Waiting for Bonaparte is the third studio album by The Men They Couldn't Hang. It was recorded at Woodcray Studios in Berkshire and was released in 1988. It is the first album to feature Ricky McGuire (ex UK Subs) on bass guitar. The album again features songs written about British culture and history. The only single on the album to feature a promotional video was The Colours. The video was given a Les Miserables style theme due to its historical lyrical content and features writer Paul Simmonds in drag playing the part of a woman of ill repute.[1] The song itself, however was banned by the BBC due to the line, "You've come here to watch me hang!", which echoed the events happening in South African townships at the time, in particular the plight of the Sharpeville Six.[2] The song told the story of the 1797 Nore mutiny and the execution of Richard Parker for his role in the mutiny.[3] Despite the ban it still managed to reach number 61 in the UK singles chart.[4] The Crest is the only single to have an extended remixed version. This was less successful only reachin number 94 in the UK singles chart.[5] Initial vinyl LP copies were a limited edition which came with a song book of lyrics and guitar tabs as well as a poster.[6]

Waiting for Bonaparte
Studio album by
Released1988
RecordedWoodcray Manor Studios, Berkshire
GenreRoots rock, Folk-rock, Folk-punk
Length55:00
LabelWEA
ProducerMick Glossop, Ben Kape
The Men They Couldn't Hang chronology
How Green Is The Valley
(1986)
Waiting for Bonaparte
(1988)
Silver Town
(1989)
Singles from Waiting for Bonaparte
  1. "The Crest"
    Released: 1988
  2. "Island in the Rain"
    Released: 1988
  3. "The Colours"
    Released: 1988

Personnel

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The Men They Couldn't Hang[7]
Additional musicians
Producer and engineer

Track listing

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Original Side 1
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."The Crest"Paul SimmondsCush, Swill4:05
2."Smugglers"TraditionalSwill, Cush4:28
3."Dover Lights"Paul SimmondsCush, Swill3:40
4."Bounty Hunter"Paul SimmondsCush3:36
5."Island in the Rain"Paul SimmondsSwill, Cush4:26
Original Side 2
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
6."The Colours"Paul SimmondsCush, Swill3:51
7."Midnight Train"Paul SimmondsCush, Swill3:08
8."Father's Wrong"Philip OdgersSwill4:32
9."Life of a Small Fry"Stefan CushCush3:39
10."Mary's Present"Philip OdgersSwill3:02
Additional Tracks on cassette and CD version
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
11."Silver Dagger"TraditionalCush, Swill3:40
12."Restless Highway"Paul SimmondsSwill, Cush3:28
13."Country Song"Philip OdgersCush, Swill3:46
14."The Crest (extended re-mix)"Paul SimmondsCush, Swill12:01

References

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  1. ^ A Bag of Songs, Paul Simmonds,ISBN 9781447537274
  2. ^ "The Colours (The Men They Couldn't Hang) – Jon Kutner". Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  3. ^ "The Colours by The Men They Couldn't Hang". Age of Revolution. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  4. ^ "the colours | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  5. ^ "the crest | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  6. ^ The Men They Couldn't Hang - Waiting For Bonaparte, retrieved 25 February 2022
  7. ^ "Waiting for Bonaparte - the Men They Couldn't Hang | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.