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Fighting Trousers
Professor Elemental Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dear Sir,
Regarding your recent foray
Into the rap business and the scene you portray,
See I don't normally approve of war games,
But "He's biting you" is what they all say

And by Harry, they might be right--
This is hip hop, not an Elvis night!
Shelve this Professor impersonation,
Let it end now, it's impertinent waiting!

You seem a reasonable chap,
What you need to do is rap
But not parody chap hop
'Cause that's not proper, just not cricket!
Put away your ukulele or I'll tell where to stick it!

I - Don't like your tweed, sir!
Will - Teach you the professor's ready!
Not - Let's see who strikes the loudest!
Lose - Put on my fighting trousers!

I've got super producers and fans that play me
You've got a granddad's mustache and a ukulele
Don't look around sir, I'm speaking to you
Roll up your shirt sleeves, Queensbury rules
Never test professors with the cleverest wits
Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks
On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon
And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning
When this George Formby clone is performing
Audiences go home before he begins talking
A new career might be more rewarding
I'm a bright Brighton peer, you're rap's Piers Morgan

I - Don't like your tweed, sir!
Will - Teach you the professor's ready!
Not - Let's see who strikes the loudest!
Lose - Put on my fighting trousers!

I'm not seeing you at ciphers or workshops with kids or gigs
Dear sir, you're not worthy of this!
Sold out to Coca-Cola
Used for a trend
And that means you're banned
From using a pen
Hope it's safe to assume you won't do this again
Set foot on my stage and get ruined again
Be out, Mr. B, I've set the egg timer
There's not room in town for two gentlemen rhymers
Leave town by the end of this instrumental
Yours, et cetera, et cetera, sincerely, and so forth,
Professor Elemental

I - Don't like your tweed, sir!
Will - Teach you the professor's ready!
Not - Let's see who strikes the loudest!
Lose - Put on my fighting trousers!

Overall Meaning

The song "Fighting Trousers" by Professor Elemental is a diss track in response to Mr. B, who had been "biting" his style in the "chap hop" scene. The opening verse addresses Mr. B directly, urging him to abandon his Professor Elemental impersonation and his ukulele playing, and challenging him to a "battle" of sorts. The chorus serves as an assertion of Professor Elemental's own superiority, both in terms of his fans and his talents, and as a call to action for himself to put on his "fighting trousers" and prove it.


Throughout the song, Professor Elemental makes references to various British cultural touchstones, from Flash Gordon to George Formby, all in service of his argument that Mr. B is simply not up to his level. He makes clear that he views himself as a true artist, not just in it for the money or the fame, and that Mr. B is simply a poseur looking to cash in on a gimmick. The track ends with a final warning to Mr. B to leave town if he knows what's good for him.


Overall, "Fighting Trousers" is a clever and biting critique of the "chap hop" scene, and a testament to Professor Elemental's skills as a rapper and performer.


Line by Line Meaning

Dear Sir, Regarding your recent foray Into the rap business and the scene you portray, See I don't normally approve of war games, But "He's biting you" is what they all say
I am addressing you, sir, and I have noticed you trying to infiltrate the rap industry with your version of rap. I do not approve of this style of music, but others say you are copying me.


And by Harry, they might be right-- This is hip hop, not an Elvis night! Shelve this Professor impersonation, Let it end now, it's impertinent waiting!
They could be correct, we are in the genre of hip hop, not some Elvis imitation. It's best if you stop pretending to be me because it's becoming insufferable to wait for you to stop.


You seem a reasonable chap, What you need to do is rap But not parody chap hop 'Cause that's not proper, just not cricket! Put away your ukulele or I'll tell where to stick it!
You appear to be a decent guy. However, instead of trying to be me, you should rap in your manner but not make a mockery of the genre I represent. Otherwise, we're going to have problems, and I might get unpleasant with you.


I - Don't like your tweed, sir! Will - Teach you the professor's ready! Not - Let's see who strikes the loudest! Lose - Put on my fighting trousers!
I am displeased with your attire, sir. I am willing to teach you the real version of rap. It's not a competition for bragging rights. I suggest you put on your fighting pants because this is going to get ugly.


I've got super producers and fans that play me You've got a granddad's mustache and a ukulele Don't look around sir, I'm speaking to you Roll up your shirt sleeves, Queensbury rules Never test professors with the cleverest wits Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning
I have a vast fan base and big-name producers that back me, while you have only an outmoded mustache and a ukulele that you strum away. Do not look around; I am referring to you. You must prepare for a physical altercation because your academic intelligence will not save you here. Let's end this disagreement as gentlemen do: armed with heavy sticks on a spinning plate with spikes. I'm Flash Gordon, and you're Peter Duncan, and I have given you a forewarning.


When this George Formby clone is performing Audiences go home before he begins talking A new career might be more rewarding I'm a bright Brighton peer, you're rap's Piers Morgan
When you imitate George Formby, people leave before you start talking. I recommend a different career for you since this one doesn't seem to work. I am a notable representative of Brighton, while you are the Piers Morgan of rap.


I'm not seeing you at ciphers or workshops with kids or gigs Dear sir, you're not worthy of this! Sold out to Coca-Cola Used for a trend And that means you're banned From using a pen Hope it's safe to assume you won't do this again Set foot on my stage and get ruined again Be out, Mr. B, I've set the egg timer There's not room in town for two gentlemen rhymers Leave town by the end of this instrumental Yours, et cetera, et cetera, sincerely, and so forth, Professor Elemental
I have not seen you mingling with the kids or participating in rap battles or workshops. My friend, you do not have what it takes to handle this. You've lost your artistic integrity by becoming a sell-out to Coca-Cola and being consumed in the trend. That means you cannot write your music. I hope it's safe to say you won't attempt this again. If you come to my stage or town, I guarantee it won't work out well for you. I've set the egg timer since two gentlemen rappers will not coexist in this place. Kind regards, Professor Elemental.


I - Don't like your tweed, sir! Will - Teach you the professor's ready! Not - Let's see who strikes the loudest! Lose - Put on my fighting trousers!
Once again, I'm not pleased with your cup-of-tea fashion, sir. I'm prepared to give you rap lessons. This isn't a noise-making competition. It's best to wear your physical confrontation outfit because you're out of luck.




Contributed by Ruby J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@snakeeater5541

Dear Sir, regarding your recent foray
Into the rap business and the scene you portray
See I don't normally approve of war games
But "He's biting you" is what they all say
And by Harry, they might be right--
This is hip hop, not an Elvis night!
Shelve this Professor impersonation
Let it end now, it's impertinent waiting!
You seem a reasonable chap, what you need to do is rap
But not parody chap hop
Cause that's not proper, just not cricket!
Put away your ukulele or I'll tell where to stick it!

(hook)
I - Don't like your tweed, sir!
Will - Teach you the professor's ready!
Not - Let's see who strikes the loudest!
Lose - Put on my fighting trousers!



I've got super producers and fans that play me
You've got a granddad's mustache and a ukulele
Don't look around sir, I'm speaking to you
Roll up your shirt sleeves, Queensbury rules
Never test professors with the cleverest wits
Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks
On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon
And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning
When this George Formby clone is performing
Audiences go home before he begins talking
A new career might be more rewarding
I'm a bright Brighton peer, you're rap's Piers Morgan


(hook)

(verse 3)
I'm not seeing you at ciphers or workshops with kids or gigs
Dear sir, you're not worthy of this!
Sold out to Coca-Cola
Used for a trend
And that means you're banned
From using a pen
Hope it's safe to assume you won't do this again
Set foot on my stage and get ruined again
Be out, Mr. B, I've set the egg timer
There's not room in town for two gentlemen rhymers
Leave town by the end of this instrumental
Yours, et cetera, et cetera, sincerely, and so forth
Professor Elemental



All comments from YouTube:

@richmcgee434

It took me almost eight years, but yesterday I finally found an opportunity to tell someone I didn't like their tweed, sir, in everyday conversation.

@Luciffrit

Did you two then squish your well groomed moustaches and draw your duelling pistols?

@heathernicolewatson480

I'd like to think yes. That's exactly what happened

@LilKiwi2240

Instead of saying i dont like the cut of your jib i now say i dont like your tweed sir

@JMBluecoat8289

I own a tweed jacket, but I have yet to experience someone saying it to me.

@simonsmith2684

Dammit you're a philistine

19 More Replies...

@djwoody1649

‘I don’t like your tweed, sir.’
- A half naked professor wearing pith helmet (adds +10 pithy rhymes) and fighting trousers, whilst smoking an obnoxiously large pipe.

@BRBMrSoul

Is not a man id like to pick a fight with in a dark alley

@doctorerosxcelsior

A very Gemini 😅

@jeroen7716

@@BRBMrSoul u are skinnier then that?

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