In Liam Withnail’s new show, he talks about growing up in Dagenham and how he somehow ended up in Edinburgh. This is the music mood board that runs alongside the story.
Dagenham Dream – Blood Orange
Devonté Hynes, aka Blood Orange, isn’t from Dagenham – he’s from nearby Ilford. As well as making gorgeous, genre-blurring music himself, he’s produced and written for the likes of Taylor Swift (I know, lol). He was even the main producer on that new Turnstile album. I’m still stunned when someone from vaguely near where I grew up ends up doing that well.
A New England – Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg, from Barking. A pioneering left-wing singer-songwriter who wears his working-class roots like a badge of honour. There’s not much better than this when it comes to homespun defiance and heart.
Letter from America – The Proclaimers
A song about people moving from Edinburgh to the US – not quite Dagenham to Edinburgh, but the sentiment holds. Moving cities, never mind countries, is terrifying. This captures the ache and hope of starting again.
Dagenham Dave – Morrissey
“Head in the clouds and a mouthful of pie.” Morrissey sings about a guy from Dagenham with a mixture of disdain and fascination. Ironically, his politics nowadays would fit right in with 2000s Dagenham.
I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles – Cockney Rejects
You can’t talk about Dagenham without mentioning the mighty Hammers. This punk cover of the terrace anthem was a regular in our house growing up. Loud, proud, and slightly out of tune – just like home.
Fiesta – The Pogues
My dad features heavily in the show, and this was his Sunday morning wake-up alarm. The Pogues were his favourite band, and he’d blast this through the house to get us out of bed. Bastard.
Liam Withnail: Big Strong Boy, until 24 Aug (not 13), 6.10pm