Mary Hopkin (3rd May Birthday)

[john poole]

Mary Hopkin - born 3rd May, 1950 (Pontardawe, Wales)

'Goodbye' (1969 promo film) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKgu8etXXcQ

The songwriter's demo -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Wr2LQ8RTE

http://www.maryhopkin.com/biog.html

[Adam Blake]

I had such a crush on Mary Hopkin when I was eight...

Macca never looks more like Eric Idle's parody of him than in that promo film.

His demo is much better than her record. Oh well, no surprises there.

[AndyM]

Thanks for NOT posting 'Those Were The Days' - one of the most irritating hits ever. Although not as bad as the (contemporaneous?) 'Where Do You Go To My Lovely?'.

[Paul S]

Two potential quiz options arise from this thread so far.
How many similarly 'Gypsy' - tempo/rhythmed (for want of a better term)pop hits can you think of?
let's start with 'Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves.
Secondly, I'm in full agreement about those bloody Sarstedt records. Where Do You Go To contained the most annoying laugh on vinyl. "...for a laugh, aha ha ha"
Nancy Sinatra however, had a great "Ha!" in These Boots Are Made For Walking.

Any notable Ha's or Ha ha's spring to mind?

[AndyM]

Paul, you are *so* right about the Sarstedt laugh !

A 'gypsy' pop record for you (and rather a forgotten gem):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYXX_QeRj-o

And a ha-ha to boot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-eafUBULWA&feature=fvst

[Rob Hall]

Any notable Ha's or Ha ha's spring to mind?

"Ha Ha Said The Clown" by the Manfreds (not one of their best efforts)

[NormanD]

Frankie Laine's "Mule Train" Ha!

[AndyM]

Do you remember an 'eccentric' bloke who used to appear on TV variety shows in the 70s singing Mule Train and bashing himself on the head with a tin tray on every Ha!

Hilarious.

(But he died of a cerebral haemorrhage from all the bashing.)

[NormanD]

Charles Penrose: "The Laughing Policeman"

[Paul S]

Superb entry by Andy with 'Shoes'.
Spot on the target - and a genuine forgotten gem.
Was there ever a better girl group name than Reparata and the Delrons?

...and here's Bob the Tray Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8IbvVTXOIo

[will vine]

ha ha ha he he he I'm The Laughing Gnome...............talking of irritating.

[Willy]

Big Yellow Taxi aha-ha-ha

[AndyM]

Was there ever a better girl group name than Reparata and the Delrons?

Negatory.

Reparata and the anythings would have been good, but add the Delrons and it's unsurpassable.

(Reparata, it is said, took the name from a nun who taught her at convent school, Sister Reparata, which makes it even better.)

[Hugh Weldon]

Lydon's filthy laugh after 'right now' on 'Anarchy In The UK'.

David Bowie's laugh at the beginning of 'Andy Warhol'.

The psychotic laughter with which Alex Harvey punctuates this version of 'Framed', always worth another look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRbfFZnJ ... re=related

Oh, and not forgetting Alma Cogan, the girl with a laugh in her voice...

[Jamie Renton]

Ah ha ha ha
Ay ay oh
Doo bah doo bah doo bah doo bah
Ah ha ha ha
Ah ha ha ha
Ay ay oh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvUDywuxGDY