Mott the Hoople formed when Silence, a not-too-successful group from the Welsh borders, was joined by session pianist and rock and roll hopeful Ian Hunter along with musicians Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Pete Overend Watts, and Dale Griffin . They developed from Dylan obsessives to their own character over the course of four albums for Island. They were a very popular live act but only achieved brief commercial success.
In 1971, the band was close to splitting up but continued to record track "All the Young Dudes", a song written for them by up and coming pop star and fan David Bowie. Three more albums and several pop hits later, the group fell apart after Ian Hunter left in 1974. The remaining members mutated into Mott, an 'also-ran' band which released two albums before disbanding in 1976. Original guitarist Ralphs had a massive boost in his fortunes as a member of rockers Bad Company.
Griffin died in his sleep on 17 January 2016 at the age of 67 and Watts died, almost exactly a year later, on 22 January 2017, from throat cancer.
All the Young Dudes
Mott the Hoople Lyrics
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How he'd kick it in the head when he was twenty-five
Speed jive, don't want to stay alive
When you're twenty-five
And Wendy's stealing clothes from Marks & Sparks
And Freddy's got spots from ripping off the stars from his face
Funky little boat race
Television man is crazy saying we're juvenile delinquent wrecks
Oh, man, I need TV when I've got T.Rex
Oh brother, you guessed
I'm a dude, dad
All the young dudes (hey dudes!)
Carry the news (where are you?)
Boogaloo dudes (stand up, come on)
Carry the news
All the young dudes (I want to hear you)
Carry the news (I want to see you)
Boogaloo dudes (I want to talk to you, all of you)
Carry the news (now)
Lucy looks sweet 'cause he dresses like a queen
But he can kick like a mule, it's a real mean team
But we can love
Oh yes, we can love
And my brother's back at home with his Beatles and his Stones
We never got it off on that revolution stuff
What a drag, too many snags
Now I've drunk a lot of wine and I'm feeling fine
Got to race some cat to bed
Oh, is that concrete all around
Or is it in my head?
Yeah
I'm a dude, dad
All the young dudes (hey dudes)
Carry the news (where are you?)
Boogaloo dudes (stand up)
Carry the news
All the young dudes (I want to hear you)
Carry the news (I want to see you)
Boogaloo dudes (I want to relate to you)
Carry the news
All the young dudes (what dudes?)
Carry the news (let's hear the news, come on)
Boogaloo dudes (I want to kick you)
Carry the news
(Hey, you there)
All the young dudes
(With the glasses)
Carry the news (I want you)
Boogaloo dudes (I want you in the front)
Carry the news (now)
(Now, you're his friends)
All the young dudes (now you bring him down)
('Cause I want him)
Carry the news
Boogaloo dudes (I want him right here)
(Bring him, come on)
Carry the news (bring him)
(Here you go)
All the young dudes
(I've wanted to do this for years)
Carry the news
(There you go!)
Boogaloo dudes
(How'd it feel?)
Carry the news
The lyrics to Mott the Hoople's "All The Young Dudes" is a celebration of youth and rebellion. The song is about a group of young people who are disillusioned with the world around them and are looking for escape. The song opens with Billy rapping about his suicide and how he plans to end it when he turns 25. Wendy is stealing clothes, and Freddy is ripping stars from his face. The lyrics describe a culture of youth rebellion and angst, tired of the mundane, and seeking excitement. The lines "Television man is crazy saying we're juvenile delinquent wrecks" and "Oh, man, I need TV when I've got T.Rex" reflect the generational gap between the older and younger generations, as well as the youth's love for the rock and roll music of the day.
The chorus, "All the young dudes carry the news," is a call to arms for the youth to rise up and take control of their world. The lyrics are full of cultural references, including the Beatles and the Stones, and also reflect the glam rock era. The final lines, "I'm a dude, dad," depict the singer's identification with the youth culture and the desire to be a part of the movement.
The song has been interpreted in different ways over the years. Some see it as a song about youth rebellion, while others see it as a commentary on the state of the world. However, most agree that it is a celebration of the joy and excitement of youth. "All The Young Dudes" has become an iconic song of the 1970s and continues to hold a special place in rock music history.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, Billy rapped all night about his suicide
Billy spoke extensively about his suicidal intentions throughout the night
How he'd kick it in the head when he was twenty-five
He intended to commit suicide by fatally kicking himself in the head when he reached the age of twenty-five
Speed jive, don't want to stay alive
Billy didn't want to continue living and preferred to party hard, indulging in drugs and dance to amphetamines-fueled music
When you're twenty-five
This statement specifies that Billy's state of mind is typical of twenty-five years old
And Wendy's stealing clothes from Marks & Sparks
Wendy shoplifts garments from Marks and Spencer
And Freddy's got spots from ripping off the stars from his face
Freddy has pimples on his face because he removed the shiny stars he had affixed to his skin
Funky little boat race
An expression of admiration for Freddy's quirky and unique appearance
Television man is crazy saying we're juvenile delinquent wrecks
A TV presenter accuses them of being antisocial delinquents with ruined futures
Oh, man, I need TV when I've got T.Rex
The artist finds glam rock band T.Rex more appealing and energizing than television
Oh brother, you guessed
The artist agrees with the TV presenter's assessment of them
I'm a dude, dad
The singer confirms that he's one of the people the presenter refers to as a juvenile delinquent wreck, with a careless attitude and a devil-may-care approach to life
All the young dudes (hey dudes!)
A statement that unites and refers to all the artists of the song, predominantly male youths
Carry the news (where are you?)
The statement 'carry the news' is a plea for the young dudes to spread the message of belonging to the same tribe, as they look and behave similarly. The second part 'where are you' is a call to recognize and identify each other
Boogaloo dudes (stand up, come on)
The phrase 'boogaloo dudes' is again used to refer to the young dudes. The urge to 'stand up, come on' is an invitation to act, rebel, or dance to the music
Lucy looks sweet 'cause he dresses like a queen
Lucy( name given to a male) has an effeminate dressing sense but is capable of fighting ferociously, making him a formidable fighting partner
But he can kick like a mule, it's a real mean team
Lucy, despite his seemingly gentle demeanor, is dangerous in a fight. Together with the other young dudes, they form a formidable fighting group
But we can love
The statement indicates that despite their seemingly antisocial nature, the young dudes are indeed capable of expressing and receiving love
Oh yes, we can love
The same positive message of love reaffirmed, emphasizing its essential presence among the tribe of young dudes
And my brother's back at home with his Beatles and his Stones
The singer's brother is an old-fashioned rock'n'roll fan who prefers the classics by the Beatles and Rolling Stones.
We never got it off on that revolution stuff
The young dudes don't relate to or want the same radical changes that the revolutionary bands of the sixties advocated
What a drag, too many snags
The artist dismisses the call for revolution as a waste of time, hampered by complications
Now I've drunk a lot of wine and I'm feeling fine
The artist declares that he's had much alcohol and is feeling good
Got to race some cat to bed
The singer intends to have sex with his partner, a fellow 'young dude' in the tribe
Oh, is that concrete all around
Unclear if the setting is urban and surrounded by concrete or if the artist is hallucinating because of the alcohol consumed
Or is it in my head?
The singer is questioning his perception of things, unsure if he's seeing reality or having a drunken illusion
Yeah
An affirmation expressing satisfaction with the situation, whatever it may be
Hey, you there
A call to action, addressing someone in the present
With the glasses
A characteristic that stands out about the person being addressed for identification
I want you
The artist wants to interact with the person mentioned, perhaps get to know them or ask for help.
I want you in the front
The singer requests the person he addressed to come forward, possibly for a better view or to get a closer look
Now
An immediate request, as in 'right now.'
Now, you're his friends
The artist appeals to the audience to recognize and be friends with the person he'd been addressing
Now you bring him down ('cause I want him)
The artist wants the person brought down to his level, probably to engage in conversation or other activities
Boogaloo dudes (I want him right here)
The call for the young dudes who are part of the tribe to come together in one place, in this case, where the man addressed is now present
Bring him
The request is repeated, emphasizing its urgency and importance
Here you go
The artist is happy that his wishes have been granted
I've wanted to do this for years
The singer confesses that he's been thinking about meeting or interacting with the person addressed for years
There you go!
The singer is pleased that his request has finally been granted, and he can interact with the person addressed
Boogaloo dudes
The phrase brings the song full circle, reaffirming the tribe's identity, the spirit of rebellion, and togetherness.
How'd it feel?
The artist is curious about the experience of the person addressed, either the meeting or some other activity that's taken place as a part of it.
Carry the news
A final request to the young dudes, telling them to carry on their identity as one tribe and relay the events of the evening to others.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind