Back of the Van

"Back of the Van" is a song by singer-songwriter Ladyhawke. It was her first single, and was from her debut album Ladyhawke. It was released on 1 April 2008 as a download only single from her website and MySpace. The track was re-released on 18 May 2009 as a limited edition single. The song was written by Ladyhawke and Michael Di Francesco.

Reviews

Femalefirst gave the song a positive review and has given it a 4 out of 5 star rating using the public vote. They wrote: "The result is a refreshing blend of rock, dance and pop. As well as writing 'Back of the Van', Pip also plays the drums, guitar and synth on the track".

The BBC wrote this about the song while reviewing her debut album: "while the utterly uplifting 'Back of the Van' is a tribute to just saying how you feel. As Ladyhawke reaches nervously for her new lover's hand it's impossible not to join in her sweet, unvarnished declaration, You set me on fire".

Exclaim wrote: "Brown unites her retro influences (classic rock, '80s dance, '00s rehashing of everything in the past) to mould her own unique lovechild. 'Back of the Van' is one of the catchiest songs I've heard so far in 2008, evoking the spirit of Fleetwood Mac and spinning disco much better than that half-assed remix of "Dreams" by Deep Dish".

The Van

The Van may refer to:

The Van (1977 film)

The Van is a low-budget teenage comedy film, primarily released to drive-in theaters in 1977. It was followed by the 1978 film Malibu Beach, in which Stephen Oliver reprised his role as bully Dugan Hicks.

Premise

The film tells the story of the high-school graduate Bobby, who buys a customized 1977 Dodge D300 Tradesman van (including a waterbed), with his college savings, in order to use it to pick up women. Bobby's desperate quest to have sex lead him into a number of disappointing experiences. His ultimate goal is to win over Sally, the blonde bombshell girlfriend of his arch nemesis Dugan. Dugan is a burly, tough, and heavily tattooed neighborhood bully who seems determined to have the fastest van in town.

Plot

Bobby and his best friend, Jack, sabotage their high-school graduation ceremony by rigging the stage to collapse. After leaving the graduation ceremony, Bobby and Jack (Harry Moses) drive up to another van and notice Sally (Connie Lisa Marie), his secret high-school crush, sitting alone inside, eating ice cream. Bobby cannot look away from her and expresses his fantasy to "be with" her just once. Dugan returns to the van and disapproves of Bobby's attention. Bobby and Jack run across Sue (Marcie Barkin) and Tina (Deborah White), and they attempt to arrange dates with them that evening. Sue is interested in Jack, but Tina states she is neither interested in Bobby nor other boys because they only care about sex.

The Van (novel)

The Van is a 1991 novel by Irish writer Roddy Doyle and the third novel in The Barrytown Trilogy, continuing the story from The Snapper (1990). It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize (1991).

Premise

The basis of the story is that Jimmy Rabbitte Sr. has been laid off from his job and has no money. His friend, Brendan "Bimbo" Reeves also gets laid off and gets a redundancy cheque. With this cheque the two friends decide to purchase a 'chipper' or Fish and Chips van. Jimmy and Bimbo's friendship gets strained, because Jimmy starts to believe that Bimbo and his wife Maggie are planning the work behind his back.

It continues the themes found in the other two novels of The Barrytown Trilogy and focuses on the elder Jimmy Rabbitte and his efforts at going into business with friends.

Film adaptation

Stephen Frears turned it into a film in 1996 starring Colm Meaney as Larry (renamed from Jimmy Rabbitte) and Donal O'Kelly as Brendan 'Bimbo' Reeves who he goes into business with.

References