The Au Pairs were a post-punk band who formed in Birmingham, UK in 1979. Mu… Read Full Bio ↴The Au Pairs were a post-punk band who formed in Birmingham, UK in 1979. Musically they were very similar to bands such as Ludus, Gang of Four and Delta 5. That is, the rhythm section was tight and funky (obvious influences were James Brown and Funkadelic), but the guitars were light and "scratchy" (like Subway Sect). All these bands shared a strongly left wing social outlook, but the Au Pairs stood out due to their frontwoman, Lesley Woods, being an outspoken feminist and lesbian: the band were greatly influential in this respect on the riot grrrl movement a decade later. Music historian Gillian G. Gaar noted in her history of women in rock that the band mingled male and female musicians in a revolutionary collaborative way as part of its outspoken explorations of sexual politics.

Their first album Playing with a Different Sex is considered a post-punk classic with strong, sarcastic songs like "It's Obvious" and "We're so cool" taking a dry look at gender relations. Other songs, such as "Armagh" with its refrain,"we don't torture" took a pro-republican look at the then ongoing "Troubles" in Northern Ireland, which caused some controversy at the time.

The band's second album, Sense and Sensuality, showed an even greater influence of jazz, soul, funk and disco on the band's sound, but was less well received. The band broke up in 1983 just before they were about to go into the studio to record an album with producer Steve Lillywhite. Woods formed an all woman band called the Darlings in the late '80s, but then left the music industry. She now works as a lawyer. Guitarist, Paul Foad remains an active musician, playing with Andy Hamilton and the Blue Notes, a Jamaican Jazz band and teaching guitar in and around Birmingham. He has also published a guitar technique book, co-written with Stuart Ritchie, titled The Caged Guitarist (2000). Bass player Jane Munro works as an alternative therapist in Birmingham. Pete Hammond also remains an active musician and teaches percussion in Birmingham.

The Au Pairs released two official albums "Playing with a Different Sex" (1981) and "Sense and Sensuality" (1982). Two more albums were released in 1983: "Live in Berlin" and the "BBC Sessions".

Original Line-up:
Lesley Woods - guitar/vocals
Paul Foad - guitar/vocals
Jane Munro - bass
Pete Hammond - drums

Domestic Departure
Au Pairs Lyrics

We have lyrics for these tracks by Au Pairs:

America Get into the mood For a worldwide confrontation Why don't …
Armagh We don't torture, we're a civilized nation We're avoiding an…
Come Again You're one of those / who changed the rules You brought…
Cum Again You're one of those Who changed the game You brought in ne…
Dear John Dear John - cherchez la femme? Dear John - round the…
Diet He works the car She the sink She's not here To think Si…
Headache Got a bad taste in my mouth, I've got a Heavy,…
Headache (for Michelle) Got a bad taste in my mouth / got a…
Inconvenience I provide at a time, a successful investment, no loss…

It's Obvious Nowadays it’s nice It’s paradise Equal time Equal spending …
It’s obvious Spending time nowadays Nowadays it′s nice It's paradise Equ…
Love Song A touch a glance it's a slow dance, it's a…
Piece Of My Heart Make sense of the world when it’s upside down Spinning so…
Pretty Boys I like pretty boys They get everywhere I like to look at…
Repetition Junie is a man And he's bigger than you But his overheads…
Set Up Playing your game / your mother substitute She is she /…
Sex Without Stress Would you like to express your sex without stress? Would you…
The Love Song A touch a glance it's a slow dance, it's a…
The Set-Up Playing your game / your mother substitute She is she /…
Unfinished Business I'm your unfinished business I turn up at times conveniently…
We I don't mind if you want to sleep on your…

You You, you are just another you You are undefined You, they…

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