My Favourite 45 by Andrew Needle, The Ruling Class

The first time I stumbled across The Ruling Class was late 2008, when they supported the Charlatans at Leeds Academy. I was impressed by their music and more importantly, their haircuts. Yes folks, hairdos matter in pop music! Rhythm guitarist Andrew Needle (pictured right) dropped by recently to tell us about one his favourite 45s and came up with this surprising novelty tune. The Ruling Class have recently followed up their sold out debut single, ‘Flowers’ with a new EP + 7" single called, ‘Tour De Force’. Check out their myspace page to hear more.

Two Little Boys by Rolf Harris, 1969

Some songs or albums you just want to know everything about them, and about the people that made them, but with this one I’d rather not know for fear of it losing the magic. I never knew anything about it because I was so young when I started listening to it I suppose. You’re not really bothered about stuff like that when you’re not old enough to read.

I know that this song wasn’t originally written by Rolf Harris but this is the version that I know. My mum used to sing it to me and my brother when I was 4. I think she got sick of us asking her to sing it every night and you couldn’t buy it in the shops anymore, so she rang up the local radio station and asked if anyone had a copy. Some nice lady drove round and just gave it to us.

I suppose you could say it’s a song of nostalgia for me, but I don’t think it is just that as I can only vaguely remember listening to but it but I remember being quite affected by it then. I think maybe when you are a child your mind is open in a way it is not when you are older. You are less aware of the boundaries and so you immerse yourself in a different world more freely and I think this is what happens to me still when I listen to this. I’m not normally into songs with a story but this one is haunting in a way that I can’t readily explain. Its strange how at first it comes across as this really saccharine, almost nursery rhyme, song but yet it transcends into something quite powerful and ethereal. There’s something ghostly about it.

I tried to play it on the guitar not so long ago and I just welled up, my voice went all funny. I was singing it with a load of tears flying off my face. Even now when I think of the lyrics I get a bit emotional. I’m a bit like Rolf when that dog died on Animal Hospital. It’s a bit embarrassing.

Apparently this is Margaret Thatcher’s favourite song as well which is quite worrying. She doesn’t seem like someone who would fully empathise with the sentiment. I can’t imagine her being a very sharing child. I can see her kicking the little boy off the horse so that she had more room to herself, and then possibly trampling over him because he didn’t agree with some of her policies, but there you go.

If you haven't heard this song I suggest you go listen to it. Maybe i had heard it now I wouldn't be so fond of it. I may just see it as some terrible kids’ song. But the lyrics conjure up a really powerful image every time I hear it. It’s the best thing Rolf has ever done (apart from those pictures he used to do, where you can't guess what it is until the end).

Andrew Needle, The Ruling Class

Song facts:

The song was originally recorded by British Music Hall star Harry Lauder in 1903. It tells the story of 2 brothers who share horses as boys and later share them in battle during war. The exact war was not specified, although it could be the Boer War.

Rolf Harris hit the number one spot in 1969 in the week Ready Steady Go! Editor Soulboy_69 was born!

The Ruling Class don’t sound like Rolf Harris, trust me!

For more info on the band www.myspace.com/therulingclassuk