Saint Etienne are an English band from London, formed in 1990. The band consists of Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs. The name of the band comes from the French football club of AS Saint-Étienne.
The Recoup describes this song as one of the saddest, most melancholy tunes of the 'naughties'. Taken from their 2005 album Tales from Turnpike House contained a song that will bring tears to your eyes –especially if you are of a certain age, An immensely British song...
Subbuteo appears in the form of an 81-82 catalogue, that Johnny will win on eBay, and never read. Can things possibly get more sad and melancholy than that... ?
Lyrics
Amy checks the shopping list
Pedal bin, washing up rack, Santex
She goes to the bakers to buy a loaf
Ah, she keeps forgetting it's... changed into the Tropicana Tanning Salon
And in the charity shop
Mrs Brown sits at the counter pricing down some old stock
The Moon's A Balloon, two copies of Every Loser Wins, Noel's Blobbyland Deluxe Edition
There's not much left on the doorstep recently
"Something to do with eBay", Johnny reckons
He's bidding on it now for a Subbuteo catalogue '81-'82
He'll win it, put it in a draw, and forget he ever bought it
Holding on to something
And not knowing exactly what you're waiting for
Teenage winter's coming down
Teenage winter throws a gown
Over every place I've been
And every little dream
Forever
The phone rings in Gary's flat:
"Can I speak to Mr G. Staid, please?"
He hangs up and takes Tony the milk
"See you in the Hat And Fan at seven"
Gary can't believe the Claremont Road pitch is going to be covered in executive housing
He talks about the Newcastle game, Boncho's debut
But Tony can hardly hear him
They took the jukebox out, and the Aussie bar staff are playing the Red Hot Chili Peppers
He tells them what he thinks
He manages to keep it clean
Buys another round
Holding on to something
And not knowing exactly what you're waiting for
Teenage winter's coming down
Teenage winter throws a gown
Over every place I've been
And every little dream
Forever
Repeat chorus x 3
Mums with pushchairs outside Sainsburys
Tears in their eyes
They'll never buy a Gibb Brothers record again
Their old 45s gathering dust
The birthday cards they couldn't face throwing away
Teenage winter coming down
Teenage winter coming down
Subbuteo catalogue 1981/82...
Does not actually exist!
Subbuteo produced 'year1/year2' catalogues with until 1975/76, but then went to single years from 1977.
This pic shows the 1981 catalogue, a gem by all accounts.
"This lovely catalogue was possibly the peak of Subbuteo production (or excess). Hockey and Sport Billy had full write-ups. Full rugby and cricket accessory and team lists were still included." (from Peter Upton's Subbuteo Tribute Website)
Check out the inside pages here and here...
Also, check out Johnny and Sam bringing the 'Subbuteo Catelogue' verse to life! 😅
There's not much left on the doorstep recently.
"Something to do with eBay", Johnny reckons.
He's bidding on it now for a Subbuteo catalogue '81-'82.
He'll win it, put it in a draw, and forget he ever bought it.
...and the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress goes to.... Sam! 😎
