JCB (song)

Infobox Single
Name = JCB


Artist = Nizlopi
from Album = Half These Songs Are About You
Released = 6 June 2005 12 December 2005
Format = CD / enhanced CD
Genre = Folk/Pop
Length = 3:47
Label = FDM Records
Producer = Gavin Monaghan
Producer = Gavin Monaghan
Certification = Gold (BPI)
NoReviews = yes
Last single = "Fine Story" (2005)
This single = "JCB" (2005)
Next single = "Girls" (2006)

"JCB" (or "JCB Song") is the second single from Nizlopi's first album "Half These Songs Are About You". The song is a reminiscence of childhood, based on singer Luke Concannon's own memories; it is sung from the point of view of a young boy, travelling with his father on his JCB digger. The song's website refer to Luke's dyslexia, the resulting bullying and characters, such as B.A. Baracus, Bruce Lee and Transformers, who would protect him against the bullies. The bypass mentioned in the song is probably the A46 as the band lived in Leamington Spa at the time and the A46 is known locally as "The Bypass". The single was originally released in the United Kingdom in June of 2005, when it entered the charts at No. 160.

Following its release, the song gradually achieved a cult following on the Internet and at film festivals, in part due to the award-winning animated video by Laith Bahrani of Monkeehub. Mainstream coverage and airplay followed, and by 19 November, national newspapers were writing about the song's rise, and possible destiny as Christmas number one.

The song entered the UK charts at number one in the week before Christmas, but was pushed into second place in the Christmas charts by X Factor singer Shayne Ward. Both songs continued to hold their positions for the next four weeks.

The standard single features the new B-side "Clear". The enhanced CD has a second new track "Helen", plus the JCB video. The hit record was produced by Gavin Monaghan, also known for his work with Editors, Scott Matthews and The Twang.

References

* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/news/story/0,11711,1646297,00.html Nizlopi tipped for Christmas number one ("Guardian", 19 November 2005)]
* [http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16437748&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=battle-on-for-xmas-no1-slot--name_page.html Battle on for Xmas No.1 spot ("Mirror", 2 December 2005)]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4525112.stm JCB song makes Westlife challenge ("BBC", 13 December 2005)]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/12/19/njcb19.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/12/19/ixnewstop.html Song about a JCB enters chart at No 1 ("Daily Telegraph", 19 December 2005)]

External links

* [http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/ "JCB" website]
* [http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp "JCB" video]