I was never a fan of the Carry On films, "Great" British comedy institution though they may be. But there are some blinding Carry On songs...
10.
Babyshambles - Carry on Up the Morning
One of the better post-Libertines Pete Doherty songs. There aren't that many.
9.
Tim McGraw - Carry On
All those people who think modern country music comes with a big wedge of cheese are mostly wrong. In Tim McGraw's case, however...
8.
Half Man Half Biscuit - Carry on Cremating
The song closest to the true spirit of the Carry On movies... at least in Nigel Blackwell's indefatigable Britishness... and his "tribute" to one of the big Carry On stars of olde...
Oh, they’re still cremating Hattie Jacques, I am not surprised
Come on now, let’s face it, she was fat
It usually takes for ever trying to burn the grossly oversized
Who would ever want to look like that?
She had a face that could launch a thousand dredgers
I could never get her on my portable TV
7.
Van Morrison - Carry on Regardless
There's a tiny part of me thinks all post-70s Van Morrison records sound like someone doing a very good impersonation. Of course, I'd never tell Van The Man that... with his reputation!?
(Plus, I think he nicked some guitars from Lady Madonna here. Shh. Let's pretend we didn't notice.)
6.
Portishead - We Carry On
Creepy and disturbing in the way all the best Portishead records are.
5.
Spacehog - Carry On
Leeds band Spacehog had more success in the States than back home. Iffypedia tells me they met in a cafe where one of the band members was working as an exterminator.
4.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Carry On
Timeless. (This is where Fleet Foxes got their mojo.)
3.
Kansas - Carry On, Wayward Son
Pompous prog lyrics saved by a glorious chorus and majestic guitars. Glorious, in its way.
2.
Fun. - Carry On
Is it me, or does Nate Ruess look like a young (Marky) Mark Wahlberg? He writes far better songs though. And has more conviction.
Why do I like Fun. so much? They do exactly what it says on the tin.
1. Beautiful South - Good As Gold (Stupid As Mud)
Yes, my Number One Carry On song doesn't feature the words Carry On in its title. Bite me. They're all over the chorus. One of the Beautiful South's most life-affirming songs, with a video to match in which Heato and the gang go for a bike ride in the countryside... with added elephant.
I want my sun-drenched, wind-swept Ingrid Bergman kiss
Not in the next life
I want it in this
Carry on commenting...
