Reincarnation

As sung by Victoria Wood on Victoria Wood real life—the songs, CD number OMCD1212, and featured in Lucky Bag: The Victoria Wood Song Book, 2nd edition published 1992 by Methuen, ISBN 0-7493-0819-2

Without wishing to baffle the lay reader with too many song writing technicalities, this song was what we in showbusiness call a ‘bugger to write’. You try thinking up two rhymes for ‘flip-flops’ and you’ll see what I mean.

Well I’m sorry, God, I have to say
One life per person is not enough
(Not enough).
I would like to live more lives than this.
If you don’t agree then tough,
T,U,UFF.

There are other lives going on I haven’t lived,

Which gives me a sense of frustration
(Frustration).
I’m not bothered about being Joan of Arc or Mary Queen of Scots.
I just fancy twentieth century reincarnation.

I’d like to keep coming back
And trying a different track.
I’d like to go round and round,

Cos I never feel I’ve got this right.
It isn’t a proper scheme.
I just want to let off steam.
We all have to have a dream,
And I’m following my dream tonight.
I want to be Mrs Pugh
And live in an Avenue.
I want to have bing bong chimes
And a bathroom with a champagne suite.
In my candlewick dressing gown
I want to put Harpic down.
If my ironing smells quite fresh,
Then my happiness will be complete.

I’ll wear an apron when I chop my veggies,
Have tiny cactus on my window ledges,
Have a roller blind with scalloped edges.

I will never use a wok, so
I prefer to stick to Mrs Beeton,
Have a hob which I then re-heat on,
Use my toaster with the ears of wheat on.
I will do a lot with Oxo.

I want to be Martin Jones,
A salesman for mobile phones.
I want to shake hands a lot,

Sit in wine bars when I make my sales.
I want to drink warm Rosé,
Keep saying, No way José
And live in a Docklands flat
With a mortgage that’s the size of Wales.

I’ll keep my bottle when the market’s crashing,
Be super-cool when profits take a bashing.
I’ll cross the crossing when the green man’s flashing.

I’m a devil on a zebra.
I’ll meet a girl and feel a good vibration,
Give her flowers for a nice flirtation,
Three carnations from a petrol station,
Take her for an Aqua Libra.

I want to be Pauline Park
And work as an invoice clerk.
I want to eat Lean Cuisine,


Even though I’m eight stone three.
I’ll sit and I’ll fantasise
About cruel men with piercing eyes,
Then I’ll microwave two mincepies
And have them with a cup of tea.

I’ll watch a thriller if it’s not to gory,
A mini-series if I like the story.
I think there ought to be more Nana Mouskouri.

No, I never have the news on.
Doctor Scholl will be my favourite sandal.
Higher heels than that I cannot handle.
Saw Barry Manilow and held my candle.
Wax was running down my blouson.

I want to be Vera Paige,
A dame of a certain age.
I want to have big red lips

And a cleavage that could drown a mouse.
I want to call all men swine,
Have visible panty line,
Have sing-songs on British wine.
I always have it in the house.

I’ll be known in all the pubs and chip-shops.
Dangly jewellery and sequinned zip tops,
Tracksuit bottoms and stiletto flip flops,

I’ll really be in the groove, eh?
Never take a bus if I can cab it.
Offer me a bit of life, I’ll grab it.
My libido would defeat a rabbit
And I’ll never clean the duvet.

I want to be Eileen Gumm,
Who calls herself ‘just a mum’.
I want to have three big lads

And a husband that I’ve driven nuts.
I’ll struggle and sacrifice
To make sure they have things nice.
I’ll give them such good advice.
They’ll absolutely hate my guts

I’ll make a bag for them to take their pumps in.
I’ll make pyjamas they can have their mumps in.
My mashed potato will have big grey lumps in.

I’ll control each family member.
I’ll make them gather round the Christmas table
And eat until to move they are unable.
They’ll wish that Joseph never found that stable.
I’ll put my sprouts on in November.

I think it’s a giant con
We can’t all be everyone.
I want to go round and round

Just living every life in sight.
It isn’t a proper scheme.
I just had to let off steam.
We all have to have a dream,
And I’ve been following my dream,
Following my dream,
Following my dream,
Tonight

© Victoria Wood