Written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster 1953

Part of 1000 Coolest, fifty of the greatest and most popular songs in history.

Martha Jane Cannary was a heavy-drinking frontierswoman, a famed fighter and buddy of Wild Bill Hickock. "Calamity Jane", named for her ability to leave chaos in her wake, has been played on film by Jean Arthur, Jane Russell, Ellen Barkin, and many more.

Her most famous film representation is in the 1953 musical makeover starring Doris Day. Jane's intriguing biographical details are glossed over. Heteronormative "wholesome romance" sees her swap boyish buckskin duds for girly pink frills, when we all know Jane wants to, um, share a sleeping bag with Adelaide Adams.

One thing that doesn't change: the rip-roaringly awesome songs. Day is a terrific singer and belts out "The Deadwood stage" with gusto. Listen to her and you can feel the wind whip through your hair, a trusty steed bouncing between your legs as dust flies up in clouds behind your hooves.

Tales From The Nursery – Part Twenty Seven

This is the house that Jack built This was never a favourite nursery rhyme of mine because it goes on and on with increasing complexity but, nonetheless, it is a fascinating example of what is known as a cumulative tale. Unlike many rhymes it doesn’t tell us much about Jack or his house but shows how the house was linked indirectly to other events and characters, including the man all tattered…

There Are Jewels In The Crown Of England’s Glory – Part Ten

Oi, oi, pin back your lugs for the next couplet of Ian Dury’s England’s Glory in our attempt to establish the quintessence of Englishness.

“Billy Fury, Little Titch/ Uncle Mac, Mr. Pastry and all/ Uncle Mac, Mr Pastry and all”.

To the consternation of parents and the older generation rock ‘n roll caught the imagination of the yoof in the mid-1950s. Many of the initial stars were American but…