A tear was shed by thousands yesterday as The Singing Kettle announced that it would perform for the final time at Aberdeen Music Hall in February.
Since Artie and Cilla’s arrival on the kids’ scene in 1982, theatres worldwide have been filled with happy children and fantastically themed costumes.
The folk-singing pair brought a whole a new meaning to children’s entertainment, leaving those in the business today with some rather large shoes to fill.
There’s not one person who wouldn’t be able to name a Singing Kettle, or at least recall a lyric or two.
Tunes like Bunny Fou Fou and I Lost My Meatballs are pretty hard to get our of your head after hearing them, while covers like Shove yer Granny and Quartermaster’s store were all-time favourites.
But if your memory’s needing a jog, here’s 11 Singing Kettle anthems you’ll definitely know.
1) The Bear Came Over the Mountain
Always a good opener, not so good for those who were scared of bears.
2) Shove yer Granny
This one drove school teachers mad as their class took to yelling it on the bus journey to every single school trip. There was no point asking them not to, you would only be overruled.
Skip to 2.26 to sing-along.
3) Bunny Fou Fou
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxWFJZIdc3E
Encouraging siblings to bop each other on the head since the 90s.
4) Quartermaster’s Store
AKA my eyes are dim I cannot see.
Skip to 1.14sec for giant glasses and a good old sing-along.
5) Swallowed by a Boa Constrictor
Artie getting lost inside a fabric snake. What more could you want?
6) Ten in the Bed
Remembering to tie a knot in your pyjamas is the moral of this story.
7) Apples and Bananas
This number from the Pirate Island shows tugged at the hearts of food lovers everywhere.
8) Air Guitar
Rockers, rejoice.
9) Over the Irish Sea
This classic cover was a hit with the kids on long car journeys.
Watch from 3.25 to recall the magic.
10) I Lost My Meatballs
Oh poor Cilla’s meatballs. Jump to 3.32 to find out what happened to them.
11) Spout, handle, lid of metal! What’s inside the Singing Kettle?????
Oh, did we miss one out? As if.
If you don’t remember what’s been listed so far, you’ll definitely know this one. Watch from the beginning to hear The Singing Kettle’s famous line one last time.