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
Headache
Au Pairs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy headache
Won't go away
I can't remember much about last night
But I'm trying to regain a little self-control
Today
I got out of my head
I got out of my head
I got out...
Last night
They are coming
Amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst
And in-between us
They're tapping our phones
Tapping our phones
Tapping our phones
You can be sure that
They've seen us
Are you working
Are you working
Are you working
Are you working for
Or with the state
They're selling you smack at a
Slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly
Cheaper rate
'Cause you're not a threat when you're out of your head
And I'm gonna get out of my head
And it's better in bed
When you're out of your head
And Malcolm is dead
He got out of his head
Out of his head
They are closing down
Communications
They're taking control
Of our situations
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
Are gathering around our heads
'Round our heads
'Cause you're not a threat when you're out of your head
And I'm gonna get out of my head
And it's better in bed
When you're out of your head
And Malcolm is dead
He got out of his head
And I'm gonna get out of my head
And you're not a threat when you're out of your head
How can you get
How can you get
How can you get
How can you get
How can you get
Out of his head?
Out of his head
How can you get
Out of his head?
How can you get
Out of his head?
How can you get?
He got out of his head
Malcolm is dead
He got out of his head
You're not a threat when you're out of your head
Malcolm is dead
Malcolm is dead
The lyrics of the song "Headache For Michelle" by the British post-punk band, Au Pairs, describe the personal struggles of someone who is dealing with a heavy headache and the consequences of getting out of control under the influence of drugs. The song also alludes to the wider sociopolitical context of the early 1980s, when the UK government was increasing its surveillance and control over its citizens, especially those who were perceived as a threat to the state. The use of repetition in the lyrics adds to the sense of urgency and intensity, as the singer tries to make sense of their experiences, and navigate the complexities of their relationships and surroundings.
The first verse presents a vivid description of physical discomfort, with the singer having a bad taste in their mouth and a heavy headache that won't go away. They also hint that they had a wild night before and are trying to regain some self-control. The repeating refrain of "I got out of my head" suggests that the singer is trying to distance themselves from the effects of their drug use or alcohol consumption. The second verse introduces the theme of surveillance and control, as the singer alludes to the tapping of phones and the monitoring of their activities by unnamed forces of control. The repetition of "are you working" emphasizes the paranoia and uncertainty of the situation, as the singer wonders if their friends or partners might be working with or for the state.
In the final part of the song, the repetition of "the forces of control" and "round our heads" suggests that the singer is trapped or limited by the societal and political contexts they find themselves in. The reference to Malcolm's death could be a tribute to the British activist and journalist, Malcolm Muggeridge, who passed away in 1990 and was critical of the government's policies. The song ends with the unresolved question of how to get out of one's head, implying that the singer is still grappling with their experiences and searching for a way to break free.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a bad taste in my mouth, I've got a
Heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy headache
Won't go away
The singer wakes up with a hangover and is feeling miserable from the headache that wouldn't go away.
I can't remember much about last night
But I'm trying to regain a little self-control
Today
The singer doesn't remember what happened last night and is trying to regain their composure today.
I got out of my head
I got out of my head
I got out of my head
I got out...
Last night
The singer got drunk and lost control last night.
They are coming
Amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst
And in-between us
The artist is feeling paranoid that someone is watching them or coming to get them.
They're tapping our phones
Tapping our phones
Tapping our phones
You can be sure that
They've seen us
The artist believes that someone is eavesdropping on their conversations or spying on them.
Are you working
Are you working
Are you working
Are you working for
Or with the state
The singer questions if the person they are talking to is working for the government.
They're selling you smack at a
Slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly
Cheaper rate
The singer believes that the government is involved in drug trafficking and is selling drugs at a cheaper rate.
'Cause you're not a threat when you're out of your head
And I'm gonna get out of my head
And it's better in bed
When you're out of your head
And Malcolm is dead
He got out of his head
Out of his head
Being out of your head means being drunk or high, and the artist believes it's better to be like that because the government won't see them as a threat. Malcolm is dead because he was also trying to get out of his head.
