Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)

"Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)" is a single by the folk group Fiddler's Dram. The novelty song was released in 1979 and peaked at number 3 at the start of 1980.[1] The song was written by Debbie Cook and recorded by the lead singer of the band, Cathy Lesurf. The single was the group's only chart entry in their career, making them one hit wonders.[2]

"Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)"
UK vinyl single
Single by Fiddler's Dram
from the album Fiddler's Dram
B-side"The Flash Lad"
Released1979
Recorded1979
GenreFolk
Length2:58
Label
Songwriter(s)Debbie Cook
Producer(s)David Foister
Fiddler's Dram singles chronology
"Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)"
(1979)		 "Beercart Lane (Dancing in the Moonlight)"
(1980)
Music video
"Day Trip to Bangor" on YouTube

Controversy

The release was shrouded in controversy after reports that the song was actually inspired by a trip to Rhyl, another town in North Wales. It was rumoured that Bangor was chosen as the lyric due to it having an extra syllable that flowed better with the song. There were rumours of an outcry among local councillors and businesses in Rhyl about the missed opportunity for tourism which would have been generated. Cook stated that the song was specifically written about Bangor.[3]

"Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)" was adapted by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer for their BBC sitcom House of Fools which began in January 2014. The opening scene of each episode sees the duo sing a song to the tune of "Day Trip to Bangor".[4][5] The show ran for two series, ending in March 2015 after thirteen episodes.[6]

The song was also parodied by the comedian Jasper Carrott, with his version renamed "Daytrip to Blackpool". Paul Dakeyne did a mash-up of the song at the Chris Moyles Weekender in Bangor in 2010.[5]

The Barron Knights also did a parody version of the song called “Didn’t we have a lovely time (At the office Christmas party)”.

The song was adapted, with changed lyrics, for a UK commercial for Anchor butter which ran from 1980.

Charts

Chart performance

The single entered the UK Singles Chart at number 26 on 13 December 1979 (week ending) two weeks before Christmas. It rose to number 4 for the following two weeks before reaching its peak of number three on 5 January 1980 (week ending). It spent two further weeks in the top 10, dropping to number 4 and then number 9 a week later. It was in the top 40 for one more week at number 24, and two final weeks in the top 100.[7] It was also a sizeable hit in Australia where it reached number 8 in March 1980.

Weekly charts
Chart (1980) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] 8
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[7] 3

References
  1. Howse, Christopher (22 August 2011). "Old words don't die, they just wait to be rescued". Telegraph Online. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  2. "It may be early March but there's spring in the step of Britain's best seaside village". The Northern Echo. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  3. "Singing star's fond memories of Bangor". Daily Post. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  4. Rampton, James (14 January 2014). "House of Fools: Reeves and Mortimer's big night in". The Independent. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  5. "Lyrical Journey - Day Trip to Bangor". BBC Radio 4 Extra. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  6. Dowell, Ben (25 August 2015). "Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer comedy House of Fools axed by the BBC after two series". Radio Times. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  7. "Day Trip to Bangor - full Official Chart history". Official Chart. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  8. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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