Shannon Ain't Dead (She's Under My Bed)

Album: Shannon Matthews: The Musical (2012)
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Songfacts®:

  • On May 3, 2007, Madeleine McCann disappeared off the face of the Earth from Praia da Luz where she was holidaying with her parents and siblings. The kidnapping and probable murder of this young girl has been the source of endless speculation, but it was also the source of inspiration to a particularly depraved woman.

    On the afternoon of February 19, 2008, 9-year-old Shannon Matthews disappeared from near her home in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. Obviously, this sparked a massive hunt, and as time passed the police and her schoolfriends in particular became increasingly concerned. Shannon was found alive and well on March 14, hiding under a divan bed at the home of Michael Donovan, the none too bright uncle of the then lover of Shannon's mother.

    Karen Matthews, her lover Craig Meehan and Michael Donovan were subsequently convicted of orchestrating the kidnapping, false imprisonment and drugging of Shannon. Matthews was given an eight year sentence and was reviled as one of the most evil women in Britain. The plan was apparently to release Shannon unharmed (drugging her aside) and for Matthews to sell the story to the press.

    If the disappearance of Madeleine McCann inspired the depraved Karen Matthews, Matthews inspired Mr K and his Gang in turn. They based Shannon Matthews: The Musical on the story, and this song is one of the best from it, its title is what Donovan might have said to the police, but in fact when Shannon was found, he was still hiding under the same divan. This is a song with a light, infectious melody, and nicely contrived lyrics. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

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