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Ballad of a Spy Catcher (single)
1987, Upside Down Records
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The only conventional single in Leon’s
discography, "Ballad of a Spycatcher" was coupled with "Song of the Free Press" and put out as a picture sleeve 45.
Despite only limited exposure on the airwaves (do to its illegal contents) the single became a minor hit, reaching the top 10 of the UK indie charts. In the event, no legal action was ever taken against Leon or anyone else involved, presumably to avoid further embarrassment for the government, and yet more publicity for the book.
Despite only limited exposure on the airwaves (do to its illegal contents) the single became a minor hit, reaching the top 10 of the UK indie charts. In the event, no legal action was ever taken against Leon or anyone else involved, presumably to avoid further embarrassment for the government, and yet more publicity for the book.
"Written for Duncan Campbell, the New Statesman & the Campaign for Press & Broadcasting Freedom to challenge the ruling of three Law Lords that Peter Wright’s book Spycatcher could not be published in this country, nor could the press quote from or refer to any of the material in the book. It took me two days to devour the book (indigestible as it was) and regurgitate it (including even the odd lump of intact quotation) in these memorable verses. So the song was definitely illegal and the least we could hope for was a blanket banning from the air waves. Alas, after some initial hesitation, a single of the song started to receive radio play and even rose to number 7 in the NME Indie Singles Charts. So much for subversive intentions. In the end, of course, the ban on Wright’s book was lifted. But the song still stands, I think, as a historical curiosity. Or, if not that, a pogo-dance number." - LR (sleevnotes to Perspectives, 1997)
“The BBC World Service played a couple of stanzas and then faded it out, explaining that they weren’t allowed to play any more. Capitol Radio said: ‘Our lawyers have only cleared us to play one verse and a chorus. They feel the rest of the song could be in contempt of the High Court ruling.’ Dewsbury Health Authority banned the song outright from hospital radio... It got into the indie singles charts. I was actually, for the first time in my life, rushing out to buy the ‘New Musical Express’ to see how high in the charts it had risen. But wait a minute. That wasn’t what was intended. This was supposed to cause political embarrassment for the government.” - LR (sleevenotes to The World Turned Upside Down (CD box set), p42)
“The BBC World Service played a couple of stanzas and then faded it out, explaining that they weren’t allowed to play any more. Capitol Radio said: ‘Our lawyers have only cleared us to play one verse and a chorus. They feel the rest of the song could be in contempt of the High Court ruling.’ Dewsbury Health Authority banned the song outright from hospital radio... It got into the indie singles charts. I was actually, for the first time in my life, rushing out to buy the ‘New Musical Express’ to see how high in the charts it had risen. But wait a minute. That wasn’t what was intended. This was supposed to cause political embarrassment for the government.” - LR (sleevenotes to The World Turned Upside Down (CD box set), p42)
Thumbnails (click to enlarge)
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