:: oceancolourtheme :: song index

A blues driven number often accused of plagiarising a tune by the Rolling Stones

B-Side to Travellers Tune

An instrumental written in it's entirety by Damon

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to The Circle CD2

Simon - "This has strings on it"

A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad, B-side to Free My Name CD2

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to You've Got It Bad CD2

Simon - "Mind your own business"

B-side to Sway (re-issue)

Quite often played as part of the bands live set

B-side to Crazy Lowdown Ways

Opening bars identical to that of "Justine"

Marchin' Already, Live on the Riverboat

Written in the early 1990's a highly sentimental song. The lyrics feature references to Simon (Sonny), Steve (Stevie), Damon (Minnie), Oscar (Harry), ex-A&R at Fontana Records Dave Bates (Davie) & Chris Cradock (Shughie)

Simon - "This song is about the band's optimism well before Riverboat. All of us are mentioned, our manager Chris Cradock gets a nod and the middle eight was meant for Paul"

B-Side to Free My Name

Reggae influenced track that nearly made the cut for the album

Remains one of Steve's favourite songs

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to The Riverboat Song

Simon - "Another Fanatics song. I wrote this whilst buying a bottle of milk when I was a journalist. It's a great life if you don't weaken"

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to The Circle CD2

"The oldest song here (on the B-sides album): Damon, Oscar & I used to play this in The Fanatics at the Barrel Organ, Digbeth wearing ties"

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to The Day We Caught The Train

Instrumental featuring Weller on organ and ska legend Rico Rodriguez on trombone.

Simon - "This is Steve, Oscar & Damon with Rico and Paul Weller. Rock on"

B-side to Crazy Lowdown Ways

Played live a few times during the bands early 2002 UK dates. Was a toss-up between this and CLW as to which would get A-side status.

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to The Circle

The "Bobby" in the song refers to Simon's partner, Robert.

Simon - "I wrote this over something Oscar recorded and was thinking of the City Slicker's 'Johnnie Too Bad' for the middle. Recorded in the fun-smoking LA with the fun loving Mrs Jones.

Songs for the Front Row

One off single and the bands last on Island Records. Has now become a live favourite. Simon - "Our latest single, with a great B-side (Come Home), and a homage to the music hall style that we love far too much. Remember, treat your body as a temple.... I would"

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to The Circle CD2

Originally a song from The Beatles written by Lennon & McCartney. This soon became one of the bands most popular live pieces and more often that not completed many a set. The version on record features the Gallagher brother, Noel on guitar and Liam on vocals.

Simon - " 'No - I'm the walrus... You're the fool on the hill... You're Eleanor Rigby... Well you're the Yellow Submarine... That's not even funny... Yes it is.... No it's not... yes it is... no it's not' Yes it was our kid"

Debris Road represents the road in which the 'Moseley Shoals' studios are located.

"This is for anyone who's in a band out there. Keep on staying up all night, talking shite, singing songs 'till daylight."

A cover of the song originally by Syreeta Wright and Stevie Wonder

B-side to Giving It All Away

Effect-strewn instrumental written entirely by Oscar, who also plays all instruments on it

A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad

One of Oscar's favourite songs

One of the Mechanical Wonder demos, this song was never actually published though we were once treated to a sample of it thanks to a Dotmusic.com tour of the studio.

One of the first songs to emerge from the OFTM recordings - Emily Chambers is Simon's pseudonym.

A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad

Previously called "I, Me, Me, Me"

Simon's least favourite song on the album

B-side to It's A Beautiful Thing

Simon "It’s about anyone who puts themselves on a pedestal so high up that they’re getting thin on air. The expensive chair is like the Queen’s throne, you know. "

B-side to Hundred Mile High City

An instrumental remix of the A-side. The band did a video to this which featured them driving minis.

Simon ""I wrote this song after watching a few marriage split-ups of people I know. But it's sort of an affirmation really - I think at the end of the day, people are held together by the love in a family. So it's a positive song really."

One of Oscar's favourite songs

B-side to Profit In Peace

A Brendan Lynch remix of I Am The News - this is quite frankly awful.

