Are you ready for this one? This book that made me laugh out loud and flip through the pages quickly. I read this over lunch breaks and morning coffee. I don’t even know where to begin with this review, but I will try my best.
When I received the request to read this compilation of responses, I was intrigued. The Philpotts wrote letters regarding songs that had me smiling from ear to ear about their interpretations. The responses that came in were even better. One that stuck out to me Starship and their response. “We Built This City” is a song I remember from my childhood and crooning at the top of my lungs while I was at my first job filing old case files. Now, every time I hear this on the radio, I will forever recall how they could not build this city as they stated in the song.
The response to “Black Velvet” and “Christmas Wrapping” caused some cherished childhood songs of mine to be looked at in a skewed light. I am now going to have to listen to them on repeat and forever think about whiskey and stalking. Well maybe not, but I will be sharing that interesting inquiry with my Mom who enjoys “Christmas Wrapping” the song as much as I do during the holidays.
Overall this was a fun read that was well out of my normal reviews. I laughed a lot and it was refreshing to have read a collection of letters to musicians. I think the authors put the story together is a way that flowed from one letter/response to the next. This is a read you don’t have to finish in one sitting. I found myself reading some and then going about my day, only to return to read some more.
I would give this treasure of a read 5 pointe shoes as it found its way into my mind and had me laughing. If you are looking for something different, and quite possible stories to make your favorite songs be viewed in a new light, then this book is for you.
Meet the authors and grab the book below.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40719521-dear-mr-pop-star
https://unbound.com/books/dear-mr-pop-star/
@DerekPhilpott Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/ThePhilpotts/
http://amzn.eu/93h4fYH Amazon
“If you don’t like this book, then you’re no friend of mine.” Ivan Doroschuk, Men Without Hats
Dear Mr Pop Star
Derek & Dave Philpott
20/09/2018 | £16.99
A collection of hilarious letters to iconic pop and rock stars with fantastic in-on-the-joke replies from the artists themselves: Eurythmics, Heaven 17, Deep Purple, Devo, Dr. Hook and many, many more…
For more than a decade, Derek Philpott and his son, Dave, have been writing deliberately deranged letters to pop stars from the 1960s to the 90s to take issue with the lyrics of some of their best-known songs. They miss the point as often as they hit it.
But then, to their great surprise, the pop stars started writing back…
Dear Mr Pop Star contains 100 of Derek and Dave’s greatest hits, including correspondence with Katrina and the Waves, Tears for Fears, Squeeze, The Housemartins, Suzi Quatro, Devo, Deep Purple, Nik Kershaw, T’Pau, Human League, Eurythmics, Wang Chung, EMF, Mott the Hoople, Heaven 17, Jesus Jones, Johnny Hates Jazz, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, Chesney Hawkes and many, many more.
Derek and Dave Philpott are the noms de plume of two ordinary members of the public, working with help from a worldwide social networking community.
For more information or to request a review copy, please contact
Charlotte Hutchinson: 0207 017 2377 | charlotte@unbound.co.uk
Awesome review!
Thank you 😊
Mary. Even though our blog tour is COLOSSAL and one of the largest that anyone has achieved (so we’re told!), we were still very careful as to who we invited and in your splendid case, as with so many others, our discretion has been vindicated. We adore that
a) you can pick us up, take a nibble and then put us back in the pantry like a surreal interactive pop biscuit
b) you will never listen to these songs in the same fashion ever. again.
c) you noticed that the letters are very deliberately placed for ‘flow’.
We love that you totally embraced our mad little world, literally built of crock n roill, a decade in construction. and that your wonderful critique completely encapsulates that concept for the uninitiated.
It’s been a delight corresponding with you in the weeks and weeks leading to this wonderful piece and you have been supportive, encouraging enthusiastic, and encouraging throughout.
Good luck with your ma and the Christmas Wrapping confessional!! Best and Highest, Dave and Dad Philpott
Thank you it was a pleasure being a part of the tour! I have never smiled so much reading a compilation of letters and responses.
PS – completely changed that song for my Mom this morning. What started as an ‘oh I love that song’ by her quickly turned into a peel of laughter and plans to listen soon together when the holidays are here.