I think Peter Mandelson was the main target of this lyric, although the connection between that 1997 Labour Government and spin doctoring more generally was fast becoming evident.
I don’t remember this lyric being used, but I was attending the show a lot less by then.
SPIN TALK WIZARD
(To the Tune of “Pinball Wizard”)
VERSE 1
Ever since I was a young man, I’ve addressed the Labour halls,
From Blackpool down to Brighton, I must have roused them all;
But I ain’t seen no-one like him, his tongue’s shaped like a fork;
That slime Peter Mandelson, sure plays a mean spin talk.VERSE 2
Stands like a statue, he’s the heart of Blair’s machine,
Not one hair’s misplaced cos, he always wears Brylcream;
Spins with intuition, the Tories take a walk,
That geek Peter Mandelson, sure gives a mean spin talk.CHORUS 1
He’s the Blair spin doctor,
There has to be a twist,
That Blair spin doctor,
Knows how to use his wrist.MIDDLE EIGHT
How do you think he does it?
(Pure bullshit),
In Armani suits.VERSE 3 – PETER MANDELSON HIMSELF
Even on their favourite subjects, Tories lose my twist,
My disciples lead me in, even ‘tho’ they don’t exist;
I’m a future Labour leader, anyone can see;
‘Tho’ that damned Trot Ken Livingstone, got on the NEC.CHORUS 3
He’s the Blair spin doctor,
It has to be a joke;
Cos that Blair spin doctor is,
Such a twisted bloke.MANDELSON: They mean that in the most positive way. BLACKOUT
The video below has The Who playing Pinball Wizard with the lyrics on the screen:
