Metamatic Forums Socialising The Green Room Ian Dury

Today I've had the pleasure of "New Boots and Panties!!" and the equally superb "Mr Love Pants".

I thought about posting in the "what music..." thread, but then thort perhaps we could have different threads dedicated to more lengthy discussion of particular artists?

I've always been a big fan of Ian Dury - guaranteed to raise a smile when you're feeling under the weather:

"Had a love affair with Nina in the back of my Cortina
A seasoned up hyena could not have bin more obscener
She took me to the cleaners and other misdemeanours
but I got right up between 'er Rum and 'er Ribena"

BRILLIANT wordsmith. That last line has to be among the best lyrics EVER! (and there's another thread there too

I read his biography a year or so ago - fascinating to read of the painstaking revision and polishing he did of his lyrics to get that perfect rhyme and rhythm.
And the way the Blockheads jam together is magical. Few other bands really hit that so well.
The first album of course is a classic of our generation ("Sweet Gene Vincent" is in my all time Top Ten), but Love Pants matches it.
The cleverness of Itinerant Child and Honeysuckle Highway to the wry observational humour and sheer genius of "Geraldine" is a gem.
Surpassing even "Busman's Prayer" in my opinion.
Whatever that's worth…

everything you've said!!
Brilliant with words!
And The Blockheads were great musicians!!
(The rumour is that it was The Blockheads that played the music on Frankie Goes to Holywood's "Welcome to the pleasure dome",when you have that in mind and listen to it it makes sense
Ian Dury..one of the best wordsmiths ever

Now this is weird......

I was thinking about Ian Dury & The Blockheads the other day. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick was playing in my head & I was thinking what a superb lyricist Ian was & that The Blockheads were a superbly tight band....

Then I see Martin's posting.

These things happen to me a lot.

They were and will always be one of the best bands of the 70s / 80s. I remember seeing them on top of the pops in about '78 with Ian wearing a 'donky jacket' and singing 'hit..rhythm stick'. All the documented evidance, and even Ian himself admitted to having a difficult life but he never really complained. And hes music did indeed make others happy too.......'reasons to be cheerful'.