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Harry, 13, hits fever pitch with his swine flu song
Mark Prigg8 May 2009
Most teenagers with an unexpected week off school might be expected to spend it on the sofa, updating Facebook or watching daytime television. Not Harry Houseago.
The precocious 13-year-old, who was sent home after five pupils at his school developed swine flu, took the opportunity to compose Ode To Tamiflu.
With verses that rhyme "sneezing" with "believing" and include an "oh Tamiflu" refrain, the song has already become a hit on YouTube.
Harry, a pupil at Alleyn's School in Dulwich, which has been closed all week, has been writing music for years and last week won the regional heat of a major talent competition. He said he felt inspired by the warnings on the packet of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu, which Alleyn's pupils were ordered to take as a precaution.
"We were quite surprised when we heard the school was closed, but it's actually been great being at home," said Harry. "I've been writing loads of songs, and it's been really productive. The Tamiflu song didn't take too long to write, and came about after we looked at the warnings on the Tamiflu packet of potential side-effects, which seemed to be a lot worse than the swine flu symptoms. It seemed like fun to try and turn it into a song."
However, Harry admits that the song does take some "artistic" licence with the real effects of the drug. "I've been taking Tamiflu for a few days now, and haven't actually had any side- effects at all - it's been fine." Harry, from Tulse Hill, was already an accomplished musician who plays "everything", and on Sunday won the London heat of a national contest called Live and Unsigned, impressing judges and members of the audience at a live gig.
He will be competing next month at the national finals, in front of 2,000 people, and the winner will receive a £20,000 recording contract. He is also classed as the "house band" at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he spends two hours a week playing requests on a radio show.
"We're a very musical family, and we actually play as a band most weekends," said Annie Houseago, Harry's mother, who works as a music teacher. "My husband is a drummer, and my other son a pianist so we play a lot of charity concerts together. We've always been very musical, and I sing and play guitar. I taught Harry to play when he was three, although he's now a lot better than me. "We loved the Tamiflu song when we heard it, so we've uploaded the song to YouTube, and hope it will do well. We're incredibly proud of Harry."
Ode To Tamiflu, by Harry Houseago
Lying at home in my bed
When I should be having maths instead
But they've closed up my school
'Cos some children were sneezing
And they got us believing
That we'll all be ill and get the swine flu
The doctors gave us some pills
Saying "This is so you won't get ill"
So stay at home
Study on your own
Oh Tamiflu, what did you do?
I was fine before you came along
And now I've got a pain in my head
So I think I'd better stay in bed
I get to watch the TV
And no one bothers me
I fall asleep and wake up feeling queasy
And ev'rything's reeling,
It's not very pretty
I'll have to go ... to the loo again
I remember they gave us pills
Saying "This is so you won't get ill"
But now I know
This is worse than any cold
Oh Tamiflu, it's down to you
That I'm feeling slightly nauseous
And now I've got a pain in my head
So I think I'd better stay in bed.
* Alleyn's is expected to re-open on Monday.
Reader views (3)
Well done Harry for looking on the bright side of what could potentially be a serious global event. We need 'positive' people like you to maintain a sense of perspective. Keep Well!!!
- Liz Honeysett, Barnstaple, Devon, 09/05/2009 22:21
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I think you are correct Neil. In Japan Harry would not be allowed Tamiflu.
- Mary, London, 08/05/2009 13:26
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Good for him, although Tamiflu has reportedly adverse reactions in teenagers, including psychosis!
- Neil, London, London UK, 08/05/2009 12:38
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