Released on 11 July, ‘An Englishman Abroad’ is a catchy new single from a true English eccentric, Richard Fordham.
Essentially a fantasy about an Englishman travelling around the world, teaching English, ‘An Englishman Abroad’ is an upbeat alternative pop track, with a nostaglic sound, including trumpets. We’re reminded of Keith Michell’s dramatic reading of ‘Captain Beaky’ from 1980, as well as other songs from that era, such as ‘Day Trip To Bangor’ by Fiddler’s Dram, and even ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’ by Ian Dury And The Blockheads.
Richard Fordham was originally spurred on to write the lyrics with only a pen, paper, and piano, in his Hampshire home. He then recorded it at various studios before it was finally produced by Thomas Hill, at Resident Studios, London.
Richard Fordham has been writing songs for over 40 years, with his music played by John Peel on BBC Radio 1 back in the 80s. Now 76, Richard who grew up on his family’s farm, and without attending formal school still managed to secure a place at Cambridge University, which he followed up by a successful career as a housing consultant.
