It’s getting heavy around here, so time for some light relief.
Ealing likes to call itself “the Home of Loud.”
It is a reference to Jim Marshall, valve amps, and the glorious feedback of British rock music history.
But after reading a few years’ worth of Leader’s Notes, another title suggests itself:
The Home of the Same Song.
Because every week, the column strikes the same chord:
Fighting inequality. Tackling the climate crisis. Creating good jobs.
Sometimes the intro changes.
One week:
“We are declaring war on fly-tipping.”
Another week:
“Together we are stronger.”
Another:
“We are all creative.”
And occasionally:
“Funding has been slashed by government.”
But the chorus is always the same.
The housing crisis is severe. The council is taking action. Targets are ambitious. Times are tough. We are on your side.
By the time you’ve read a dozen columns, you start to feel like you’re listening to a greatest-hits album with only one track on it.
The municipal remix
It goes something like this:
Track 1: Fighting Inequality (Extended Mix)
Track 2: Tackling the Climate Crisis (Radio Edit)
Track 3: Creating Good Jobs (Feat. High Streets Taskforce)
Track 4: Funding Has Been Slashed (Acoustic Version)
Track 5: We Are On Your Side (Christmas Special)
By the end of the playlist, you realise something:
The title keeps changing. The artwork keeps changing. But the times…
The song remains the same.
There’s a rich popular music heritage in Ealing, and in Southall — the home of Misty In Roots and The Ruts. I channeled my inner rock star and wrote and produced a late-70s/early-80s inspired Southall sound song.
Have a listen and share if you like it.
In the Home of Loud, the amps may change, the posters may change, the slogans may change.
But the setlist never does.
And somewhere in the distance, if you listen closely, you can hear the chant forming:
Get Mason Out… Get Mason Out…
And a special Bangarang Remix:
Lyrics
Verse 1
Every week
Another note
Different words
Same old quote
Fightin’ this
Fixin’ that
Three big pillars
Copycat chat
Housin’ crisis
Waitin’ list
Another promise
Easy to miss
Targets risin’
Bricks not laid
Same old song
Just remade
Chorus
In!
Ee!
Qual!
Ee!
Tee!
Ealin’ is burnin’ with
Inequality!
Ealin’s burnin’!
In!
Ee!
Qual!
Ee!
Tee!
Ealin’ is burnin’ with
Inequality!
Ealin’s burnin’!
Verse 2
Nine thousand
Families waitin’
Hopin’ to move
Straight in
Four thousand
Homes is the plan
Many half-built
More knocked down
Council tax
Up again
Kids’ clubs cut
Pay for friends
Mason’s pay
Up seventy
Leader’s tone-deaf
Melody
Chorus
In!
Ee!
Qual!
Ee!
Tee!
Ealin’ is burnin’ with
Inequality!
Ealin’s burnin’!
Bridge
Fundin’s down
Demand is up
Another promise
Another cut
Miss the target
Raise the bar
Next manifesto
Same old guitar
Final outro chant
GET!
MASON!
OUT!
GET!
MASON!
OUT!
GET!
MASON!
OUT!
