I Want to Win an Award
was born. The music itself was played by session musicians (breaking the
rumour at the time that Noel actually played the drums himself!) and Keith
and Maggie sang the song.
The video was shot with Keith 'playing' lead Guitar, Maggie on Bass and Noel
thrashing about in the background on the drums (and having a go at the
synthesiser too!)
Following huge demand from Swap Shop viewers, the song was release on a BBC
Record along with the long version of the series 6 theme (Hello, Hello)
also written by B.A. Robertson - although by this time it was called I
Wanna Be a Winner.
After 'bubbling under' on the chart, the record entered at 25, rising to 20,
then dropping back to 22 before a final surge lead it to its highest chart
position of 15. The group's video was even shown on Top of the Pops.
A slightly different version of the video also existed without the visual
references to the people being named in the song.
Despite much talk, the Brown Sauce follow up single never appeared, however
Keith and Maggie got together as The Saucers and with the help of
B.A. Robertson issued a single called Spring has Sprung. The single
was performed on the very last edition of Swap Shop, but alas didn't bother
the pop charts!
One last thing, the name of the band came about as Brown Sauce just happened
to be one of Noel's favourites - especially with steak and chips!
I Wanna Be A Winner Lyrics
Please note, these are the lyrics to the song as originally published.
Changes to the lyrics that were recorded, and other spellings, are noted
below.
Don't wanna dance like Fred Astaire,
Be like a Superman through the air;
Don't wanna join Claire Francis in the riggings,
Pot the black with Hurricane Higgins.
Don't wanna ride like Willie Carson,
Be a Bishop or an important Parson;
Don't wanna hit Geoff Boycott for four,
Knock Mohammed Ali on the floor.
(I just wanna be a winner)
Just a little Oscar please,
(I just wanna be a winner)
or a box of CBEs,
(I just wanna be a winner)
I wouldn't mind if it was Nobel,
(I just wanna be a winner)
Even Eric would serve me well.
See one, feel one, touch one,
See one, feel one, touch one,
See one, feel one, win an award.
Who'd want to rule like President Reagan,
Or kick a ball like Kevin Keegan.
Don't wanna sit Barbra Woodhouse does that.
I'd like to see her try it with the Blue Peter cat.
Penny Keith don't need me at the Manor,
I've no desire to marry Diana;
Don't even want to paint like Van Gogh,
Go nationwide with Frank Bough.
(I just wanna be a winner)
Just a little Oscar please,
(I just wanna be a winner)
or a box of CBEs,
(I just wanna be a winner)
I wouldn't mind if it was Nobel,
(I just wanna be a winner)
Even Eric would serve me well.
See one, feel one, touch one,
See one, feel one, touch one,
See one, feel one, win an award.
(I just wanna be a winner)
Just a little Oscar please,
(I just wanna be a winner)
or a box of CBEs,
(I just wanna be a winner)
I wouldn't mind if it was Nobel,
(I just wanna be a winner)
Even Eric would serve me well.
See one, feel one, touch one,
See one, feel one, touch one,
See one, feel one, win an award.
Changes as Recorded and Other Spellings
The first change is quite obvious, the CBEs become OBEs (OBEs
seems to scan a lot better!)
The second is easily missed... The line 'I'd like to see her try it with the
Blue Peter cat' becomes 'I'd like to see her try it with a Blue Peter
cat'
As we are talking of abnomalies... A couple of curious spellings also slip
in to the lyrics, Mohammed Ali (Muhammed Ali) and Barbra Woodhouse
(Barbara Woodhouse)
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