There's money and fame and recognition from the public, platinum disks, awards and special appearances.

Then there's the kind of recognition that would amaze, delight and crinkle the cords of your old English teacher.

That's what's happened to Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys this week when he was the subject of The Guardian's Great Lyricists series.

Number seven in a series of eight, the Sheffield singer's work rightly stands alongside Bruce Springsteen and Morrissey.

The portrayal of his - and millions of others' - experience is brilliantly observed and beautifully put in the band's songs.

The analysis and praise of Alex Turner's work is by Huddersfield poet and academic Simon Armitage and overall it is an insightful and generous piece.

Then for one line he takes the Guardian tone that has to distance itself from sport and pop music by being just a little bit snooty and patronising.

"Where he gets it from is one of popular music's great mysteries," says Mr Armitage.

"In interview he's no Oscar Wilde, and in conversation he offers few clues as to the origins of such ingenious lyricism."

What? He gets it from a natural talent with language and observation, a desire to express his view of the world and an intuitive understanding of the way life works. Just like you do Mr Armitage. No mystery at all.

Tide turns against Brown's Labour

IT'S ONLY Henley and they have as much chance of being elected there as Stalin in 1930s Berlin but Labour are deep in the electoral do-do.

While the poshest of the posh south east is not an area Gordon Brown will be too concerned about losing in, he has real problems.

Fifth place behind the BNP, even in Henley, is mercilessly bad news.

Not because of what toffs are saying by the Thames but because it's everywhere.

People not normally drawn to political discussion are declaring themselves ex-Labour, anti-Brown or undecided.

Bars, bus queues, factories and offices are full of dissent on prices, wages, taxes and the war. The tide has well and truly turned.

Birthday issues for favourite puppet

SOOTY has changed hands.

The strangely amusing bear turns 60 this year and has finally been bought by Richard Cadell who first became Sooty's adoptive 'Dad' ten years ago.

The rights to the bear were bought from the Corbett family for a six-figure sum.

Harry Corbett bought the original bear for just over a shilling in 1948 and he handed him on to his son Matthew.

It's great news that the silent bear will live on but what about Sweep, Soo, Butch and the long-lamented Ramsbottom?

Are they part of the new family or are they locked away in an old cardboard suitcase somewhere?

I think we should be told.

READ MORE
Your letters.
Today's features.
Latest sport.
Main news index.