The Flying Pickets was a British a cappella vocal group, known for a surprise number one hit in 1983 on the U.K. singles chart with their cover of the Yazoo's track "Only You". Their version, having peaked around Christmastime, is remembered fondly by many radio stations during the season. The name 'Flying Pickets' refers to mobile strikers who travel in order to join a picket. The group of six was founded by Brian Hibbard in 1982 based off of a group of actors called the "7:84 Theatre group" Read Full BioThe Flying Pickets was a British a cappella vocal group, known for a surprise number one hit in 1983 on the U.K. singles chart with their cover of the Yazoo's track "Only You". Their version, having peaked around Christmastime, is remembered fondly by many radio stations during the season. The name 'Flying Pickets' refers to mobile strikers who travel in order to join a picket. The group of six was founded by Brian Hibbard in 1982 based off of a group of actors called the "7:84 Theatre group", a fringe theatre group who had sung a capella in their production of 'One Big Blow.
Said production was based on a previous U.K. miners' strike. "Only You", their debut single, was the British Christmas number one in 1983, spending a total of five weeks at the top, and it also did well around Europe. Ironically enough, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, fighting an acrimonious political battle with unions at the time, said that the single was one of her favorite songs. A second single, a cover of the soul classic "When You're Young and in Love" by Van McCoy, reached number seven, but their third, a cover of the Eurythmics' track "Who's That Girl?", barely charted at all.
Joining Hibbard in the Flying Pickets were Rick Lloyd, Gareth Williams, David Brett, Ken Gregson, and Red Stripe (real name David Gittins). They were internationally renowned for their appearances: Hibbard's huge sideburns, Stripes thick eyeliner, and four others showing off flamboyant suits and large hats. A group like the Pickets were very lucky to get into the charts at all, let alone a Christmas number one and a pleasing number seven afterwards.
Hibbard and Gittins tried desperately to stay in the music business, and they formed their own act called 'Brian and Stripe'. Unfortunately, their first and only single failed, and they returned to their separate acting careers. Other group members drifted into various careers.
Since the original Flying Pickets split, a new team of five ambitious men have tried to follow in the original's footsteps. Yet they have had no chart success. Still, they've toured around Europe in lots of small venues all year round, trying to at least touch the giddy heights of their predecessors.
Said production was based on a previous U.K. miners' strike. "Only You", their debut single, was the British Christmas number one in 1983, spending a total of five weeks at the top, and it also did well around Europe. Ironically enough, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, fighting an acrimonious political battle with unions at the time, said that the single was one of her favorite songs. A second single, a cover of the soul classic "When You're Young and in Love" by Van McCoy, reached number seven, but their third, a cover of the Eurythmics' track "Who's That Girl?", barely charted at all.
Joining Hibbard in the Flying Pickets were Rick Lloyd, Gareth Williams, David Brett, Ken Gregson, and Red Stripe (real name David Gittins). They were internationally renowned for their appearances: Hibbard's huge sideburns, Stripes thick eyeliner, and four others showing off flamboyant suits and large hats. A group like the Pickets were very lucky to get into the charts at all, let alone a Christmas number one and a pleasing number seven afterwards.
Hibbard and Gittins tried desperately to stay in the music business, and they formed their own act called 'Brian and Stripe'. Unfortunately, their first and only single failed, and they returned to their separate acting careers. Other group members drifted into various careers.
Since the original Flying Pickets split, a new team of five ambitious men have tried to follow in the original's footsteps. Yet they have had no chart success. Still, they've toured around Europe in lots of small venues all year round, trying to at least touch the giddy heights of their predecessors.
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Psycho Killer
Flying Pickets Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Psycho Killer' by these artists:
Babyfat I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
Black Mighty Wax I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
Blue Merle I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
Cage the Elephant I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
Diatribe Walking Down A Gloomy Street You See The Shadows Crawl Your…
English Dogs Psycho killer on the loose again Demented brain in constant…
Faker I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
james! I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
Leo & Daniel Freitas Gatinha assanhada cê' ta querendo o que Eu quero mexer, eu…
Moxy Früvous (Jian) I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
One Bad Son I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
Span I can’t seem to face up to the facts. I’m tense…
Talking Heads I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
Talking Heads (Drop Out Orchestra Remix) I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
Talking Heads/Fatboy Slim I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
The Black Mighty Orchestra I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
The Flying Pickets I can’t seem to face up to the facts I’m tense…
the talking heads I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
Ultima Thule There is a killer, on the loose again The hunt is…
Unleashed I'm all that you want me to be Yeah, read about…
Velvet Revolver I cant seem to face up to the facts Im tense…
´«ÉùÍ·(Talking Heads) I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Flying Pickets:
Buffalo Soldier Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta There was a Buffalo Soldie…
Factory Early in the morning factory whistle blows Man rises from b…
Groovin Groovin', on a Sunday afternoon Really couldn't get away to…
groovin' Groovin', on a Sunday afternoon Really couldn't get away too…
Higher and Higher Your love is liftin' me higher Than I've ever been lifted…
I Heard It Through the Grapevine I bet you're wonderin' how I knew 'Bout your plans to…
Master Of War Come you masters of war You that build the big guns You…
Masters Of War Come you masters of war You that build the big guns You…
Only The Lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah, ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah) (Oh, oh, oh…
Only You Ba da da da Ba da da da Ba da da da Ba…
Remember This Remember this, nothing is sacred. We live right beside the…
Sealed With a Kiss Though we gotta say goodbye for the summer Darling, I promi…
Smells Like Teen Spirit Load up on guns, bring your friends It's fun to lose…
So close There is a better way to live our lives And I…
Summer In The City Hot town, summer in the city Back of my neck…
The Tears of a Clown Now if there's a smile upon my face it's only…
Tracks Of My Tears People say I'm the life of the party Because I tell…
When Doves Cry Dig if you will the picture Of you and I engaged…
When You (la la la la la la la....) Spring in the air…
When You're Young and in Love (La la la la la la la) Spring in the air…
When Your Young And In Love (la la la la la la la....) Spring in the air…
Who The language of love Slips from my lover's tongue Cooler t…
The lyrics can frequently be found in the comments below, by filtering for lyric videos or browsing the comments in the different videos below.
AndyN
It's a good cover and I like the Flying pickets, but I think "much better than the original" is going WAY too far! The original is more stirring I find.
Rosemary Davies
Too clever, and too talented for the time I think......
ravenswing64
Love this group, amazing!
The AstroNerdBoy
Finally -- a song from "Lovejoy" season 1 that I finally found. Though they just play the song without lyrics.
JamesPatrickmenzies
Snap! Best season too - even though I love them all.
rosie beattie
Amazing version.
john e Lawler
fantastic version
Rachael Walker
@CecilyHeron thumbs up! i thought exactly the same thing
Johnnywye64
So catchy I can't see why they never hit the charts constantly
MultiJamesman
Nice, it's a different version than the similar Flying Pickets version I got off of itunes a while ago. Great version!