B-side to Yesterday Today

B-side to Giving It All Away

North Atlantic Drift

Simon: ‘Still working this one out, you will be singing the chorus mind’

Steve: ‘Great track, great harmonies’

Marchin' Already, Live on the Riverboat

A thank-you to Paul Weller and a swipe at the Press.

A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad

First Single from the New Album

B-side to Mechanical Wonder

One of Steve's favourites from the MW sessions

Often played towards the end of a live set

This is one of those 'must-hear' OCS tracks and the favourite of many

Simon - "The words evoke a very happy childhood spent on Sandbanks beach. Although not a single, the song became a live favourite"

B-side to It's A Beautiful Thing

North Atlantic Drift

Was in the running as the title of the album. Noel Gallagher said after hearing this Song “I wish I’d ****ing written that.”
Third Single release from the Album.

Simon: ‘Looking forward to the rest of your life with the love of your life’

Steve: ‘One of the first songs we recorded and I think my favourite on the album’

B-sides to Hundred Mile High City

Was part of the demo tape rejected by Dave Bates at Fontana way back in 1993. An excellent song.

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to You've Got It Bad CD2

Simon - "Recorded during a top session with John River in Leamington. Our hearts go out to Rico, Marco and Constantine. Thanks for the coat"

Featured backing vocals from Alison Moyet!

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to You've Got It Bad, Songs for the Front Row

Featured on a special Childline Album, Trombone played by Ska legend Rico Rodriquez

Simon (from BSF) - "There is a real Shirley, whose teeth are made of gold, who has eight kids, and who danced down at Moseley Shoals. Another wonderful night. Check the trombone too"

Simon (from SFTFR) - "From our B-sides album this is a beautiful tune with biographical lyrics. It also features a great trombone break from Rico"

One of the bands most famous tunes, 'Hundred Mile High City' was born at a concert at the Garden Hall, Tokyo in December 1996. During Steve Cradock's normal sound check, the 'Hundred Mile High City' riff emerged and instantly caught the attention of Simon Fowler and band manager Chris Cradock, who were standing at the front of the stage. A live set is never without it. The distinctive riff helped make this the most successful OCS single ever.

Was used on the soundtrack for hit UK film "Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels"

Simon - "Our most exciting single and the songs we usually kick off a show with. In the video I got to drive a Citroen DS and stand on a Ready Steady Go podium, which is nice"

An awful version featured on the album but this was reworked by the band before release as a single. The riff was written by Steve Cradock and Damon Minchella in early 1997, with Simon Fowler adding his lyrics about 18 months later. The song is a clear attack at the media, undoubtedly fuelled by Simon Fowler's experiences as a journalist. The tabla is played by Steve White.

North Atlantic Drift

This was originally going to be called ‘New one in A’, then it changed to ‘I get too Much’ before settling on the current title.
First Single released from North Atlantic Drift.

Simon: ‘Written over a cracking backing track, the song is about the shadowy fears that go through your head when its on the pillow’

Steve: ‘This started out with a drum loop from Aretha’s Rock Steady, and I tried to do a bluesy ‘White Stripes’ guitar part and it changed into this.’

A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad, One for the Road

B-side to The Day We Caught The Train

B-side to Make the Deal

B-side to I Just Need Myself CD2

Originally by Richard and Linda Thompson

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, Live on the Riverboat, B-side to You've Got It Bad

Simon - "I wrote this after seeing a TV show about kids in Thailand being sold for the night to fat Western businessmen to pay for their parents heroin. Almost every record company in Britain rejected this song"

B-side to Mechanical Wonder

Piano played by Oscar Harrison.

B-side to Profit In Peace

Simon's favourite tune from MW. Written during his long walks through the hills.

Cello is played by Tony Hinnegan.

Features PP Arnold in duel vocals with Simon. Another of those tunes rejected by Fontana.

Simon - "The record featured PP Arnold and the video hideous fur coats. From now on I'll be hitting the top notes on my own"

Moseley Shoals, Live on the Riverboat

One from the Modern, B-side to So Low CD2

A live version on VH1 featured as B-side to So Low CD2.

