What I Go to School For

"What I Go to School For" is the debut single by English pop punk band Busted. It was written by James Bourne, Charlie Simpson, Matt Willis, Steve Robson, and John McLaughlin and produced by Steve Robson. The song was inspired by a teacher that Matt Willis had a crush on at school.

"What I Go to School For"
Single by Busted
from the album Busted
Released16 September 2002
Recorded2002
GenrePop rock, power pop
Length
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Steve Robson
Busted singles chronology
"What I Go to School For"
(2002)		 "Year 3000"
(2003)

The song was released on 16 September 2002 and reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. A young Jade Ewen from girl group Sugababes appeared in the music video.

Background

In 2003, the real-life inspiration for the song was revealed to be Matt Willis' former teacher Michelle Blair, who made a surprise appearance on The Frank Skinner Show on ITV during an interview with Willis. Blair, who was 28 and had been married for three years at the time of her appearance on The Frank Skinner Show, was Willis' dance teacher at the Sylvia Young Theatre School when Willis was 15. Speaking about the surprise appearance with Willis on the show, Blair said: "It was hilarious – he looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. I only found out the song was about me after it came out – it's really flattering."[1][2] Blair said that at the time she was not aware of her pupil's crush on her, but that she did remember him from the dance classes: "He was quite cheeky and charming and always had something to say in class. He used to tell us he was in a band, but I never dreamed they were going to be this big and I certainly hadn't a clue I was going to feature in one of their songs!"[1]

Commenting on the veracity of these events as portrayed in the song, Blair said: "I think he's used a bit of artistic licence in the song. It was a dance class so we never used any pencils but I suppose he had ample opportunity to look at my bum. There was never any tree outside my bedroom window though – I think I might have noticed a Peeping Tom."[2] Reflecting on his time under the tutelage of Miss Blair, Willis said, "She was kind of nice and there was always something really sexy about her."[2] Being identified as the object of adolescent lust, and the subject of a pop song, hasn't caused any friction with her husband, according to Blair: "My husband thinks its (sic) hilarious and takes the mickey. I don't think he's really worried I'm going to run off with a pop star. I'm proud of them. Looking back it was obvious Matt had what it takes."[2]

On 29 October 2012, Michelle Blair appeared as the correct answer in the "line-up" section of BBC Two panel Never Mind the Buzzcocks.[3]

Musical

What I Go to School For became the title of a musical theatre production[4] produced by Youth Music Theatre UK following the story of Busted from their origins in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, through to their break-up in 2005. The musical was written by Elliot Davis with songs from the Busted albums and new music by James Bourne. It was directed by Steven Dexter and played at the Theatre Royal, Brighton in 2016.

Music video

The video for the song features model Lorna Roberts as Miss McKenzie, the object of the band's desire.[5][6] Then 14-year-old Jade Ewen, who later joined the Sugababes, appears in the video as a schoolgirl.[7][8]

Track listings

Charts and certifications

Cover versions

References
  1. "BBC - Beds, Herts and Bucks Theatre - Miss McKenzie". bbc.co.uk.
  2. "BUSTED'S MATT LUSTED FOR ME; I'm so flattered says real-life sexy teacher". thefreelibrary.com.
  3. Blair, Michelle (29 October 2012). "@david_leighton hahahah DAVID!!!!!!! Omg.... It was hysterical!... I miss you too much :) xx". Twitter. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  4. http://www.youthmusictheatreuk.org/thebustedmusical
  5. McGeorge, Alastair (6 January 2016). "Busted reunited with Miss McKenzie as the boys get back with their high school crush for new video". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  6. "The Screening Room". judgmentofparis.com.
  7. Copsey, Rob (6 October 2015). "Are Busted reforming? Their Official Top 10 songs revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  8. Limited, London Theatre Direct (11 May 2018). "Q&A with Aladdin star Jade Ewen". www.londontheatredirect.com. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  9. What I Go to School For (UK enhanced CD single sleeve). Busted. Universal Records. 2002. MCSXD40294, 019 330-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. What I Go to School For (UK cassette single sleeve). Busted. Universal Records. 2002. MCSC 40294, 019 331-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. "Australian-charts.com – Busted – What I Go to School For". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  12. "Austriancharts.at – Busted – What I Go to School For" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  13. "Hits of the World – Eurochart Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 5 October 2002. p. 63. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  14. "Offiziellecharts.de – Busted – What I Go to School For". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  15. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – What I Go to School For". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  16. "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 50, saptamina 16.12–22.12, 2002" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 17 February 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  17. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  18. "Swisscharts.com – Busted – What I Go to School For". Swiss Singles Chart.
  19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  20. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  21. "British single certifications – Busted – What I Go to School For". British Phonographic Industry.
  22. Ascap entry for song ASCAP, accessed 22 October 2010
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