Chelsea Dagger

Album: Costello Music (2006)
Charted: 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lead singer Jon Fratelli (real name: John Lawler), wrote this song for his wife, who worked as a burlesque dancer with the stage name Chelsea Dagger (her real name is Heather). She performed at the Glasgow venue Club Noir, which according to Guinness World Records is the largest burlesque club in the world.
  • This was the first hit for The Fratellis, and it became a popular song among soccer fans, where it is often played at games. The Celtic team of the Scottish Premier League often uses the song.
  • The name "Chelsea Dagger" is a play on "Britney Spears." Get it? - Chelsea::Britney, Dagger::Spear.
  • John Lawler recalled to the Guardian newspaper June 27, 2008 about writing the song: "I remember the night I wrote it - I found the notebook with the lyrics the other night. It came to me really quickly. I was going [sings the familiar refrain] 'Do-do-do-do-do-do' and it was so easy to write that I couldn't believe nobody had ever used [the melody] before."
  • This was embraced as a theme song by 2010 NHL Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks during their successful season, which culminated in them winning their first championship since 1961.
  • This is by far the band's best-known work, but Jon Fratelli calls it "just another song." "I really never have, and never will, think about it in any special way," he said in 2013. "It's just a song in the middle of a bunch of others songs. I hadn't even written 'Chelsea Dagger' when we got our first record deal. So I know that there was other stuff that people were interested in."

    Jon adds that the song has been wonderful for the band, as its royalties have supported them financially.

Comments: 16

  • Strigeidida from Medford, WiI wonder if Mr. Fratelli understands that, while the song might not matter much to him, it might be immensely meaningful to someone else. By that standard, it might be useful to value the opinions of of his fans, if not of his creations.
  • Winsorian from London, UkA blagger around South East England is someone who can talk his way through anything (blag their out of any situation)
  • Paul Osman from Liverpool, E NglandThe song borrows it's intro from Marvin Gaye's "You're A Wonderful One".Although this song by the Fratellis is different it never fully leaves Gaye's intro behind.
  • Eskae from AustraliaWho are little steven and joanna?
  • Jack Johnson from HicksvilleWhat Are All Of These Girls/Young Women Wearing In The Music Video For Chelsea Dagger By The Fratellis?

    This Might Be 1 Of The Strangest Music Videos Of All-Time.

    What About The Girl/Young Woman Whose Feet We See At The Beginning Of The Music Video?

    I Always Seem To Believe That At Least Some Of Them Are Dancing Around In 1 Piece Bathing Suits,Leotards & Bodysuits In The Music Video.

    I Would Be Surprised If Someone Says That They're All Wearing Underwear Because I Wish That I Knew What I Need To Do If I See A Girl/Young Woman Either Dancing Around In Her Underwear Or Walking Around In Her Underwear,Especially If She Does Either 1 Of Them Or Both Of Them In Public.

    Why Is It That Near The End Of The Music Video When They Do Their Kicklines They Lift Their Legs Up A Little Bit & They Don't Lift Them Up So High That They At Least Come Close To Doing It In A Way That The Toes On Their Feet Are Over Their Heads Like We See Happening In A Lot Of Shows?

    I Would Be Very Surprised If Someone Tells Me That It's Because They're Not Limber Enough To Do That Because I Believe That All Of Them Are Very Limber.

    It Would Be Great If They Could Do Their Kicklines The Same Way That The Rockettes Do Their Kicklines,Because When The Rockettes Do Their Kicklines They At Least Come Very Close To Lifting Their Feet Over Their Heads.

    A Lot Of Those Groups With Dancers That Do Kicklines At Least Come Very Close To Lifting Their Feet Over Their Heads.

    Why Is It That When The Girls/Young Women Do Their Kicklines Near The End Of The Music Video Their Thighs & Perhaps Also Their Butts Kind Of Like Jiggle Instead Of Staying In Place?

    Which Of Those Girls/Young Women In The Music Video Is Supposed To Be Chelsea Dagger?

    Can You Identify All Of The Girls/Young Women That I See In The Music Video?

    Can You Identify The Girl/Young Woman That I See At The 1:00 Mark Of The Music Video,When We First See Her Feet & Then Her Face & Also Tell Me What She Is Wearing?
  • Jack Johnson from Hicksville,new YorkWhat Are All Of Those Girls/Young Women Wearing In The Official Music Video For This Song?
  • Haiden Key from Malibu, CaliforniaI think Chelsea is meant to rhyme with Britney.
  • Jack Russell from New York City, NyChelsea could be a substitute for Britney in that they are both rather trendy late 20th Century Women's names with two syllables and I'm not Brit .. but I believe Chelsea is a district in London while Britney obviously has roots from Brittain or Brittany (a northern part of France close to England). Rumor has it if the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup the Fratelli's may play during the parade/celebration.
  • Phil from Edmonton, Abhow does Chelsea equal Britney?
  • Indigo from Adelaide, AustraliaI still don't know what blagger means- there are three possible meaning listed here! maybe it can mean all three. anyway, this song is so catchy, i agree with john fratelli, i can't believe no one has ever used the melodie before.
  • Jared from Superior,wi, WiThe Chicago Blackhawks play this after every goal and win.
  • Rach from Yorkshire, United KingdomHello, I'm from England and use this term a lot! A blagger is someone who can wing it or lie convincingly.

    Shall we blag it? Shall we make it up as we go along.

    I blagged it off him. I talked him into giving me it for free.

    A blagger is generally a smooth tongued sob who can think on their feet and talk a good game.
  • Sasha from Winston, MsActually, a "blagger" is a term for a burglar in North England. :)
    ...this song is amazing.
  • Alexx from Las Vegas, NvA 'blagger' is like an obscenely good salesman, I do believe.
  • Ella from Hobart, AustraliaWhat exactly is a blagger?
  • Stephen from Glasgow, ScotlandThe Fratellis are celtic supporters and this is why it is played at their matches.
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