Food, Glorious Food
Songfacts®:
- This is the one of the more memorable songs from the award winning musical Oliver!, which was written in its entirety by the London-born composer Lionel Bart (1930-99). The show is an adaptation of the famous Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist; it opened in the West End in 1960, and on the big screen (directed by Carol Reed) in 1968.
"Food, Glorious Food" is the opening number, and is based on the famous scene in the book where a half-starved Oliver Twist has the temerity to ask for more gruel. Sung as a chorus, it is an obviously whimsical homage to fine cuisine, something that was just as obviously in short supply for workhouse boys in Victorian England. - The title has become a cliché, and the song lends itself readily to parody; it has for example been hijacked to advertise McCain French fries as "Chips, Glorious Chips." >>Suggestion credit:
Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
Comments
Be the first to comment...More Songfacts:
Time After TimeCyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper came up with the title "Time After Time" when she saw it in TV Guide magazine. It's the name of a 1979 movie about a man who invents a time machine.
Paper PlanesM.I.A.
"Paper Planes" was inspired by M.I.A.'s hassles trying to get a visa to enter America.
Walk On The Wild SideLou Reed
Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side" tells the story of real people who were part of Andy Warhol's "factory," including Holly Woodlawn and Candy Darling.
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On MeElton John
Recording "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," Elton John was frustrated and sang the line "don't discard me" with an exaggerated American accent, which is why is sounds strange.
I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)Meat Loaf
Running 7:58, Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" is the longest-ever #1 hit.
Lifestyles Of The Rich And FamousGood Charlotte
The first Good Charlotte hit, "Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous," is a send-up of celebrity culture, but the group's leaders, Joel and Benji Madden, both married celebrities: Nicole Richie and Cameron Diaz, respectively.
Editor's Picks
Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews
Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.
Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song
Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.
Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews
When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.
Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz
Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?
Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews
He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."
80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing
Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.