Jones had begun writing songs and recording home demos as part of an experimental theatre group in Sheffield. A collection of these demos (I Was Born a Man) was released in the summer of 1995, under the name Baby Bird. Following a warm critical reception for this record, he recruited a band made up of Huw Chadbourne (keyboards), Robert Gregory (drums), John Pedder (bass) and Luke Scott (guitar), in order to tour and promote his work.
During 1995, two further albums of demo recordings were released under the name Baby Bird (Bad Shave and Fatherhood) and two in 1996 (The Happiest Man Alive and Dying Happy).
By the end of the year, a decent public following had been built up, as well as quite considerable excitment within the press and music industry. Babybird were signed to Echo Records (a division of the Chrysalis Group), and the first "proper" single, a full-band recording of "Goodnight", which had appeared in demo form on Fatherhood, was eventually released in the summer of 1996, becoming a minor chart hit in the UK.
"You're Gorgeous"
The second single, You're Gorgeous, reached number 3 in the UK in October 1996, and was also one of the biggest selling singles of the year, going on to chart around the world. This remains the song for which Stephen Jones and Babybird are best known.
However, it presented a much more commercial face to the public in comparison to Jones' previous work. The early demo albums won Jones great credibility with those who heard them, but had not reached a wide audience (each one being a one-off pressing). Arguably, the commercial sound and success of "You're Gorgeous", which received massive exposure by comparison, made it hard for many to take Jones seriously as an indie artist. Essentially, what he was best at was no longer what he was best known for.
After "You're Gorgeous"
The album Ugly Beautiful was released to a warm reception, but was not the unmitigated critical triumph that some had anticipated from Babybird's first studio-recorded album. The album produced two more hit singles, Candy Girl and Cornershop.
Babybird returned, minus keyboardist Huw Chadbourne, in 1998 with There's Something Going On, preceded by a single, Bad Old Man. The album was a modest success and was followed by further minor hits, If You'll Be Mine and Back Together.
In 2000, a line-up of Babybird comprising Stephen Jones, Luke Scott and Matt Hay created a third album. Bugged, which was well-received critically (it might be suggested that it is an album of the right quality, but four years later than expected). However, sales were poor and the two singles from it, The F-Word (later the theme tune to a UK TV cookery show of the same name) and Out of Sight barely dented the charts. Babybird were dropped by their record label soon after. A third single from the album Fireflies was released on Animal Noise records, but sold few copies. The band subsequently split.
Stephen Jones went on to write fiction, release solo work and score a film, Blessed, in 2004.
In October 2005, a posting on the official Babybird website announced that the band had reformed as a three-piece featuring Stephen, Luke Scott and Robert Gregory, and would be releasing new material in 2006.
The last CD, called "Between My Ears There's Nothing But Music", was released in autumn 2006 and didn't seem to have encountered a big success.
Stephen Jones has also released Solo material, not to be confused with the american artist of the same name.
In September 2009, Stephen Jones launched an online Babybird community, on which he regularly posts.
A brief tour of the UK was undertaken in November 2009 with the lineup of Stephen Jones, Luke Scott and Robert Gregory. This tour was to promote the new album, Ex-Maniac, due for release in February 2010. Johnny Depp, a long time fan, appears on the album Ex-Maniac, as guitarist in the first single off the album, Unloveable.
The Life
Babybird Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
motherfucking itch
and I am going to hell
they got this small pen, fat pig
2 foot by one and it's beginning to smell
i got this low brow, white trash smoking my tongue and i'm being kissed like a kid
they got this hi-fi, big sound
i got the life
i never thought
that i'd be born with
but now i'm itching
for you to scratch me
like all the records
that your needle has worn
i got a six pack, big ship no deck kid
who couldn't write when he sung
he took a mic in his hand like a prick on a rope and waited there to be swung
they got this big light white wash spot on his tan and watched it burning his skin
and then the hi-fi white trash smoking my ear
got his face kicked in
i got the life
i never thought
that i'd be born with
but now i'm itching
for you to scratch me
like all the records
that your needle has worn
with the screen round my face
covered in light I will never go blind
i got this cable satellite nibbling my eyes
but i can't switch off my mind
i got this low brow white trash licking my skull
and it feels so good
it's got this big pull, half full little buzz
that i've misunderstood
I got the life
I never thought
that I'd be born with
but now I'm itching
for you to scratch me
like all the records
that your needle has worn
The lyrics of Babybird’s “The Life” depict a protagonist who is engulfed in a life that they never thought they would be born with, but is now struggling to escape. The use of contrasting imagery in the song is striking, with references to lowbrow white trash smoking and licking, while the hi-fi sound is bleeding ears. The singer is also using drug references like itching and scratching, indicating a reliance on drugs or other self-destructive behaviors. However, the song ends on a note of misunderstanding, where the singer acknowledges they have misunderstood something or perhaps everything.
The song’s lyrics can be interpreted in multiple ways. It could be seen as a commentary on how society’s glorification of the wealthy and the famous takes a toll on those of lesser means who long for a better life. It could also be interpreted as a commentary on addiction and the false allure of escaping reality through drugs or other destructive habits.
The use of contrasting imagery in the song and its somewhat nonsensical lyrics make it open to interpretation and discussion, which is characteristic of many Babybird songs.
Line by Line Meaning
I got this no good, deadwood motherfucking itch
I have a worthless and annoying feeling, like a persistent itch.
and I am going to hell
I feel like my current situation or behavior is leading me towards inevitable failure and punishment.
they got this small pen, fat pig 2 foot by one and it's beginning to smell
An unpleasant and degrading prison environment, symbolized by a small and dirty cell.
i got this low brow, white trash smoking my tongue and i'm being kissed like a kid
An unhealthy attraction to someone who is considered low class or vulgar, reminiscent of a child being influenced by an adult.
they got this hi-fi, big sound bleeding my ears and I can't get rid
Being forced to listen to loud and unpleasant music, with no means of escape.
i got the life
Having a certain lifestyle, environment or experience.
i never thought that i'd be born with
Feeling like the current situation or environment is not something that was anticipated or desired.
but now i'm itching for you to scratch me like all the records that your needle has worn
Craving for someone to provide relief or pleasure, like an old and familiar record that has been played so many times that it's scratched.
i got a six pack, big ship no deck kid who couldn't write when he sung
A talented singer who lacks the ability to write songs or create a complete work of art.
he took a mic in his hand like a prick on a rope and waited there to be swung
Feeling vulnerable and exposed, while waiting to perform or present oneself in front of an audience.
they got this big light white wash spot on his tan and watched it burning his skin
Being under the scrutiny of others, who are critical or disrespectful to one's appearance or personality.
and then the hi-fi white trash smoking my ear got his face kicked in
Retaliating with violent or aggressive behavior towards someone who is causing irritation or discomfort.
with the screen round my face covered in light I will never go blind
Being addicted or obsessed with technology or media, but feeling like it's not causing physical harm or damage to one's body or mind.
i got this cable satellite nibbling my eyes but i can't switch off my mind
Being constantly exposed to negative or harmful information, while unable to shut off one's thoughts or emotions.
i got this low brow white trash licking my skull and it feels so good
Having a guilty pleasure or attraction towards something or someone who is considered inappropriate or taboo.
it's got this big pull, half full little buzz that i've misunderstood
Feeling drawn or compelled to something, but with a sense of confusion or ignorance towards its true nature or consequences.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN PAUL MASON, RICHARD GREENTREE, ROBIN JONES, JOHN MACLEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind