The Too British Song

I wrote this in response to all the reviews, both positive and negative, that felt that Rivers of London (aka Midnight Riot) was a 'little bit too British'.

The British Song
(With apologies to Alanis Morisette)

I chose a young man to be my hero
He’s a stoical lad who doesn’t complain
It’s about making a joke of your own pain
It’s about being the one who has to know
And isn’t it quite British… don’t you think?

Chorus
It’s like expecting rain on a sunny day
It’s about taking joy in the things that you say
It’s knowing from the start that the joke’s on you
And who would’ve thought… it’s British

He can insult you without having to try
He’ll apologise too without knowing why.
He’ll go his whole damn life without starting a fight.
But if you push him too far, it’s true
You won’t find it so nice
And isn’t it so British… don’t you think?

Chorus

Well the world is more than what you used to
When you think everything’s the same as your own neighbourhood
And the world is much bigger place
And it doesn’t owe you an explanation for the things you
Don’t understand.

It’s doing the job without making a fuss
It’s being good friends without having to gush
It’s about leaving people alone even if they are quite odd
It’s about winning a race
And not thanking god.
And isn’t it quite British …don’t you think
A little too British…and, yeah, I really don’t think…

Chorus
26 likes ·   •  9 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 26, 2015 22:00
Comments Showing 1-9 of 9 (9 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by April (new)

April The clue is in the title (of the uk edition at least) why would a book called rivers of London be anything other than British?


message 2: by Tiuri (new)

Tiuri I love the Britishness!!!


message 3: by Sophie (new)

Sophie Leary Too British..? Maybe that why it's such a cool book... and why I loved it so much...!


message 4: by Marti (new)

Marti Dolata Complaining that your books are too British is like complaining that a hot fudge Sunday tastes too much of chocolate! A VERY large part of their charm is the sense of place and their Britishness. These are the sort of people who, when they visit London insist at eating at MacDonalds rather than a funky Jamaican restaurant or the local curry shop.( This happened to me when I lived in England.) I'm American.


message 5: by Emily (new)

Emily Read This very much amused me. May have stuck this on and had a bit of a sing song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNaCc...


message 6: by Alison (new)

Alison Moseley Weird? I guess some folks think everything is about the U.S. Don't you go changing Ben.


message 7: by Alison (new)

Alison Moseley Marti wrote: "Complaining that your books are too British is like complaining that a hot fudge Sunday tastes too much of chocolate! A VERY large part of their charm is the sense of place and their Britishness. T..."

Now I want to go eat at a Funky Jamaican restaurant. I do have a curry in the slow cooker that may cause blindness at least.


message 8: by Marion (new)

Marion Terrell Just read your first 4 Peter Grant books in a row, and they made me want to visit London even more than I already do. After every book I tried to find some of the places on Google earth :-)


message 9: by Faith (new)

Faith Asdell One of the things I really enjoy about the books is their Britishness.


back to top