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UKIP Calypso by Mike Read and The Independents - Twitter reacts to a new political anthem

UKIP Calypso by Mike Read and The Independents - Twitter reacts to a new political anthem

Nigel Farage thinks people should get the song to number one - but not everyone is so sure about the former Radio 1 DJ's musical efforts...

Huw Fullerton

Published: Monday, 20 October 2014 at 1:45 pm

It's the news we were all expecting to read this morning; former Radio 1 DJ and Saturday Superstore presenter Mike Read has released a reggae-influenced song in support of UKIP.

The track, UKIP Calypso, is performed by Read's band The Independents and is sung by the 67-year-old in what appears to be an attempt at a Jamaican accent.

Lyrics from the song include:

“The leaders committed a cardinal sin,
opened the borders let them all come in,
illegal immigrants in every town,
stand up and be counted Blair and Brown”

Before leading into the rousing chorus:

“Oh yes! When we take charge,
and the new Prime Minister is Farage,
We can trade with the world again,
When Nigel is at Number Ten.”

Heady stuff that has - as you might expect - attracted quite a reaction from the social media community...

First, comes explicit Twitter support of UKIP leader Nigel Farage:

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However, other people of the social network weren’t so sure how to react.

Some were confused and worried

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Some were pleased with a return to form from Read

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Some were concerned with the longer-term effects

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DJ Mike Reid's UKIP Calypso... so that's my next decade of therapy booked then...

— Adam Evans (@holyguacamole12) October 20, 2014

Particularly on their pets…

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Some questioned the accent

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One parody account wondered how the other political parties would react

We will counter the UKIP Calypso with William Hague & Theresa May doing a Conservative Hipity-hop Rap Battle, as Eric Pickles breakdances.

— David Cameron (@DavidChameron) October 20, 2014

And one user had high hopes for awards season

Really hope the UKIP Calypso wins a MOBO.

— Rhys James (@rhysjamesy) October 20, 2014

You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqs9OSbWluQ

Authors

Radio Times commissioning editor Huw Fullerton. He sits in front of a shelving unit, looking at the camera and smiling. He wears glasses and has a moustache

Huw FullertonCommissioning editor

Huw Fullerton is a commissioning editor for Radio Times magazine handling comedy, entertainment and specialist drama. In a previous regeneration, he covered all things sci-fi and fantasy for RadioTimes.com.

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