This famous band with a literary name had a hit inspired by a famous satire of a Shropshire novelist. They also had a hit inspired by an iconic 1960s British movie. Their biggest hit was about a company based in the English Midlands and they have written a theme to a forward looking TV show. Who is the band and what are the songs involved?

gmackematix

Ok Maggie and anyone else who is stuck. The spoofed author is Mary Webb. This band has also written the theme to a well known Channel 4 sitcom of the 1990s. Sep 22 04, 6:41 PM

MaggieG 5

Thanks for the hints, gmack! The group is The Divine Comedy. Their biggest hit was "National Express" - that's a Midlands based coach company, the hit inspired by the iconic 60s movie was "Becoming More Like Alfie", they wrote the theme for "Father Ted" but I'm not sure which of their hits was inspired by Mary Webb. Perhaps someone else can enlighten me? Sep 23 04, 11:32 AM

gmackematix

Yay! If I tell you the book was "Cold Comfort Farm" by Stella Gibbons does that help? They also wrote a theme to "Tomorrow's World" which explains the "forward looking TV show" bit. Sep 23 04, 11:24 PM

MaggieG 5

Well I looked in the Guinness Book of Hit Singles for inspiration hoping to find one called "Something Nasty in the Woodshed" but they haven't released that yet. Can't see any other titles that would fit so it must be in the lyrics, at which point I bow gracefully and retire... Sep 24 04, 9:41 AM

gmackematix

I never did tell you this. The song was actually one of their hits called "Something For The Weekend" but Maggie, you were right about the woodshed references. http://www.lyricsdepot.com/the-divine-comedy/something-for-the-weekend.html May 09 05, 6:14 AM