Thursday 19 March 2020

The Self Preservation Society


An absolute classic and quintessentially English film - Michael Caine starring in the 1969 crime caper: The Italian Job

I had a little play around with the lyrics to this song (the link will take you to the correct version) to reflect the times we are currently facing. Make no mistake, these are serious at every level of our society but I am a great believer in the value of humour to bring a sense of perspective to things. I am not talking about laugh out loud stuff, just things to take a little edge off all the seriousness. I hope you enjoy it in the spirit with which is was written.

(With apologies to Quincy Jones)


This is the self-preservation society
This is the self-isolation society

Go wash your hands, but not your boat race too
Leave your Barnet Fair you got a lot to do
Put on your Face Mask and then Sanitise
Cause toilet rolls ‘n stuff are hurrying by

Get your skates on mate, get your skates on mate
No pasta rice or anything else today, eh?
Drop your plates of meat right up on the seat
This is the self-preservation society
This is the self-isolation society

Gotta get some bloomin food on
Babadab-babadabadab-bab-ba
Gotta get some bloomin food on
Babadab-babadabadab-bab-ba
Jump in the jam jar gotta get straight
Hurry up to Tesco’s don’t wanna be late
Check the old’uns?
Tickety boo
Tickety boo
Gotta get some bloomin food on

Self-preservation society
This is the self-isolation society
Put on your headphones and some videos you’ll shoot
Write your lists and say goodbye to the commute
Don’t forget the old’uns living near
Stay alive and get right out of here

So get your skates on mate, get your skates on mate
No walking around for you today, eh?
Drop your plates of meat right up on the seat
This is the self-preservation society
This is the self-isolation society

Stay safe and stay well.

2 comments:

Steve J. said...

I now have that song as an ear worm in my head! Great film and song.

David Crook said...

Hi Steve J,

I always liked the Matt Munro song at the beginning with the Lamborghini driving through the alps.

‘On days like these....’

All the best,

DC