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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Lyrical Journey

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Series 1

Exploring the relationship between much-loved songs and the places which inspired them

Series exploring the mysterious relationship between much-loved songs and the places which inspired them

Lyrical Journey: Series 1

Lyrical Journey: Series 1: Episode 2: Day Trip to Bangor

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Episode 2

Episode 2: Day Trip to Bangor

Day Trip to Bangor

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Lyrical Journey, Series 1, Day Trip to Bangor

Was the 1979 smash hit 'Day Trip to Bangor' really inspired by the Welsh city?

Jonathan Maitland finds out if the 1979 chart hit 'Day Trip to Bangor' was really inspired by the Welsh city? From September 2011.

Eminently singable, 'Day Trip to Bangor', which sold more than half million copies in 1979, has entered popular culture in an astonishing way. Covered by no end of bands, parodied in rugby songs, by comedians (e.g.Jasper Carrot's 'Daytrip to Blackpool') - it even got mashed up 2010 style by Paul Dakeyne at the Chris Moyles' Weekender in Bangor.

Presenter Jonathan Maitland takes the writer of the song - Debbie Cook - and Cathy Lesurf, the original singer from Fiddler's Dram (who recorded the song) back to Bangor in Wales to find out why so many people find it hard to believe it is indeed a song about that city. 

Why did people claim at the time (and still do) that Debbie must have based it on a day-trip to Rhyl instead? And do the lyrics of song (the fairground, the pier etc) have any basis in reality? What happened to the woman in the song who had a 'cuddle with Jack' and delighted in getting the whole day-trip for 'under a pound'?

Cathy is asked to perform the song on the pier alongside real day-trippers, and finds out how much it has meant to some of the residents to have their home celebrated in this way.

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

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Lyrical Journey

Series 1

Episode 2: Day Trip to Bangor

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