For a while I have wanted to write a track about my beloved Yorkshire, the finest county in the UK which I'm blessed to call home.
You won't find any flat caps or whippets in this song, but you will find love and passion, stunning scenery, local references, silly puns, cool smiles, loads of walking and the only song currently in existence which mentions both Zak Dingle and Marcelo Bielsa.
It's a great corner of the world and I urge anyone visiting the UK, or you Southerners who think it's grim up north, to come here and spend a few days in paradise. Imagine Cornwall but cheaper, better, more lively, with more nightlife, better hills, funnier locals, 5% of the tractors, better roads and public transport...in fact just imagine heaven and you're halfway there.
I believe this is a world record for the most place names ever voiced in one song. I've got it as 135 (may be disputable), it's considerably higher than I've Been Everywhere with a measly 92.
I present to you my ode to Yorkshire!
lyrics
I grew up on the mean streets of Menston and Ilkley
But those aren't the only places I've been
I've been around, I've seen it all
I've been to Bradford and Leeds
Now I'm living in Bingley
Been to Swillington Drighlington been to Baildon and Tingley
Been to Sheffield Slowett Stanley Selby and Skipton
Giggleswick Grassington Garforth Guiseley and Gipton
I've had bevvies in Beverley, got on it in Ossett
Sang a song in Tong with a fella from Hong Kong
Bramley Chapel Allerton and Wath on Dearne
Sowerby Bridge Seacroft Settle and Saltburn
Been to Woodlesford, Wakey, been to Kippax and Cas
Went to Eureka as a kid and honestly thought it was class
If I need to go to Ikea, I hop it over to Birstall
For the cinema and the bowling though it's usually Kirkstall
Seen sheep, cows, pigs and chickens running through farms
Dodged pheasants and deer on the road up by the Rythre Arms
Hornsea and Hull, Sherburn in Elmet and Pudsey
Been disgusted by the prices of the houses in Alwoodley
Jumped the bracken in Addingham rented a room in Broom
Whatever you did in Winstons it's not for me to presume
I saw a hare in Harewood a hippy in Hipperholme
A horse in Horsforth Robin Koch at Elland Road
I saw Zak Dingle near the cricket club in Thackley
Chris Wilder in Otley, Deontay in Batley
Shipley and Saltaire, Haworth it's all home
In school we once went swimming at the Doncaster Dome
My brother just started renting in the centre of York
Lishmans and Wilson's always sorted me out with pork
I've been to Chapeltown Rothwell out to Whitby and Flamborough
Sung along with Billy Pearce at the Bradford Alhambra
Been to Micklethwaite Manningham Meanwood Morley East Morton
Huddersfield, Harden Rotherham Roundhay and Rawdon
Hebden Bridge Hunslet Harehills Harrogate and Heckmondwyke
I lost my lucky lighter at the laundrette in Laisterdyke
Lofthouse, Frizinghall, Huby and Weeton
Out to Robin Hood's Bay back to Queensbury and Steeton
Been to Buckton and Leathley, Armley and Beeston
Knaresborough and Keighley, Scarborough and Yeadon
Belle Isle sounds like paradise to those who've never bin
The rain in Wetwang does what it says on the tin
I've been to Gildersome Whinmoor Shadwell Thornton and Farsley
Blubberhouses Bramham Brimham Rocks and Barnsley
As a kid we took the bucket and the spade to Filey
Back when Esholt had Shadrach and Lisa Riley
That's right
I've been there and I've seen a lot
I admit there's probably even some I might've forgot
Like when I ate an Apple, in Apperly Bridge
When I burned in Burnsall cooked in Cookridge
I've been to Malham, Masham, Moortown, and Middleton
Calverley, Dewsbury, Wortley and Riddlesden
Someone followed me in Cleckheaton and I had to skedaddle
I met my idol in Idle and had a paddle in Adel
I've been to Aysgarth Falls I tell you I seen it all
Every week I went to BNI at Weetwood Hall
Holbeck, Malton, Arthington and Wilsden
Gargrave, Farnley, Ingleton and Silsden
Halifax, Ponte, Ripon and Low Moor
There can't be many more places that I haven't explored
Burley in Wharfedale conjures a lot of memories
I'll be here when I'm gone, but I don't know that I'll ever be
Like a student in Headingley or Bielsa in Wetherby
I want to leave a mark on the streets that I roam
A legacy for better in this county we call home
The most passionate compassionate people I've ever known
You've got a friend in me, and so you're never alone
When I'm around in town take a minute to say hello
Cos I'll be gone in a flash there's still some places I've got to go
I haven't been to Penistone or Featherstone or Goole
And all the rest I didn't get in but I'll seeing them soon
Hahahahahahahaaaa
Oh no you've gotta be kidding, I missed out Ben Rhydding
Wilko Wilkes is an alternative rapper, writer, lyricist, singer, MC & storyteller from West Yorkshire,
UK.
From a musical background, he takes inspiration from a wide variety of genres and styles, resulting in an alternative style of rap music which is truly unique.
Search Wilko Wilkes on Youtube, Spotify, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or visit wilkowilkes.com...more
Futuristic feminist hip-hop, the first full debut EP from this young, ultra-talented Californian and her team of way-out producers. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 22, 2016
The Leeds producer infuses wonky hip-hop soundscapes with psychedelic, ambient, and soul motifs; funky as well as futuristic. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 19, 2020
