Is This the Way to Amarillo
Encyclopedia
In the United States, a version by the writer of the song Neil Sedaka
made to number 44 in the Billboard charts
in 1977, and the title was shortened to "Amarillo".
. The song was re-released on 14 March 2005 to raise money for the Comic Relief charity, with an accompanying video where Peter Kay
Lip-synced
the song accompanied by various celebrities including Brian May
, Roger Taylor
, Shakin' Stevens
, Shaun Ryder
, Bez, Michael Parkinson
, Heather Mills, Danny Baker
, Ronnie Corbett
, Mr Blobby, Jim Bowen
, look-alike
s of Cliff Richard
(the same lookalike is used in the Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights spin off, Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
) and Mahatma Gandhi
, William Roache
, Anne Kirkbride
, Sally Lindsay
, Jimmy Savile
, Bernie Clifton
, Keith Harris and Orville the Duck
, Sooty
, Sweep
, Geoffrey Hayes and Bungle
and Tony Christie
himself. Within the first few cameos, Max and Paddy from Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights and its spin-off appear together, arguing and eventually fighting in the Granada studios corridor. This is one of many appearances of characters from Peter Kay's TV series, including Paddy's tennis playing cell mate Cliff (Cliff Richard lookalike) from Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere, and both a midget football team and Brian Potter from Phoenix Nights. The video consists almost entirely of Kay walking towards the camera flanked by different pairings of the celebrities, in front of increasingly bizarre and unlikely backgrounds. This time the song reached number 1 in the UK chart and remained there for 7 weeks selling over a million copies, becoming the UK's best-selling single of 2005.
During its 2005 success the song was credited in chart rundowns and other media appearances to "Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay". However, Kay does not appear on the record, since it is a re-issue of the 1971 version and not a re-recording.
Chart Performance
Spin-offs / spoofs
BBC One
's This Week used a parody of Kay's video, starring presenter Andrew Neil
, for its opening titles in the run-up to the 2005 election
.
On 13 May 2005, another spoof video of the song made by the Royal Dragoon Guards
stationed in Iraq was emailed so frequently it crashed a server at the Ministry of Defence
. The spoof was entitled "Is This The Way To Armadillo
" .
On 6 August 2006, Riverton Rover Crew also did an award winning spoof of the Tony Christie video.
On 2 July 2005, Peter Kay
, joined by the crowd, sang an excerpt of this song a cappella
, before introducing The Who
at Live 8
's London concert
. Before this, at a 4 May 2005 concert by Queen + Paul Rodgers
at the Manchester Evening News Arena
, Kay and his regular co-star Paddy McGuinness led the crowd in an impromptu rendition while they introduced the band's encore. The pair were later invited back on stage to take a bow with the band at the end of the show.
; this version charted in Germany in 2005. There is also a version by The Les Humphries Singers
and a version in German by Roberto Blanco
. There was also a 1971 version on the MGM label (K 14360) by a band called English House. It was produced by Terry Slater. The A-side was "Music Is The Voice Of Love" composed by Terry Slater and Phil Everly.
Football
Rugby League
Boxing
Darts
Others
Neil Sedaka
Neil Sedaka is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard...
made to number 44 in the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
in 1977, and the title was shortened to "Amarillo".
Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay version
In 2002, Tony Christie's version was used in the British comedy series Peter Kay's Phoenix NightsPeter Kay's Phoenix Nights
Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights was a BAFTA-nominated English sitcom about The Phoenix Club, a working men's club in the northern English town of Farnworth, Greater Manchester. The show was written by Neil Fitzmaurice, Peter Kay and Dave Spikey, produced by Goodnight Vienna Productions and Ovation...
. The song was re-released on 14 March 2005 to raise money for the Comic Relief charity, with an accompanying video where Peter Kay
Peter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
Lip-synced
Lip-synching in music
Lip-synching in music is "moving the lips in synchronization with [pre-]recorded speech or song" to give the appearance of a 'live' performance. It is generally considered dishonest, though some producers argue that it needs to be done in some performance contexts...
the song accompanied by various celebrities including Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
, Roger Taylor
Roger Meddows-Taylor
Roger Meddows Taylor , known as Roger Taylor, is a British musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the drummer, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Queen. As a drummer he is known for his "big" unique sound and is considered one of...
, Shakin' Stevens
Shakin' Stevens
Shakin' Stevens, also known as "Shaky" is a platinum selling Welsh rock and roll singer and songwriter who holds the distinction of being the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s . His recording and performing career began in the late 1960s, although it was not until 1980 that he saw...
