My music memory of Butlins comes from the era of Butlins Holiday Worlds, when the Minehead resort was known as Somerwest World. Even twenty years after this era came to an end, I can still feel the fun and meaning this had to me. The background of this photo is showing the Crazy Horse Saloon, which meant a great deal to me and continues to hold a strong place in my heart. Based in the Regency Building, this club would represent some amazing memories for me, and I loved every moment, giving me those special memories for many years later.
One of the Redcoats is a well-known celebrity, Stephen Mulhern, who would be the person who would play the music and then join in with the dances. I remember all the Redcoats on the stage, working hard as they would inspire us all to join in the fun and great times at the club. I have to admit that I miss this club a great deal, and I am very thankful for all the memories it has given me. Below is my memory of this special moment, with the music not in any particular order.
"Thank you to the Redcoats and all the staff during this time, you really helped me in a way that made me come out of depression, you all really have the spirit of Sir Billy Butlin in you. and know that your hard work has helped so many people".
The Redcoats kicked off the excitement by inviting us to dance the night away on the dance floor. We hurried to the dance floor in front of the stage as Superman started to play. The fun was just starting, and we were all grinning as we danced to the songs we adore. There were Redcoats on stage, some on the dance floor, and the bar and shop staff joined in, all performing the moves they had mastered quite well.
As the last song wrapped up, Stephan dashed off to kick off the next one, which promised to be another fantastic tune. The Redcoats on stage kept us grinning, and I recall the bar staff getting into the groove with every step. When the next song began, Stephan hurried back on stage just in time for the start. That was the moment we all yelled, "BUTLINS".
The best part was "oggy oggy.... oi oi" and "HERE WE GO, HERE WE GO, HERE WE GO "BUTLINS!!" HERE WE GO, HERE WE GO..."BUTLINS!!"
While you are imagining my memory of that great time at the Crazy Horse Saloon, you can see Stephan running off to put on the next song. The dance floor was now packed with so few people sitting down. The club was absolutely buzzing with a positive feeling as everyone was doing the moves to "AGADOO..." as we all joined in the fun. There were very few staff members doing nothing at this stage, as they were all involved in creating the Butlin's magic! WOW, what a memory listening to this now!
Oh yes, it was the moment when the Redcoats would say, "It's time to get in line as we do the conga!" Well, maybe not their exact words, but close enough. The Redcoats would lead and join the lines at different parts of the conga as we moved around the club. The bar staff would do a little one as we went around the club on the Crazy Horse Saloon tour. The fun was amazing as we all went around the aisles just having a good time. This was by far my favourite song of all and the most fun of all :) Oh..happy days!
We formed a big round circle on the dance floor as this song started. Wow, a tear came down my face at this memory. When the chorus came on, we all ran to the centre, not caring if we tripped, as we were all laughing.
Of course, we added the Butlins magic to the song "Woah, the hokey cokey, "BUTLINS!!", Wokey Woah, the hokey cokey "BUTLINS!!", woah, the hokey cokey "BUTLINS!!", knees bent, arms outstretched, Ra-ra-ra" and then came the best bit. ..."Ohhhh......wait for it...." and we did until "Woah, the hokey "BUTLINS!!", wokey Woah, the hokey cokey "BUTLINS!!", woah, the hokey cokey "BUTLINS!!","
By this stage, the Redcoats must have been exhausted as the time warp began, and the customers wanted more! I was one of them. No one was sitting down at this stage; the whole club was the positive vibe and feeling of Sir Billy Butlin in the room. Wow, I love those memories so much. I am so very, very grateful to all the Redcoats and the staff at Butlins for what they have done here. "LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!" Any Redcoats listening to these songs are not going to help themselves by dancing moves now, I know I am lol!
After all that dancing, it was time to sit down.... for another song! "Opps.....upside your head!"
I remember Stephan asking, "Can everyone sit in rows on the dance floor and follow the Redcoats moves... It's time for oops upside your head", and off we went as the song started, hands went up and started clapping, side to side, we all just had so much fun as everyone knew the song so well. Can you remember that bit of fun :)
Of course! No dance along can be one without the famous YMCA!
Everyone knew the moves to this famous song because everyone in the club was doing the moves. The redcoats, the bar staff, the occasional cleaner and even the security guards would do the moves. Imagine it now .... - the whole club doing the moves! The mood in the Crazy Horse Saloon was at an all-time high as everyone was having so much fun thanks to the Butlin's name!
You forget there is an outside world at this stage; you are having so much fun!
Not always played, but appeared, Star Trekkin...
You had to do it when it played, as it made you feel ready for the fast part. I remember the Redcoats looking so very tired, but they never wanted to stop the fun as it continued with everyone having the very best time.
It was not Saturday Night, but the song would come on the speakers.
Another song that was very popular at the time was this classic song. You could not help but do the moves to a song that was so very popular at the time.
