Ian Dury was one of my heroes.
He had an attitude, but more than that he was good.
Some people have got attitude but not much else.
Some people are good at what they do, but dull.
I like it when people have got an attitude but can back it up.
People like Mohammed Ali, Brian Clough, Paul Arden, Charlie Saatchi.
When they break, or even ignore, the rules and get away with it.
One of the things that made Ian great was his lyrics.
These rhymes shouldn’t work, but they do.
Some of them are ungrammatical, bad English.
Some of the words aren’t even real words.
But they work.
He ignores the rules and gets away with it.
That’s what I love.
Try this verse from ‘Billericay Dickie’.
“Had a love affair with Nina
in the back of my Cortina.
A seasoned-up hyena
could not have been more obscener.
She took me to the cleaners,
and other misdemeanours.
But I got right up between her
Rum and her Ribena.”
Or this from ‘Ain’t Half Been Some Clever Bastards’.
“Einstein can’t be classed as witless.
He claimed atoms were the littlest.
When he did a bit of splittingness:
frightened everybody shitless.”
Or, from his play ‘Apples’, a prison warden singing to a convict.
“Locked up in your flowery-dell,
got everything you need?
You’re on our list,
recidivist.
We’ll tuck you up.
We’ll fuck you up.
We’ll make your kidneys bleed.”
One day he showed me some lyrics he hadn’t even worked into songs yet.
One line I’ll always remember.
“Cruise with me down carnality canal in my canoe, while we canoodle.”
Just one line, how great is that?
Ian loved Harry Champion, one of the all-time great lyricists.
Working in the music halls in the 1920s.
In those days there wasn’t any radio, or TV, or the internet to spread your songs.
Your songs either caught on with people straight away, or the songs just died.
And everyone learned Harry Champion’s songs so they could sing them.
Look at lyrics like this, and you can see where Ian Dury was influenced.
This is ‘Cover It Over Quick Jemima’
(Verse)
“While working on a building site I tore me corduroys.
Soon I was surrounded by a crowd of girls and boys.
Me wife she brought me dinner round and had a fright because
I shouted as I showed her what a nasty tear it was…..”
(Chorus)
“Cover it over quick Jemima,
Cover it over quick.
Put me dinner upon the ground,
while you’re making me trousers sound.
I’ll catch cold if you’re more than half a tick.
The dog’ll be off with me little mince pies,
so cover it over quick.”
In fact, Ian even called his daughter Jemima, after that song.
She was a lovely girl and very well brought up.
She went to a surprisingly posh school.
I once asked her what it was like at school having a rock star for a dad.
In cut-glass tones she said, “Well it can be a bit awkward when one’s friend’s fathers are Air Vice Marshals and Rear Admirals, and one’s own father’s just released a record beginning, “Arseholes, bastards, fucking cunts, and pricks.”
Yup.
You have to grow old, but you don’t have to grow up.
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Dave
I can see similarities and hilarities.
I grew up listening to Ian Dury.
and Plaistow Patricia was one of my favourite songs.
plus this one:
18-wheeler Scammels, Domenecker camels
All other mammals plus equal votes
Seeing Piccadilly, Fanny Smith and Willy
Being rather silly, and porridge oats
A bit of grin and bear it, a bit of come and share it
You’re welcome, we can spare it - yellow socks
Too short to be haughty, too nutty to be naughty
Going on 40 - no electric shocks
The juice of the carrot, the smile of the parrot
A little drop of claret - anything that rocks
Elvis and Scotty, days when I ain’t spotty,
Sitting on the potty - curing smallpox
another great post but what’s the back story?
did you and Ian go to Walthamstow together?
also, is it true Ian and the Blockheads originally recorded Relax but Frankie had the hit?
cheers again
gareth
Hmm, Dave.
Brings back to mind how 31 years back, after me O-levels, I looking for Ian’s records.
One of the infantile things classmate of mine, now a lawyer, did did was to step into record shops and ask blushing sales girls, “Kiss You All Over” - a song by “Exile”.
Not very clever, but at that time, it was a high point in our pre-net days.
By the way,off-hand, would you know any book of Ian and Harry’s lyrics?
Would make for fascinating reading.
Thanks.
Hi Ian,
I’d love to do a post about knowing Ian, because I’ve got some good stories.