, Shaun Ryder
Shaun Ryder
Shaun William Ryder, aka X, is an English musician, occasional newspaper columnist, actor, author, singer-songwriter and television personality, best known as lead singer for Happy Mondays and Black Grape – and more recently as the runner-up of the 2010 version of the British TV Show I'm a...
, Bez, Michael Parkinson
Michael Parkinson
Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE is an English broadcaster, journalist and author. He presented his interview programme, Parkinson, from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007.- Early life :...
, Heather Mills, Danny Baker
Danny Baker
Danny Baker is an English comedy writer, journalist, radio DJ and screenwriter. Since the late 1970s, he has worked for a wide range of publications and broadcasters including NME, LWT, the BBC, and Talk Radio....
, Ronnie Corbett
Ronnie Corbett
Ronald Balfour "Ronnie" Corbett, OBE is a Scottish actor and comedian of Scottish and English parentage who had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the British television comedy series The Two Ronnies...
, Mr Blobby, Jim Bowen
Jim Bowen
Jim Bowen is an English stand-up comedian and TV personality. He is best known as the host of the ITV gameshow Bullseye, which he hosted between 1981 and 1995.-Early life:...
, look-alike
Look-alike
A look-alike is a person who closely resembles another person. In popular Western culture, a look-alike is a person who bears a close physical resemblance to a celebrity, politician or member of royalty. Many look-alikes earn a living by making guest appearances at public events or performing on...
s of Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
(the same lookalike is used in the Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights spin off, Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere was an award-winning British comedy television show on Channel 4 starring and written by Peter Kay and Patrick McGuinness. All the episodes were also directed by Kay. It began on 12 November 2004 and ran for six 30 minute episodes up until 17 December 2004, with each...
) and Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
, William Roache
William Roache
William Patrick Harry Roache MBE is a British actor, best known for his role as Ken Barlow in the soap opera Coronation Street...
, Anne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride is an English actress, best known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street which she has played for thirty-nine years.-Coronation Street:...
, Sally Lindsay
Sally Lindsay
Sally Lindsay is an English actress best known for playing the role of Shelley Unwin in the long-running ITV1 Soap opera Coronation Street...
, Jimmy Savile
Jimmy Savile
Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile, OBE, KCSG was an English disc jockey, television presenter and media personality, best known for his BBC television show Jim'll Fix It, and for being the first and last presenter of the long-running BBC music chart show Top of the Pops...
, Bernie Clifton
Bernie Clifton
Bernie Clifton is a British comedian and entertainer, who appeared on the BBC television series Crackerjack with Michael Aspel, Peter Glaze, Don Maclean and Jan Hunt in the 1970s....
, Keith Harris and Orville the Duck
Orville the Duck
Orville the Duck is the puppet of ventriloquist Keith Harris and was named after Orville Wright . Orville is a green duckling who wears nothing but a nappy with a large safety pin on the front...
, Sooty
Sooty
Sooty is a British glove puppet bear and TV character popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. The children's television show which bears his name has continued in various forms since the 1950s and, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is the...
, Sweep
Sweep (puppet)
Sweep is a British puppet and TV character popular in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and other countries.Sweep is a grey, glove puppet dog with long black ears who joined The Sooty Show in 1957, as a friend to fellow puppet Sooty...
, Geoffrey Hayes and Bungle
Bungle (Rainbow)
Bungle is a character in the British children's television series Rainbow. He is a large brown furry bear and is played by various actors, but chiefly Stanley Bates...
and Tony Christie
Tony Christie
Tony Christie is an English musician, singer and actor. He is best known for his track, "Is This The Way To Amarillo", a double UK chart success.-Career:Tony Christie has sold over 10 million albums Worldwide...
himself. Within the first few cameos, Max and Paddy from Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights and its spin-off appear together, arguing and eventually fighting in the Granada studios corridor. This is one of many appearances of characters from Peter Kay's TV series, including Paddy's tennis playing cell mate Cliff (Cliff Richard lookalike) from Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere, and both a midget football team and Brian Potter from Phoenix Nights. The video consists almost entirely of Kay walking towards the camera flanked by different pairings of the celebrities, in front of increasingly bizarre and unlikely backgrounds. This time the song reached number 1 in the UK chart and remained there for 7 weeks selling over a million copies, becoming the UK's best-selling single of 2005.
During its 2005 success the song was credited in chart rundowns and other media appearances to "Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay". However, Kay does not appear on the record, since it is a re-issue of the 1971 version and not a re-recording.
Chart Performance
Spin-offs / spoofs
BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's This Week used a parody of Kay's video, starring presenter Andrew Neil
Andrew Neil
Andrew Ferguson Neil is a Scottish journalist and broadcaster.He currently works for the BBC, presenting the live political programmes The Daily Politics and This Week...
, for its opening titles in the run-up to the 2005 election
United Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
.
On 13 May 2005, another spoof video of the song made by the Royal Dragoon Guards
Royal Dragoon Guards
The Royal Dragoon Guards is a cavalry regiment of the British Army. It was formed in 1992 by the amalgamation of two other regiments: The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards...
stationed in Iraq was emailed so frequently it crashed a server at the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
. The spoof was entitled "Is This The Way To Armadillo
Is This the Way to Armadillo
Is This the Way to Armadillo is a spoof video of the song Is This the Way to Amarillo produced by the Royal Dragoon Guards stationed in Iraq...
" .
On 6 August 2006, Riverton Rover Crew also did an award winning spoof of the Tony Christie video.
On 2 July 2005, Peter Kay
Peter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
, joined by the crowd, sang an excerpt of this song a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
, before introducing The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
at Live 8
Live 8
Live 8 was a string of benefit concerts that took place on 2 July 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa. They were timed to precede the G8 Conference and summit held at the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland from 6–8 July 2005; they also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Live Aid...
's London concert
Live 8 concert, London
The main Live 8 concert was held at Hyde Park, London, England on 2 July 2005, in front of over 200,000 people. The show's logistics were managed by famed promoter Harvey Goldsmith.The event is also referred to as "Live 8 London" or "Live 8 UK"....
. Before this, at a 4 May 2005 concert by Queen + Paul Rodgers
Queen + Paul Rodgers
Queen + Paul Rodgers was a supergroup collaboration between Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen and Paul Rodgers...
at the Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester Evening News Arena
The Manchester Evening News Arena is an indoor arena situated in Manchester, England. It is adjacent to Manchester Victoria station near Corporation Street...
, Kay and his regular co-star Paddy McGuinness led the crowd in an impromptu rendition while they introduced the band's encore. The pair were later invited back on stage to take a bow with the band at the end of the show.
Other cover versions, re-issues etc.
The Dutch singer Albert West covered the song in 2005, making the Dutch charts. After the successful re-release of the song in the UK, Tony Christie re-recorded it with the Hermes House BandHermes House Band
The Hermes House Band is a Dutch pop band, established in 1984 by members of the Hermes fraternity/sorority in Rotterdam, Netherlands. They have released more than twenty five albums and singles.-History:...
; this version charted in Germany in 2005. There is also a version by The Les Humphries Singers
Les Humphries Singers
The Les Humphries Singers was a 1970s musical group formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1969 by the English born Les Humphries , who had been inspired to do his own version of the Edwin Hawkins Singers.The Les Humphries Singers dissolved at the end of the...
and a version in German by Roberto Blanco
Roberto Blanco
Roberto Blanco , was born 7 June 1937 in Tunis, Tunisia. Of Afro-Cuban origin, Blanco is a German-speaking Schlager singer and actor.-Early life:...
. There was also a 1971 version on the MGM label (K 14360) by a band called English House. It was produced by Terry Slater. The A-side was "Music Is The Voice Of Love" composed by Terry Slater and Phil Everly.
Football
- In the early 1970s, following their run to the final in the Texaco CupTexaco CupThe Texaco Cup was an association football competition involving clubs from England, Ireland and Scotland that had not qualified for European competitions. Irish clubs withdrew from the competition after 1971-72 due to political pressure, and in 1973-74 and 1974-75 competed in a separate Texaco Cup...
, Airdrieonians FCAirdrieonians F.C.Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
sung to the tune of "Amarillo", changing the last line to "Airdrie for the Texaco Cup". This song was revived by Airdrie fans following the release of Peter Kays version - Since the late 1990s, the Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club FalrkirkFalkirk F.C.Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
have played Amarillo after a goal scored by the club at home. This precedes the re-release by Christie and Peter Kay and was highlighted when Tony Christie was added to the line-up of performers at the Big In Falkirk music concert to perform the song with the Falkirk playing staff and manager after the club won promotion to the SPL in the summer of 2005 - The English FootballFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team, Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
(Peter KayPeter KayPeter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
's hometown club) have had Amarillo as their 'Goal' song since the 2004/05 Premier League season (although I Feel Good is still used on occasion). One version of the song sung by fans replaces the fourth line of the chorus with "El Hadji DioufEl Hadji DioufEl Hadji Ousseynou Diouf is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays for Doncaster Rovers. He can play on both wings as well as in attack. He has also garnered a large amount of notoriety for a series of controversial incidents.-Early career:Diouf started his career in France with...
