Les Blogs de Belsize

 Day 23 - The Old Bohemian (Indie Disco King) The Old Bohemian (Indie Disco King) - play song on Bandcamp   The original lyrics to the popular carol 'Good King Wenceslas'  were written in 1853 by John Mason Neale, who adapted the story for the Christmas season.  The music, however, is much older and comes from a 13th-century Finnish tune called 'Tempus adest floridum',  based on the real-life Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (c. 907–935 AD). The idea that King Wenceslas was a Bohemian really fascinated me. My idea of a Bohemian was steeped in Jack Kerouac, Jean-Luc Godard and Lloyd Cole! I decided to re-write the lyrics (to an original tune) imagining Wenceslas as an indie-kid, with dufflecoat and an armful of vinyl from Sarah Records purchased from HMV, making his way on the Northern Line up to a gig at the Camden Monarch in the snow. 'The Old Bohemian (Indie Disco King)' by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize Written, recorded, performed, produced by Les Bicyclettes...

 Day 22 - Under the Mistletoe Under the Mistletoe - play song on Bandcamp   A simple song relaying the activities of so many parents (especially when I was growing up) of sneaking into children's bedrooms on Christmas Eve and filling stockings, sacks and (in my case) pillow cases full of presents. A quick peck on the cheek between husband and wife, mother and father, then up the stairs to perform the role of Santa. 'Under the Mistletoe' by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize Written, recorded, performed, produced by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize (c) Richard Longley 2025 lyrics From under the mistletoe What secrets do you keep Nobody else will know A stolen kiss before you creep Into the bedroom when the lights go out Hiding presents into pillowcases Turning inside out From under the mistletoe What secrets have you got Nobody else will know Be sure that you’re not caught Into the bedroom when the lights go out Hiding presents into pillowcases Turning inside out Into the bedroom when the...

 Day 21 - Music On Christmas Morning Music On Christmas Morning - play song on Bandcamp   Text (c) Anne Brontë, first published in 1846 under her pen name Acton Bell in the collection Poems by the Brontë sisters. (*the author died at least 100 years ago - 28 May 1849) Another instrumental idea I'd had for a Christmas track but lacked any inspiration for lyrics until I found Anne  Brontë's wonderful poem. The piece celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is written in a traditional hymn style, characterised by its simplicity and sincerity. The poem begins with the narrator expressing a love of music, and how it has the power to soothe  grief and pain. They then describe the special music that is heard on Christmas morning, which they say has the power to awaken them from their sleep and call them to worship.   A lovely idea which struck a chord and I edited the text to fit my music and my own beliefs. 'Every Christmas Eve' by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize Written, ...

 Day 20 - Every Christmas Eve Every Christmas Eve - play song on Bandcamp   I think the lyrics for this song say it all, for me anyway. So very personal, following a loss.   'Every Christmas Eve' by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize Written, recorded, performed, produced by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize (c) Richard Longley 2025 lyrics Every Christmas Eve I’ll take you by the hand, we’ll light a candle For your love Every Christmas Day We’ll hide away in secret, think about you And your love Every year I know it’s getting harder Every year I know I miss you more Every Christmas night I’ll make a promise that I won’t forget you Or your love Turning out the lights I’ll hide away my feelings, won’t regret them Or my love Every year I know it’s getting harder Every year I know I miss you more And you know This is when the days are darkest I can’t let go This is when the days aren’t good enough for you Every year I know it’s getting harder Every year I know I miss you more

 Day 19 - Christmas Card 1983 Christmas Card 1983 - play song on Bandcamp   Another lyrical return for 'Johnny Handsome' as he falls from his sleigh, to be tended by 'Jenny' this time ('Jenny' and 'Johnny' being just two of the most adopted names for boys and girls in popular music!). I've also referenced again Cary Grant, 'The Bishop's Wife' and 'It's A Wonderful Life' proving once again that repetition is good and writer's block is bad. The idea harks back to simpler times in the beginnings of relationships, when you did spend virtually all the money you had earned from your Saturday job on a record from HMV in order to impress your partner of the day. Failing that, you made a mixtape (look it up on Google, kids!) although in simple terms, it's a playlist in physical form, labelled with love and biro! 'Christmas Card 1983' by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize Written, recorded, performed, produced by Les Bicyclettes...

 Day 18 - A Very Woolworths Christmas A Very Woolworths Christmas - play song on Bandcamp   A re-write of my earlier Christmas 'hit' - 'A Very Indie Christmas' - essentially a 'wish list' song for tracks and artists from the C86 era. For this new compilation I decided to look back to those glorious late-night shopping expeditions to Woolworths and the present lists written to Santa (which always included a *Chopper bike!!) A song for those who know what a Ronco record cleaner is/was. *and I'm still waiting for Santa to deliver my Chopper! 'A Very Woolworths Christmas' by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize Written, recorded, performed, produced by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize (c) Richard Longley 2025 lyrics I sat on my bed writing Christmas cards To all my school friends Even the one that was hard (his name was Barry, he’d smash your face in) I left out a note for Santa to se For a Chopper bike and a Slade L.P. Now all I want for Christmas Late night Woolworth’...