But I was worried it might just look like name dropping.
http://ex-blank-page.blogspot.com/2009/06/in-reply-to-daves-great-posts-45.html
_______________________________________________
“But I was worried it might just look like name dropping.”
You worry too much, Dave — it sounds like growing up and that’s clearly not you.
So stop worrying and start writing.
Don’t think it would be name dropping, Dave.
Like you, I think most of us like people who have attitude/ knowledge and can hack it.
Regards
ian dury was an anomaly. he had quite the way with words. how did you meet him?
Don’t be a Blockhead, Dave. We want a paean to Ian. Think of it as keeping him alive. Punk needs you!
Hi Dave,
you’ve been a real inspiration to me. Before I’ve started reading your blog I’ve been doing shitty press ads and posters. Now I moved to another level, now I’m doing shitty brochures.
Thanks Dave!
rachel, of course there’s the school of thought that says Ian dury wasn’t punk at all. like elvis costello he just happened to come along at the same time and so…wake up rachel!
(ps: captcha reads “quiver medaille”. #mynewbandname)
Dear Vinny, What d’you mean Elvis Costello isn’t a punk? You’ll be saying Dave isn’t a punk next. (Though technically Dave may be a Mod.) Punk is attitude. Thanks for mentioning Elv, my all time second favourite lyricist next to the mighty Leonard Cohen.
‘There’s a crack, a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’ if you haven’t seen Judd Apatow’s ‘Walk Hard ‘The Dewy Cox Story’ it’s the funniest history of modern music spoof movie ever made. Especially the ‘punk’ bit. ‘
Rachel, I’ve just named my second son Leonard, after the wonderful Mr. Cohen. And hey, so far, he’s been as chilled as the Zen master himself. Did you catch any of the London shows last year?
Gareth, Anca, Robin, Vinny and Rachel.
Okay I’ll write a post on my relationship with Ian.
But I’ll blame you guys if anyone says it’s showing off.
I’ll gladly take the “blame” for any of your brilliant posts, Dave.
Dave, don’t forget Nicola jane returning to the recording studio. That was funny.
Ha ha ha Dave.
It can’t be you’re growing up - caring that people say you show off.
Thanks in advance.
hello tosh, got a toshiba! that was him, wasn’t it? but the song was by alexei sayle. i always wondered about that. did alexei’s marxist principles prevent him from getting paid?
I have a mint edition of New Boots and Panties that I am frightened to play in case I scratch it… shame really as his stuff is usually brilliant.
You’d be impressed at just how many rappers and modern day urban stars have been influenced by him too.
It’s just a shame that Ian Dury didn’t get the chance to grow old himself . . .
Alright mate? Alright gov? Up the apples and pears. ’round your gaff Phil. Er Phil you read that Sun Tzu, Art of War? Na. You oughta. Majawka. Quick pint, Queen Vic. Footy on the tele. Jumpers for goal posts. You ‘ard enough mate. Lock stock and a load of mockney. I was in the Green Man once when the Krays nearly came in. All a trifle strident for me I’m afraid. Basildon is the new Hackney. Anyway I preferred Squeeze.
“Cruise with me down carnality canal in my canoe, while we canoodle.”
Genius. Thanks for sharing.
Ant - I saw Sir Leonard at Glastonbury last year. A highlight of my life. Even the way he doffed his hat to the adoring throng was poetry. I hope you saw him too.
Leonard Cohen is a little too cheery for me.
Rachel - yeah, I saw him at the O2. He managed to make that enormous barn seem like an intimate venue. Loved his dark humour as much as his tunes. “The last time I played here was 15 years ago. I was 60 back then - just a mixed-up kid with a crazy dream.”
Hi Ant -I love that quote. And didn’t he have a brilliant vibe with his band? Amazing that he got so ripped off by his manager and bears no malice. John w - if you listen to Mr. Cohen’s lyrics he is very funny indeed. A bit like a biblical Morrissey.
Rachel - absolutely agree with all of that. Except I feel as though LC has ‘grown into’ his talent while Mozza has run out of ideas as he’s got older. Experience - good and bad - seems to have inspired LC; with Morrissey, it seems to have made him bitter. That’s kind of summed up in another bit of between-song banter I wrote down at the Leonard Cohen show:
“Over the years, I’ve experimented with chemicals…took prozac, ritalin, xantax. Then I studied the philosophies and religions of the world. But I had to give spirituality up…cheerfulness kept breaking through.”
Sorry Rache, I was being facetious. Morrisey is my home town troubadour.
Dave
How did it work with ‘Hello John’ becoming ‘Hello Tosh’ in terms of copyright? Is it more of a minefield changing the words but keeping the same tune? Easier to get permission to use a song as it is?
Dave: Id love to know if you came up with the Ello Tosh line specifically for Dury, or if you just cast it right. And did you get inspired by Alexei’s song, or did it just fit?
Yes indeed Ant. Morrissey does not have Len’s zen. But is surprisingly comical live.
You a Manc, John w? Me too but you can’t tell cos I talk quite posh. My ex used to live in Morrissey’s old house. ( Captcha is now ‘Music scions’. Synchronicity or what?)
Rachel and John, Morrissey was my biggest personal hero…until he did ‘Bengali In Platforms’ (I’m part Bengali). Listening to that song for the first time was like being punched in the face by your best friend. I got over it and forgave him, but it took a while. He is really funny, you’re right. I always felt his sense of humour went over a lot of people’s heads.
Jack.
“She doesn’t mind the language, it’s the beatings she don’t need.”
or (if you prefer)
“I’m invited in for coffee and I give the dog a bone.”
Meanwhile at the disco there’s a couple of likely lads they swear like how’s your father but they’re…
I like Morrisey but I’m not wedded to him. You know what it’s like for us magpies. I like a lot of shiny thangs. I hail from Gt Manchester, Rache. Oldham and Salford was where I spent my formative years and London and Ireland too, not to mention Hong Kong, but you know I’m kinda with the yank attitude, ‘It’s not where you’re from, it’s where you’re going’, that’s important.
Good thing you’re not wedded to Morrissey, John. He’d probably be a difficult bugger to live with.
While you’re at it, Dave, I’m looking forward to some choice Vivian Stanshall stories.
Ant, I can well imagine he’s a picture postcard of a difficult bugger but isn’t it always the way?
funny how things get lively in this blog when it comes to music.
nothing bad about it, of course. just an observation.
Riki, good observation.
Dave, you could write a post on this.
Hi Dave,
I’m working on a little project involving Ian Dury’s work.
I need a little advice on something that would greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Dave Hillyard
Ha! You want great lyrics look no further than the Basildon Blogger from his seminal work, Whores Hate to Vacuum
Whores hate to vacuum
Not even the bathroom
Where they read their muse
The whores weekly news
We all know a whore
Although you can never be sure
If she is one by choice
Or If it’s just part of her feminist voice
If they’re not kept in their place
Kept off the Bailey’s and black lace
They’ll go to the dogs
And start writing sex blogs
I think it’s safe to assume
Without being a looser
That nature abhors a vacuum
And whores hate to Hoover
Classic existentialism from the king of Essex.
You lost me at Basildon, Jack.
Or classic misogyny
Jack? Who I had
not thought
that kind of a lad.
‘They smelt of pubs, and Wormwood scrubs, and too many right wing meetings’.
Now that’s a lyric.
I saw it on the table out the back of a Trani
Got it at first as a present for my dear old Granny
But the more I read it the more I knew
If it means this much to me, how much will it mean to you?
http://www.thebasildonbloggerstrikesagain.com
Now that’s a lyric.
Misogyny, misogyny! Only a woman could think that. The Blogger is an existentialist. He’s playing with sounds. He’s a storyteller. He’s ignored because he doesn’t make constant references to the Working Classes or bang on about workers etcetera. As for pubs, scrubs and right wing meetings. Pleeeeeese. You’ll be quoting Eastenders next. Queen Vic, trick, dan the nick, quick.
Comparing Weller to Eastenders?
Really?
CHILD:
Ta ta tum tum, ta ta, ta ta, tum tum.
ADULT:
I wonder if he had not suffered so badly from Polio
whether he would ever have given us what he did.
Dave,
Was ‘Hit me’ about his constant struggle with Polio?
I’d love to know. Was there a lot more to this than
meets the ear? Or was it just a cheeky ta ta tum tum?
The Basildon Blogger is genius, Jack. Bar the bit you quoted above. Which annoys my chromosomes. XX
Rachel, Basildon is the new Hackney. Wink touch side of nose, remember I told you that.
XX
Been wondering for a while if one of mess’rs D,L,K or W were fans of the Blockheads haha..
(in regards to their logo that is..)
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/4516/bhdlkw.jpg