The United Kingdom of Song #24: Widnes

Today, we get off the train at Widnes in Cheshire, birthplace of Spice Girl Mel C and screenwriter Alan Bleasdale.

There are two notable songs in my collection which mention the town of Widnes...

Elvis Costello - Watch Your Step

Ev'ry day is full of fun and family spice

They're making heroes out of fall guys

They say it's good for business

From Singapore to Widnes

You better watch your step

Boy, Trust was a great album...

Belle & Sebastian - The Stars of Track & Field

You liberated

A boy I never rated

And now he's throwing discus

For Liverpool and Widnes

...and so is If You're Feeling Sinister, for that matter.

However, neither of these tunes wins the race today, because there is another, far more famous tune written in - and about - the town of Widnes, and we can find evidence of that on the railway station platform as we step off the train (unless it's been nicked again by musos).

That's some claim to fame, only slightly dulled by the fact that Simon himself would later acknowledge: "If you know Widnes, then you'll understand how I was desperately trying to get back to London as quickly as possible."