Rapha – music inspired by the brand

Did you see Rapha’s CD of music for the Giro d’Italia? I’ve turned the tables around with my own suggestions for a Rapha CD, featuring artists such as Radiohead, Roxette and Serge Gainsbourg.

Inspired by the London cycle clothing brand, with its mix of quality clothing, ersatz imagery and its massive appropriation of French and Italian cycling iconography, this soundtrack travels through both time and Europe with an eclectic mix of music and sound to celebrate what risks becoming the most ironic clothing brand in the sport.

For the road-racing connoisseur, the playlist is the ideal accompaniment to any Sunday morning outing. This album combines 16 tracks of rock, funk, punk and more to reflect the varied culture and faux-heritage of the brand.

Accompanying the music are the semi-authentic sounds of cheeky-chappy London, la France profonde and bellissima Italia. Perfetto!

1. Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees
2. The Pharcyde – Back In The Day
3. Chas n’ Dave – That Old Piano
4. Jane’s Addiction – Been Caught Stealing
5. Roxette – Dressed for Success

— interlude, Family Guy speaks Italian —

6. Neil Young – Piece of Crap
7. The Smiths – Every Day is Like Sunday
8. Zazie – Tout le monde il est beau

— interlude on the Paris Métro —

9. Johnny Hammond – Shiftin’ Gears
10. Placebo – Nancy Boy
11. The Clash – London Calling
12. Grace Jones – Slave to the Rythm

— interlude with a cockney sock puppet —

13. The Libertines – Narcissist (the French sessions)
14. The Brand New Heavies – Dream On Dreamer
15. Dire Straits – Money For Nothing
16. Serge Gainsbourg – Requiem pour un con