Originally written in 1993, Steve Cradock not only plays lead guitar, but also bass guitar and the drums and was duly reworked from this weak album version before release. Was a double A-side with I Am The News.

Also featured as the theme tune to spin-off series "Lock, Stock..." & more recently Nationwide Football on ITV.

Simon - "The oldest song on the album (SFTFR), written before 'Train'. It was coupled with 'News' and chosen as the theme for a TV show about a bunch of cockneys"

B-side to July/I Am The News

Instrumental remix of July by Brendan Lynch (Lynch Mob Productions)

Originally a track on the bands eponymous debut album a different version of this was later to resurface as B-side to The Day We Caught The Train CD2. This is beautiful.

Moseley Shoals, Live on the Riverboat

B-side to Sway (original release)

B-side to Free My Name CD2

B-side to It's A Beautiful Thing, Live on the Riverboat

B-Side to I Just Need Myself

Simon - "I wrote this walking the dog on the Grand Union Canal and it yearns for a time before the roar of the M40. It is not about machinery in the making of music & I hope it will be sung in pubs in 20 years time"

B-side to You've Got It Bad CD2

B-side to Sway (re-issue), B-side to You've Got It Bad (demo version 7")

Two versions were used as B-sides on two separate records with the latter featuring legendary producer Jimmy Miller on drums.

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, Live on the Riverboat, B-side to The Circle

Simon - "The song is about four years old (comment from 1997), very sad and very beautiful. Steve and I recorded it at a 'no smoking facility' in LA"

A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad

Oscar is on lead vocals, this is a cover of a song by Bob Andy (Reggae Legend A.K.A Keith Anderson).

Originally known as 'Southern Man, Northern Soul' this song features Weller on backing vocals.

B-side to Yesterday Today

This extended version of 'Reprise' is the only song to feature Simon on lead guitar.

North Atlantic Drift, Live on the Riverboat

This was first played to the fans, on Simon and Oscar’s acoustic tour of late 2002

Steve: ‘I had the idea of N.A.D, when I did the video to ‘Written in the Stars’ with Paul (Weller). Told Simon and the next day he phoned me pissed, and read me the lyrics, which I think are one of the best he has done’

North Atlantic Drift

Simon: ‘A Song about paying your dues and nearly getting away with it. A Favourite.’

Steve: ‘It is a great title. Started as an acoustic song, ended up as heavy as we could make it. There is a great sounding autoharp in the third verse and outro’

B-side to Better Day

North Atlantic Drift

Simon: ‘A story song about a madman on the run’

Steve: ‘A stripped down sound, a brass section and Chuck Berry in mind’

B-side to Travellers Tune

An upbeat cover version of this Neil Young classic

Moseley Shoals, Live on the Riverboat

Previously known as "Get Up & Dance" this is the one song the band all agree they should have had released as a single. Paul Weller appears on the Moseley Version doing Piano and Backing Vocals.

Simon - "When a fan of ours died in a car crash abroad his sister asked if the lyrics could appear on his headstone. It shocked us to realise how much our music now meant to people"

B-side to Sway (original release)

Was set to be released as single but was set dead in its tracks when the band split from Fontana - a number of pressings were made making this a very collectable item.

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, A-side of The Circle CD2

This is an acoustic version of the classic single

Simon - "This is how I wrote The Circle, in a cold flat in Moseley & my favourite version"

B-side to Do Yourself A Favour

B-side to Make the Deal

Was in the running to be included on North Atlantic Drift, the band deciding on She's Been Writing instead as the slow track on the album.

One from the Modern, Live on the Riverboat

Was adopted as an anthem by UNICEF, The promotional video was shot in Tokyo and the historical town of Kamakura while the band were in Japan for the 'Fuji Rock Festival'.

Simon - "The title comes from Oscar's lexicon of homespun truths, the rest was written as an eye witness account of the news of the day and today and tomorrow"

B-Side to I Just Need Myself CD2

Written around the same time as The Circle, performed on the Acoustic Tour but left off the L.O.T.R CD, Lyrics changed to Bertie Vogts/Quaker Oats in the last verse on the Scottish Acoustic Tour.

