Hi - I am a longterm fan of both Mr. Gaiman's work and also that of Douglas Adams, about whom Mr. Gaiman obviously wrote a fine non-fiction book back in the day, and I have a question about something that may or may not be common knowledge to bigger Gaiman fans than I.

I have a 7-inch vinyl single of the theme music to 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', issued I think by BBC Records but I'd have to check. On the B-side is a short extract from Peter Jones as the Book talking about the band Disaster Area, who are of course well-known in the H2G2 universe. This is followed by a song purporting to be performed by Disaster Area. Here's the thing: the song is called 'Only The End of the World Again', and there is of course a Gaiman story with that same title.

The record dates from no later than 1980. Does anyone know if Mr. Gaiman knows the record or not? Having written an entire book on H2G2, I would assume that he does. This is not an accusation of plagiarism or anything, as the song has nothing to do with the story.

Hello, Lexo, and welcome to the forum - we hope you enjoy your stay (I am legion). While I like Mr Adams and have read most of his work, I couldn't categorically state whether or not the interesting supposition you have made is true, however, on the balance of things, and knowing full well that Mr Gaiman is not adverse to drawing upon elements and characters from his life to augment his works (Tori Amos as Delirium in the Sandman series, Jonathon Ross and Jane Goldman in The Facts of the Disappearance of Miss Finch short story in Smoke and Mirrors), I would have to agree that what you propose (and your encyclopediac knowledge is really quite impressive) is most likely the truth. Mr Gaiman, is however, somewhat mysterious and conservative about revealing the secret ingredients that go into his concotions (like any good alchemist) though I say this in a non-disparaging manner, for he isn't being coy or obtuse - as Cain said in A Parliament of Rooks, (paraphrasing quite badly, as is my wont) 'A secret isn't a secret any more once you tell it; it loses it's magic, it's power.' Perhaps we should put it to a vote (beats drawing white or black stones out of a bag)? I give you an unequivocal AYE!