They are closing down
Communications
They're taking control
Of our situations
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
Are gathering around our heads
'Round our heads
The artist is feeling trapped and oppressed by the government, who are controlling their communication and taking control of their lives.
How can you get
How can you get
How can you get
How can you get
How can you get
Out of his head?
Out of his head
The artist is wondering how to get out of the government's control and live freely.
Malcolm is dead
Malcolm is dead
Malcolm is dead because he couldn't escape the government's control.
Contributed by Tristan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
natalievnkrk
Got a bad taste in my mouth / got a heavy heart - won't go away
Can't remember much about last night / but I'm trying to regain
a little self-control today
I got out of my head last night
They are coming amongst and in between us
Tapping our phones - you can be sure they've seen us
Are you working for or with the state
They're selling you smack at a slightly cheaper rate
'Cos you're not a threat when you're out of your head
and I'm gonna get out of my head
and it's better in bed - when you're out of your head
and Malcolm is dead - he got out of his head
They are closing down - communications
They're taking control - of our situations
The forces of control are gathering around our heads
Abergaz
Got a bad taste in my mouth, I've got a
Heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy headache
Won't go away
I can't remember much about last night
But I'm trying to regain a little self-control
Today
I got out of my head
I got out of my head
I got out of my head
I got out...
Last night
They are coming
Amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst, amongst
And in-between us
They're tapping our phones
Tapping our phones
Tapping our phones
You can be sure that
They've seen us
Are you working
Are you working
Are you working
Are you working for
Or with the state
They're selling you smack at a
Slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly, slightly
Cheaper rate
'Cause you're not a threat when you're out of your head
And I'm gonna get out of my head
And it's better in bed
When you're out of your head
And Malcolm is dead
He got out of his head
Out of his head
They are closing down
Communications
They're taking control
Of our situations
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
The forces of control
Are gathering around our heads
'Round our heads
'Cause you're not a threat when you're out of your head
And I'm gonna get out of my head
And it's better in bed
When you're out of your head
And Malcolm is dead
He got out of his head
And I'm gonna get out of my head
And you're not a threat when you're out of your head
How can you get
How can you get
How can you get
How can you get
How can you get
Out of his head?
Out of his head
How can you get
Out of his head?
How can you get
Out of his head?
How can you get?
He got out of his head
Malcolm is dead
He got out of his head
You're not a threat when you're out of your head
Malcolm is dead
Malcolm is dead
Anka Wolbert
The Au Pairs were just SO incredibly ahead of their time. I moved to London as a musician around 1987 and the UK was still a dire place in terms of gender equality and LGBT visibility. The Au Pairs were one of my main musical influences and listening to their music as an 18 year old gave me such hope and pleasure. This is still one of my favourite songs ever.
PakistaniCult
The live version they did of this song for John Peel back in 1983 is the one I prefer. I was born around then but this music is timeless and massively cinematic.
If I was Martin Scorsese then I'd put this song in a movie because it deserves to be in the soundtrack of a cool and moody film..
Ronald von Ranzow
+PakistaniCult I agree these words.
Andrew Wells
The Peel version IS fantastic, but this was SO important on the vinyl at the time...
Right Weaponry
I love Au Pairs cuz their music is such a instant mood changer, i could just live in this album
Don MikNelli
Loved it then and adore it now and forever! WHAT a CLASSIC! Songs that make a change.-
robs2020
Fantastic band. Although this track was recorded two decades after the Shirelles' song "He Hit Me (But it felt like a kiss)- written by the otherwise wonderful Carole King and Gerry Goffin - it seems like a lifetime, but it shows how far the experience of women had come. Back in the 80s all the cool girls loved the the Au Pairs, so a teenage lad like me got into them and I still love their music.
Rocco
It's nice to hear each instrument without overlapping like all music nowadays.
decunamus2
One of the best songs EVER . . .
Trisha Leen
This was the Band for those who were seriously anti establishment and wanted to change the world. Plus have the best time in the struggle. God they were good!