will spit on you", although this line has been seldom used since Diouf left the club. The song is also frequently used by Christie's local side, Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers F.C.Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in... - Birmingham City's version was "Is This The Way To Hammer Villa" after beating them 5-0 over two games in their first season back in the top flight
Rugby League
- Leeds RhinosLeeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
fans regularly sing an altered version during the end of the season playoffs, changing the last line to 'Old Trafford waits for Leeds', due to Old TraffordOld TraffordOld Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
being the venue for the Super League Grand FinalSuper League Grand FinalThe Super League Grand Final is the championship-deciding game of the Super League rugby league football competition...
Boxing
- Bolton boxer Amir KhanAmir Khan (boxer)Amir Iqbal Khan , is a British Pakistani professional boxer who is currently the unified WBA & IBF light welterweight champion....
used the song when he was walking to the ring in his last amateur fight against Mario Kindelan which took place in his home town
Darts
- The PDCProfessional Darts CorporationThe Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
dartsDartsDarts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
player Peter ManleyPeter ManleyPeter David Manley is an English professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He is nicknamed One Dart as he is known for hitting doubles with his first dart...
has used the song since 2005 as his entry song
Others
- Other artists to have recorded the song include Daniel O'Donnell, Albert West, James LastJames LastJames Last is a German composer and big band leader. His "happy music" made his numerous albums best-sellers in Germany and the United Kingdom. His composition, "Happy Heart", became an international success in interpretations by Andy Williams and Petula Clark...
, Joe LossJoe LossJoshua Alexander "Joe" Loss LVO OBE was a British musician and founder of the Joe Loss Orchestra.-Life:Loss was born in Spitalfields, London, the youngest of four children. His parents, Israel and Ada Loss, were Russian Jews and first cousins. His father was a cabinet-maker who had an office...
and his Orchestra, and the thrash metalThrash metalThrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band BrainstormBrainstorm (German band)Brainstorm is a German power metal band, formed in 1989 by guitarists Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric, and drummer Dieter Bernert, The band features lead singer Andy B. Franck, who is also famous for his other band, Symphorce. They are known to play a somewhat darker style of music than most... - A spoof version "Is This the Way To Santa's Grotto" was a Christmas UK Top 40 hit in 2005, and Christie himself re-recorded the song as "Is This the Way To the World Cup" to coincide with England's 2006 World Cup2006 FIFA World CupThe 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
campaign. This version reached number 8 in the UK charts - Another spoof version, "Is This the Way to AberystwythIs This the Way to Aberystwyth"Is This the Way to Aberystwyth" was written and sung by Chris Moyles Show producer Aled Haydn Jones , and is a parody of the famous and very popular song, "Is This the Way to Amarillo"....
", is sung by Chris Moyles Show producer Aled Haydn JonesAled Haydn JonesAled Haydn Jones is a Welsh radio producer and radio presenter. Since 2004 he has worked on The Chris Moyles Show.-Personal history:...
and is about the coastal Welsh town of AberystwythAberystwythAberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
. There is both an English and a Welsh version - The UK insurer NFU MutualNFU MutualThe National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited, trading as NFU Mutual, is a UK registered mutual insurance composite. It underwrites more than £1 billion in annual premium in life and general insurance lines for rural communities within the UK. NFU Mutual is based in...
recorded a version of the song and video by Peter Kay for an internal DVD celebrating the company's centenary - Two CzechCzech languageCzech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century...
language versions were recorded in 1972: "Kvítek mandragory" by Helena VondráčkováHelena VondráckováHelena Vondráčková is a Czech singer whose career has spanned five decades.- Early life/career :Vondráčková spent her childhood years in the town of Slatinany. She took piano lessons from an early age...
, and "Nápis na dveřích" by Jiří Hromádka - Roberto BlancoRoberto BlancoRoberto Blanco , was born 7 June 1937 in Tunis, Tunisia. Of Afro-Cuban origin, Blanco is a German-speaking Schlager singer and actor.-Early life:...
has recorded a German-language version of the song, called "Ich Komm Zurück Nach Amarillo"
External links
- Revealed: The Road to Amarillo Manchester Evening News, 21 March 2005
- 'Amarillo' video crashes MoD PCs BBC News, 17 May 2005