The Diary of Horace Wimp, ELO

Oh, Random Play, you're taking the mickey now...  But it has chosen this track as the third one ever for me to write about.  Right then, I'm going to have to write about this track, and risk significant embarrassment ... 


ELO formed quite a large part of my early musical development. And, as a gangly, nerdy, awkward teen, this song spoke to me.  From the ripe old age of 46 I can look back and see all the faults - although I'm pretty sure I did spot that the week had seven days and not six some years ago.  It's worth remembering what it was like to be a nerd in the 80s.  Of course, it wasn't hell - and lots of people go through lots worse even today, but nerdishness is much more popular now.  Perhaps I was told that it was going to work out OK, but I don't remember that.  I do remember this song though, and even if it was a 4 minute fairy tale, it made me feel OK about being a nerd - that maybe I would get through it.  

I will admit to singing loudly to this in the car, sometimes alone and sometimes to wind up the kids - and I still love the reversal; the first couple of times "Horace Wimp, this is your life, go out and find, yourself a wife" becoming, at the triumphant end, "Horace Wimp, this is your wife, go out and find, yourself a life".  Yes, it is naff.  And yes, it still gives me shivers every time.

And, I should add, it is rather nice life it has turned out OK after all...