It’s not very British to plead for votes, is it? But in the words of the classic Temptations song, on this occasion I ain’t too proud to beg.
The biggest and most important public vote of the year is upon us. I don’t mean the general election on May 7th. Nor am I talking about the live stages of BBC1’s The Voice over the next three weekends. I am, of course, referring to the BiBs 2015: the BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards.
The first round of nominations for the 12 categories opens today and continues until April 12th, with ten shortlisted blogs for each award going through to the next round, with the winners being announced at BritMums Live on June 19th.
Whether you’re a fellow blogger or just a reader, here are three reasons why I would love you to consider nominating me for any award, but in particular the Writer category (or the Family one):
1. I’d be chuffed to bits.
2. It will stop me from begging on Twitter in a most unseemly and un-British manner – and who wants to see that?
3. Er, see reasons one and two.
Seriously though, whoever your favourite parenting, family and lifestyle blogs are, do please take a few minutes to nominate them. Click on the BiBs badges to the right and then the link at the bottom of the page to make your nominations. There are so many fantastic bloggers out there who are deserving of recognition that it would be a crying shame not to.
As part of the nominations process you’re asked to (optionally) suggest examples of blog posts from your nominated bloggers. Here are a few you might like to consider:
A letter to myself, from a father of three to a father of none
Five things I’ll miss when you grow up
10 types of people you meet on social media
The real stars of #SingleDadWeek
Get voting – and good luck to all my fellow parenting bloggers!
Finally, many of you will know that I do love my music, so in the spirit of this post – and because I need little excuse to spend 20 minutes wallowing in nostalgia on YouTube – here are five of my favourite ‘begging’ songs:
1. Ain’t Too Proud To Beg – The Temptations (1966)
One of a host of classic Motown songs from the band that also gave us My Girl and Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, this track was also later covered by the Rolling Stones. There aren’t many better endorsements than that.
2. Beggin’ – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (1967)
Before the Beatles came along, the Four Seasons had a strong case to be the most popular pop band on the planet, bringing us timeless hits such as Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Walk Like a Man. Beggin’ was one of their later efforts but it’s still a classic.
3. Beggin’ – Madcon (2008)
Yes, it’s that Four Seasons song again – this time a more contemporary cover by the Norwegian hip-hop duo Madcon. It’s a version that puts a distinctive modern spin on the track while remaining surprisingly faithful to the original. I rather like it.
4. Beg, Steal or Borrow – The New Seekers (1972)
The UK’s entry in the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest, this ended up in second place (behind Luxembourg) and also reached number two in the UK singles chart.
5. I Beg Your Pardon – Kon Kan (1989)
I’m something of an aficionado of all things Eighties, and even I barely remember this. Kon Kan were a Canadian group and this track, which samples Lynn Anderson’s 1971 hit (I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden, made it into the top five. Give me the original, twee as it is, any day.
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