Pigbag – Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag

24th March 2023 · 1980s, 1981, Music

It’s always sad to hear that someone you once used to see on Top of the Pops has fallen on hard times. That’s what prompted me to post Pigbag’s finest moment – the funky instrumental with which they (literally) made their name.

It’s also what’s prompted me to post the link at the bottom here, to help sax-man Ollie Moore avoid homelessness. Ollie is facing eviction from the Bristol home where he has lived for 30 years. His son Daniel has started a Crowdfunder to try and raise the £7,000 he needs by 6 April to avoid being put out on the street.

It’s already doing well but of course he could do with more help.

And of course his story is merely one of many across the country as the combination of high inflation, high interest rates, higher mortgage rates and the general higher cost of living under Tory rule all start to bite.

So here is the 1981 song in its classic 12-inch form: it really was (and still is) a landmark record, with its rolling bassline, the tribal drums and of course that exuberant horn section.