Cover art for Manchester by The Beautiful South

Manchester

Producer

May. 15, 20061 viewer

Manchester Lyrics

[Verse 1]
From Northenden to Partington, it's rain
From Altrincham to Chadderton, it's rain
From Moss Side to Swinton, hardly Spain
It's a picture postcard of 'Wish they never came'

[Pre-Chorus 1]
And whilst that deckchair in the garden, it makes no sense
It doesn't spoil the view or cause offence
Those Floridas, Bavarias, and Kents
Make gentlemen wear shorts but don't make gents

[Chorus]
So convertibles stay garage-bound, save after-sun for later
If rain makes Britain great, then Manchester is greater
As you dry your clothes once again upon the radiator
What makes Britain great makes Manchester yet greater

[Verse 2]
From Cheetham Hill to Wythenshawe, it's rain
Gorton, Salford, Sale, pretty much the same
As I'm caught without my jacket once again
The raindrops on my face play a sweet refrain

[Pre-Chorus 2]
And as winter turns reluctantly to spring
For the clouds above the city, there's one last fling
Swallows build their nests, chaffinch sing
And the sun strolls into town like a long-lost king
[Chorus]
So convertibles stay garage-bound, save after-sun for later
If rain makes Britain great, then Manchester is greater
As you dry your clothes once again upon the radiator
What makes Britain great makes Manchester yet greater

[Bridge]
And the mood of this whole sodden place is melancholy
Like the sun came out to play, shone through the clouds, but dropped its lolly
And everyone looks so disappointed, so, so sorry
Like the rain blew into town, kidnapped the sun, and stole its brolly

[Chorus]
So convertibles stay garage-bound, save after-sun for later
If rain makes Britain great, then Manchester is greater
As you dry your clothes once again upon the radiator
What makes Britain great makes Manchester yet greater

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About

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Genius Annotation

A common stereotype of the area of Greater Manchester, UK is that it is rainier than other parts of the country. This is also a stereotype of the UK in general.
The inference made from this by the song, is that if rain puts the “Great” in Great Britain, then Manchester must be greater.
This is done by listing towns and regions within Greater Manchester. The mention of these locations throughout the Manchester area got the song a lot of airplay on local radio stations in Manchester including Key 103 and BBC Radio Manchester.

Q&A

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Credits
Producer
Release Date
May 15, 2006
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