Half Man Half Biscuit Half Hearted

Half Man Half Biscuit Half Hearted

Ah yes. Why spend time typing up the lyrics to Half Man Half Biscuit songs? Because they are gems like no other. We celebrate British bands and artists for seminal musical works (think Bowie or Elvis Costello) and, unless you happen to know the late John Peel's inside leg measurement or you were enlightened as a student, the majesty, wit and sheer intelligence of the HMHB opus is ignored. Shame, shame, shame.


Over the years a number of web sites have recorded some lyrics and a multitude of research notes for the songs [see the excellent www.hmhb.co.uk]. The latter are invaluable to understanding the wide ranging and often obscure historical references. The former are a mixed bag, with only a few songs listed.


So what started out as a full hearted attempt by me to record the lyrics so my sister could understand the songs has developed into a blog post and a project to educate the half-hearted masses and to provide a definitive song list with lyrics.

They'll be other crap on here too such as my own songs "Progressive Dads", "People called Wilson", "Blog-proof iPod", "Armchair Expert" and "Holistically Challenged"- I need to finish writing them first :)

"...Baby I'm from the Wirral Peninsula.
A merciless despot with nothing to lose"

Monkey Man, June 2007

Please note that all lyrics are mostly my interpretation and are presented here to assist you in understanding the songs. They are the copyright of others.

You should also pay a visit to www.chrisrand.com/hmhb/ for HMHB lyrics - a superb site with a superb range of listings

Wednesday 20 June 2007

Them's the Vagaries [Cammel Laird Social Club]

Them's The Vagaries

You may have to rescue me from limestone quarries frequently
Those corporate stunt shows you attend you’ll never get us back again
Say!

Hello spinal curvature
Get used to the mirthless furniture
Now we’ve kissed I’ve written this list
I thought you ought to know

Them’s the vagaries

Well I’ll not sit backwards on the train
I can’t say I’ll always flush the chain
And what I call pleasure you may call pain
I’m talking five day tests

Prepare to lose you dignity
As I ride to victory
Down the aisles at Tesco
Wearing nothing much at all

Ancient pack-horse bridges we’ll avoid
Marijuana bores must be destroyed

Bin men thin men lexicographers
Squid yes not so octopus
Egg sandwiches on coach trips in June
I simply won’t be there

No way joke shop excrement
Don’t say the light show’s excellent
It makes you smell like a laboratory instead of a
Fan of the band

Them’s the vagaries

Oh Brit Pop turquoise chips with apricot
Sheepskin nose-bands kids in Aldershot
You point to cages in my yard and you ask:
What are them things there?

Them’s the aviaries [x several]

And I’ve been saving these
Things just for you

And now the notes taken from www.hmhb.co.uk

Five day Tests international cricket matches which these days finish on the fourth afternoon (especially when Australia are one of the participants).

1 comment:

MickMacve said...

get used to the mirthless furniture