The sixth single by pop-rock duo FEENSTRA + SIMPSON “Blue Plaque” honours the National Heritage Blue Plaque initiative’s 160th anniversary.
Politician William Ewart devised the initial concept in 1863. The Society of Arts launched it in 1867, and English Heritage has been in charge of the scheme since 1986.
The first plaque commemorated Lord Byron’s birthplace in Cavendish Square, London. One of the most recent plaques was granted for teacher & suffragette Emily Wilding Davison at her home in West Kensington.
These blue plaques connect the accomplishments of previous generations with the structures of today, acting as historical bridges to past achievement to celebrate the traditions of vanished yesteryears…
Lyricist Pete Feenstra explains; “I first had the idea of writing an article about the symbolic historical lineage in London after the 1997 unveiling of the Jimi Hendrix blue plaque.
I thought about the significance of what has been called London’s “invisible history”, which much later became the basis of a song.
I discovered that 2023 marked the 160th anniversary of when the commemorative plaque idea was first presented […] This in turn gave me the first line of the song.
Some of the names fitted the second verse perfectly, but I struggled with music for the bridge, until John applied his musical vision.”
John Simpson adds, “Pete’s lyrics put me in mind of a Ray Davies or Ian Dury style narrative with some original subject matter.
I initially came up with what I thought was a Norman Watt Roy bass line and a Wilko Johnson style stuttering guitar part, all brought together by a Chaz Jankel and Blockheads type rhythm.”
Stuart Ridgard’s video (shared below) completes the picture, securing a masterful triptych of words, music, and imagery.
The song itself features a clean, heartfelt chorus, snappy vocals, and an incredibly warm and cosy easy-handed strum. It reminds us of the early Kinks with it’s Face-to-Face music hall vibe, maybe combined with Dick Taylor’s Pretty Things’ London Town proto-punk attitude.
You’ll adore this song’s retro-whimsical nostalgic feelings if you like a dash of anglo-oriented breeziness.
Words: © Neil Mach
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