The Flying Pickets was a British a cappella vocal group, known for a surpri… Read Full Bio ↴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", 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.

The Happiest Place in Town
Flying Pickets Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh deliver me, there's danger here
There's wind to fill this sail
No delivery from evil
Is arriving in the mail
Take this wheel and dive in
When the evening comes around
You'll find me at the happiest place in town

I can't follow you, I don't believe
I'm frightened by the dark
Like the shells of these cicadas
I'm still clinging to the bark
When the sky is crying
And it's tears are raining down
I'll take you to the happiest place in town

When the only things that run to you
Are headlights and fireflies
Wake me up, I won't be far away
One day I won't be lifting a receiver
One day you will look at me and say

Don't apologise, I never thought
The times we spent apart
Killed an inch of those emotions
That were hiding in my heart
When your dreams are broken

And your friends all let you down
I'll take you to the happiest place in town

Overall Meaning

The opening line of the Flying Pickets's song The Happiest Place in Town speaks to a desperate situation, "oh deliver me, there's danger here," but offers hope for rescue by way of the metaphorical "wind to fill this sail." The singer refuses to give into evil, even though there is no apparent help coming from outside forces. Instead, he takes control and "dives in" by "taking the wheel." His bravery is rewarded with a sense of peace at the end of the day when he finds himself in "the happiest place in town."

The second stanza shifts focus to the singer's companion who he cannot follow because he is "frightened by the dark." The singer makes use of another nature metaphor to speak to his feelings of entrapment. He feels like the cicadas clinging to the bark. The imagery used in the song lyrically shows the way the bleak world often feels incredibly scary and alone to the singer, saying "When the sky is crying/ And it's tears raining down/ I'll take you to the happiest place in town."

The final stanza brings hope for the future as the singer proclaims they will not always be so far away. Once reunited, they won't have to apologize for lost time or emotions hidden away. When friends disappoint and dreams are destroyed, the singer promises he can take his companion to the "happiest place in town." This song is a poignant reminder that even when things can be at their most difficult, we have the power to find joy in our own lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh deliver me, there's danger here
I am in a threatening situation and in need of assistance

There's wind to fill this sail
There is potential for progress and growth

No delivery from evil Is arriving in the mail
Negative consequences cannot be avoided or delayed

Take this wheel and dive in When the evening comes around You'll find me at the happiest place in town
Embrace the challenge and find joy in the journey

I can't follow you, I don't believe I'm frightened by the dark Like the shells of these cicadas I'm still clinging to the bark
I am afraid of the unknown and unsure of my own strength

When the sky is crying And it's tears are raining down I'll take you to the happiest place in town
I will provide comfort and support in times of sadness

When the only things that run to you Are headlights and fireflies Wake me up, I won't be far away
When you feel alone, I will be there to offer guidance and companionship

One day I won't be lifting a receiver One day you will look at me and say
Someday I will not be the one needing help, but the one giving it

Don't apologise, I never thought The times we spent apart Killed an inch of those emotions That were hiding in my heart
Even though we were apart, my feelings for you remain unchanged

When your dreams are broken And your friends all let you down I'll take you to the happiest place in town
I will be there to uplift you when you feel defeated and abandoned

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS