9 Bizarre Place Names In Songs You Totally Missed
Just where is Jimi Hendrix's Spanish Castle Magic anyway?
What would you expect from Blur's return as the biggest band in Britpop? A social commentary of life in 2015, the highs and lows of a modern life still being rubbish? Or perhaps... the 5:14 train to East Grinstead? Such was the peculiar reference that passes in the blink of an eye on Lonesome Street, the opening track to their first full release in twelve years, The Magic Whip. Tongues soon began to wag as to what this could possibly represent, other than a startlingly accurate knowledge of the towns transport timetables of course (a train does indeed go from London Bridge to East Grinstead at 5:14 on weekdays). Although the towns inhabitants could easily adopt it as the new local anthem, frontman Damon Albarn seems to be using the journey as an example of the mundane routines that many of us fall into, a characteristic of the banality of everyday life. Its not something that directly relates to East Grinstead at all then; rather, it fits the role of any small town populated by London commuters - not exactly a message you want to sing from the towns rooftops. But East Grinstead is not alone; popular music is choc-a-block full of references to unusual, more under-the-radar locations. Sure, you could praise the sights of London or the glorious climate of California, but these images are so overused that they have become stale. Instead, here are nine artists below that opted for obscure, personal and unique places in their music instead, and if there are others that you think should be included please share your thoughts below!