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
You
Au Pairs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are undefined
You, they know your past
They know your scars
They know who was with you last night
They never knew
They know about the scars under your leg
You, you are just another you
You are undefined
You, they know your past
You, they know your scars
They are trying to make you into something bad
You don't have no rights at all
You are just a social mishap
You in a nice living home
Are you
Are you
Are you
Are you
You never never never never never
Never never never never never
Never never never never never
Never never never never never
You they rung your telephone
You are just a social disease
They don't wanna leave you it alone
They know your past and emotionally
Are you
Are you
Are you
You
You are just another you
You are undefined
You, they know your past
You they know your scars
Never never never never never
Never never never never never
Never never never never never
Never never never never never
Never never never never never
The song "You" by Au Pairs makes a powerful statement about how society defines and judges individuals based on their past, their scars, and their behavior, and how those labels stick and keep people from defining themselves on their own terms. The opening lines, "You, you are just another you/ You are undefined," set the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing that individuals are more than just their past, and should be defined by their personal choices rather than others' perceptions or expectations.
The lyrics also bring attention to the idea that people can't escape their past, and how society is judgmental and keen to label and confine people. This is reflected in the line: "They are trying to make you into something bad/ You don't have no rights at all/ You are just a social mishap." The song also touches on the emotional burden of being judged and defined by others, as in the lines, "They know your past and emotionally/ Are you/ Are you/ Are you."
Overall, "You" is a song that speaks to individual and societal identity issues because it emphasizes the importance of defining ourselves on our own terms, rather than being defined by others; it urges us to move beyond our past and scars to become our own unique, undefined selves.
Line by Line Meaning
You, you are just another you
You feel like you are not unique or special
You are undefined
You lack a clear sense of identity
You, they know your past
People judge you based on your past mistakes and experiences
They know your scars
People can see the emotional and physical pain you have endured
They know who was with you last night
People monitor your every move and are quick to judge your actions
They never knew
People don't truly understand who you are or what you're going through
They know about the scars under your leg
People may be aware of your emotional scars even if they are not visible
They know when you lie, dye your hair
People are quick to notice changes in your appearance or behavior and draw conclusions
They are trying to make you into something bad
People are intentionally trying to ruin your reputation and make you appear negative
You don't have no rights at all
You feel powerless and unable to control your own life
You are just a social mishap
You feel like you don't fit in and are unwelcome in social settings
You in a nice living home
You feel confined or trapped in a living situation that may seem pleasant but is actually restricting
They rung your telephone
People are constantly trying to reach out to you and insert themselves into your life
You are just a social disease
You feel like people view you as a burden or a problem that needs to be solved
They don't wanna leave you it alone
People won't stop bothering or harassing you despite your protests
They know your past and emotionally
People not only judge your past mistakes, but also your current emotional state
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Pete Hammond, Paul Foad, Lesley Woods, Jane Munro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
freakbeatagogo
still spin this 45 vinyl regularly - kerb crawler and domestic departure on the B side are equally as good. Ah those punk nights at the Fighting Cocks pub in Moseley. Good old 021 Records - happy days
Arron Kuiper
fucking epic song thank you!!
freakbeatagogo
love u guys brum 1979,rules
Ziemniak33
KTO Z POLSKI ŁAPKA W GÓRE !
why is thom yorke
yass