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, Live on the Riverboat, B-side to You've Got It Bad

A live version from the Royal Albert hall in 1997 appeared on Songs for the Front Row

Simon (BSF) - "This is about a night and morning I spent with Steve and the sort your mother wouldn't abide. Say no more"

Simon (SFTFR) - "A song born from a night of space navigation, this seems to be one of your favourites at our shows... thanks for the singing. In memory of Mark”

Was talked about as a single but never got a chance as the band progressed with the 'best of' album

Simon - "I wrote it on the Grand Canal, it's about the narrow boats"

North Atlantic Drift, Live on the Riverboat

This was First performed on the Acoustic Tour of 2002

Simon: ‘Another story, about a wife escaping violence’

Steve: ‘Folk Music’

North Atlantic Drift

Apparently, Simon’s Favourite song on the album

Simon: ‘This story is about Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny - written after reading a crushing biography called “No more sad refrains”.

Steve: ‘Si wrote this for Sandy Denny, and its got her mate singing on it.’

One from the Modern, Live on the Riverboat

Simon once performed this solo on "This Morning"

Simon - "One of many drinking songs, So Low is again a flag flier for strength in numbers"

B-side to The Riverboat Song

Oscar's favourite from MW.

Simon - "I wrote it with Marianne Faithful in mind"

B-side to Traveller Tune

The title of this song was amended for use as the name of the best of album - Songs For The Front Row

One from the Modern, Live on the Riverboat

A live version on VH1 featured as B-side to So Low CD2 and UB40's Brian Travers contributed saxophone to the album cut.
The very first of the new material to appear from OFTM - BBC Wales viewers were first treated to an outstanding version on the short-lived "Damon Rochefort Tonight"The very first of the new material to appear from OFTM - BBC Wales viewers were first treated to an outstanding version on the short-lived "Damon Rochefort Tonight"

The last song to be written for the album, does not feature on the European version. The album version features Damon on each and every instrument. Was played live on each of the early 2002 UK dates with Oscar taking to the front of the stage with his bongos.

B-side to Make the Deal CD2

A Much hyped song originally completed in 2000, finally making an appearance as a B-side on Make the Deal.

B-side to Do Yourself A Favour

B-side to Up On The Downside

B-side to Better Day

Moseley Shoals, Live on the Riverboat

Features Weller who later did his own version

Simon - "I think of this as one of my best songs and is written in response to the strength found from being in a band. A nice moment for me was hearing Paul Weller's recording"

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to The Day We Caught The Train, Live on the Riverboat,

Was played live once and once only as the acoustic gig at Manchester University, June 2001

Simon - "Written during a real down period whilst living in King's Heath, Birmingham. I dedicate this one to Ruprai wines and Mr Booze"

Moseley Shoals, Live on the Riverboat

One of the most famous OCS songs ever and an ever-present at gigs

Simon - "I wrote this song in Steve's flat in Moseley the same afternoon as 'One For The Road'. I think it was '93. One of our best singles and a live anthem.... Oh Oh la la!"

B-side to Hundred Mile High City

The most famous of their songs - used as a walk-on theme in Chris Evan's "TFI Friday" Paul Weller plays Organ

Simon - "Our first hit thanks to a memorable riff and Chris Evans. A live favourite but almost impossible to dance to"

B-side to Do Yourself A Favour

North Atlantic Drift

Simon: ‘Written down instantly after singing it off the top of my head. The Neil Young nod is courtesy of our producer, Max’

Steve: ‘An Epilogue, the middle bit reminds me of the Small Faces’

An epic featuring Steve on the Royal Albert Hall organ. A 7" pressing was made as part of a OFTM singles boxset - only 500 were made.

B-side to Up On The Downside

The same version was also used as a b-side to Giving It All Away

A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad, One for the Road

B-side to July/I Am The News CD2

A studio version was never recorded and this was played but three times during the Stirling Castle gigs of August 1998. The band discarded it claiming they "sounded like Status Quo" - it's popularity with the fans, however, prompted it's inclusion as a b-side.

B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides, B-side to The Circle

Simon - "Steve loves this one but I think I was singing with my head in the clouds to reach the high notes"

Marchin' Already, Live on the Riverboat, B-side to The Day We Caught The Train