Screaming Lord Sutch was born in North London. His father, a war reserve policeman, was killed in an accident when his son was 10 months old. His mother - to whom he was devoted - was a fan of Dickens; she christened him David after David Copperfield. For most of the next fifteen years they shared a flat and poverty in what he called a dead-end street in Kilburn, while she worked as a cleaner and shop assistant. Entertainment was Saturday morning pictures and the Metropolitan Music Hall, Edgeware Road. In 1956, after David had left school, they moved to South Harrow, where he became a window cleaner.
It was the birth of British rock music; a time when the young and desperate could pursue a new escape route. What he called his 'wild man of Borneo look' got Screaming Lord Sutch a spot singing at the Two I's coffee bar in Soho. His style evolved, or lurched, out of that slurry of music hall (he was a Max Miller fan), horror movies, Grand Guignol, pulp comics, slapstick and transatlantic pop. Thus did the black American rhythm & blues singer Screaming Jay Hawkins provide a name, and the basis of an act.
In 1961 he was spotted by the curious and doomed independent record producer Joe Meek. "I was doing the horror", said Sutch, "screaming and yelling. I had 18 inches of hair and I was running around in buffalo horns and my auntie's leopardskin coat. The scout said 'You've got a different approach. You want to make a record?'". Screaming Lord Sutch made records, and recorded with a clutch of (later) distinguished British rock musicians. The early subject matter focused on disembowelment and graveyards - on one occasion Meek posed Screaming Lord Sutch as Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel at night. Both men, observed Sutch, were intrigued by horror films. But he had no real hits. Indeed, by 1963 his career had been swamped by the Mersey boom.
It was then that he went to Stratford, campaigning for commercial radio, votes at 18, abolition of dog licences and his share of the spotlight, with the mix of native wit and puerility that marked his aimless - or dadaist - media courtship. The live act around Europe, and playing small halls and pubs, provided an income.
His last political hurrah was in the 1995 Littleborough and Saddleworth byelection (the OMRLP didn't have the money to run in the last European elections). But more than finances, it was perhaps the times that had finally run out.
Jack The Ripper
Screaming Lord Sutch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wuaaaaah
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
There's a man who walks the streets of London late at night
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
With a little black bag that's oh-so tight
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
He's got a big black cloak hangin' down his back
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Well, that's a one big cat I just a hate to fight
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
When he walks down the streets
To every girl he meets, he says, is your name Mary Blood?
Uaaaaaaah!
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
When she walks down the streets, he's never far behind
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
With his little black bag and his one tracked mind
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Well, he nearly catches up when the lights go down
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
'Cause that's the time he starts his dirty, uh, chop-around
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
When he walks down the streets
To every girl he meets, he says, is your name Mary Blood?
Uaaaaaaah!
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Scotland Yard'll never catch him, 'cause he's a much too clever
He's much too clever
Mm, but if they do, man, they'll get: The Ripper - yeah!
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Well, the streets of London kinda never safe
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Whenever Jack The Ripper ever shows his face
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
So, you pretty little girlies, take a-my advice
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
And don't walk the streets of London late at night
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
When he walks down the streets
To every girl he meets, he says, is your name Mary Blood?
Uaaaaaaah!
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Wuaaaaah ....
The song "Jack the Ripper" by Screaming Lord Sutch tells the story of a notorious serial killer who walked the streets of London at night with a little black bag that contained his tools for dismemberment. The lyrics describe the ripper as a man with a big black cloak hanging down his back, chasing after his victims, usually women. He asks everyone he meets if their name is "Mary Blood," his presumed victim.
The song goes on to warn young ladies not to walk the streets of London late at night for fear of encountering the deadly Jack the Ripper. Sutch sings about how Scotland Yard has been unable to catch the killer because he's too clever. The song features a haunting melody that adds to its eerie and macabre atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Huh-uh-huh-uh-huh-uh-huh-uh, aaaaaaaah!
Screaming Lord Sutch is making an emphatic and energetic sound to set the stage for his song.
Wuaaaaah
Sutch lets out an intense scream to capture Jack the Ripper's frightening aura.
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Sutch directly references Jack the Ripper, the infamous serial killer of the late 19th century.
There's a man who walks the streets of London late at night
Sutch describes Jack the Ripper's haunting presence in the city at night.
With a little black bag that's oh-so tight
Sutch implies that Jack the Ripper is carrying his murder weapons in a small and easily concealable bag.
He's got a big black cloak hangin' down his back
Sutch imagines Jack the Ripper wearing a flowing cloak, possibly to make himself more intimidating or to hide his identity.
Well, that's a one big cat I just a hate to fight
Sutch suggests that Jack the Ripper is a formidable opponent, and he would not want to confront him.
When he walks down the streets
Sutch again emphasizes Jack the Ripper's presence in the city.
To every girl he meets, he says, is your name Mary Blood?
Sutch references one of the many myths surrounding Jack the Ripper - that he would ask his victims if their name was Mary before killing them.
When she walks down the streets, he's never far behind
Sutch suggests that Jack the Ripper is stalking his victims, always waiting for his chance to strike.
With his little black bag and his one tracked mind
Sutch again references Jack the Ripper's bag of murder weapons, and implies that he is completely focused on his gruesome task.
Well, he nearly catches up when the lights go down
Sutch suggests that Jack the Ripper is more likely to attack his victims when it is dark and there are fewer people around.
Cause that's the time he starts his dirty, uh, chop-around
Sutch uses colorful language to suggest that Jack the Ripper is out to cause harm to anyone he can.
Scotland Yard'll never catch him, 'cause he's a much too clever
Sutch implies that despite the efforts of the London police, Jack the Ripper is too cunning to be caught.
Mm, but if they do, man, they'll get: The Ripper - yeah!
Sutch suggests that if Jack the Ripper is caught, he will be known by his notorious nickname for years to come.
Well, the streets of London kinda never safe
Sutch warns listeners that there is danger lurking on the streets of London, thanks to Jack the Ripper's presence.
Whenever Jack The Ripper ever shows his face
Sutch suggests that Jack the Ripper could strike at any time, so people should be cautious.
So, you pretty little girlies, take a-my advice
Sutch addresses his female listeners directly, warning them to be especially careful.
And don't walk the streets of London late at night
Sutch's advice is simple - if you want to stay safe, don't be out on the streets of London after dark.
Wuaaaaah ....
Like at the beginning of the song, Sutch lets out a chilling scream to end the song on a dramatic note.
Contributed by Isaac V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.