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.
You're Gorgeous
Babybird Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember that tanktop you bought me
You wrote "You're gorgeous" on it
You took me to your rented motor car
And filmed me on the bonnet
You got me to hitch my knees up
You took an instamatic camera
And pulled my sleeves around my heart
Because you're gorgeous, I'd do anything for you
Because you're gorgeous, I know you'll get me through
You said my clothes were sexy
You tore away my shirt
You rubbed an ice-cube on my chest
Snapped me 'til it hurt
Because you're gorgeous, I'd do anything for you
Because you're gorgeous, our love will see us through
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
Bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, haha
You said I wasn't cheap
You paid me twenty pounds
You promised to put me in a magazine
On every table, in every lounge
Because you're gorgeous, I'd do anything for you
Because you're gorgeous, I know you'll get me through
Because you're gorgeous, I'd do anything for you
Because you're gorgeous, I know you'll get me, know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me through, know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me through, know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me through, know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me, know you'll get me through
I know you'll get me, know you'll get me, know you'll get me through
Because you're gorgeous, I'd do anything for you
Because you're gorgeous, I know you'll get me through
I know you'll get me, know you'll get me, I know you'll get me through
The lyrics to Babybird's song "You're Gorgeous" describe a relationship that is based on physical attraction and manipulation. The song tells the story of the singer's romantic partner who showers them with compliments and attention, but only to emphasize their beauty and use them for their own pleasure.
The opening lines of the song set the stage for the singer's objectification when the partner writes "You're gorgeous" on the singer's tank top. From there, the partner takes the singer to their rented motor car, where they film them on the bonnet, a clear attempt to create a cinematic romance aesthetic. The partner then manipulates the singer by making them contort their body for better photos and snaps until it hurts.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that the singer is willing to do anything for the partner because of their beauty, not out of genuine love or affection. The song ends on a sad note when the partner tells the singer that they will put them in a magazine and pay them 20 pounds, illustrating that their relationship is purely transactional and temporary.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember that tanktop you bought me
Recalling the time when you gifted me the tank top
You wrote 'You're gorgeous' on it
You expressed your appreciation for me by inscribing 'You're gorgeous' on it
You took me to your rented motor car
You took me to show off your hired car
And filmed me on the bonnet
You recorded me while I was standing on the front of your car
You got me to hitch my knees up
You requested me to raise my knees up
And pulled my legs apart
Then you separated my legs
You took an instamatic camera
You used an instant camera
And pulled my sleeves around my heart
Wrapped my sleeves around my chest
Because you're gorgeous, I'd do anything for you
I am willing to go to great lengths for you because you're beautiful
Because you're gorgeous, I know you'll get me through
Your attractive nature will help me overcome any obstacle
You said my clothes were sexy
You complimented my clothing as being provocative
You tore away my shirt
You removed my shirt forcibly
You rubbed an ice-cube on my chest
You placed an ice-cube on my chest
Snapped me 'til it hurt
Took multiple pictures of me until I was in pain
You said I wasn't cheap
You declared that I had value
You paid me twenty pounds
You gave me 20 pounds
You promised to put me in a magazine
You assured to feature me in a magazine
On every table, in every lounge
In every room, on every table, others would see me
Because you're gorgeous, our love will see us through
Our love, which is based on your stunning looks, will be our guiding light
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
Syllables sung as a part of the music.
Bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, bababa, haha
Syllables sung as a part of the music.
Because you're gorgeous, I know you'll get me, know you'll get me through
Because you're beautiful, I trust that you'll be my savior
Know you'll get me through, know you'll get me through
Assuming a positive outcome in situations because of how attractive you are
I know you'll get me through
I'm aware that your beautiful nature will always rescue me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Steven Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elled5922
LYRICS
[Intro]
Y o u r e g o r g e o u s
[Verse 1]
Remember that tank-top you bought me?
You wrote "you're gorgeous" on it
You took me to your rented motor car
And filmed me on the bonnet
You got me to hitch my knees up
And pulled my legs apart
You took an Instamatic camera
And pulled my sleeves around my heart
[Chorus]
Because you're gorgeous
I'd do anything for you
Because you're gorgeous
I know you'll get me through
[Verse 2]
You said my clothes were sexy
You tore away my shirt
You rubbed an ice cube on my chest
Snapped me till it hurt
[Chorus]
Because you're gorgeous
I'd do anything for you
Because you're gorgeous
I know you'll get me through
[Bridge]
[Verse 3]
You said I wasn't cheap
You paid me twenty pounds
You promised to put me in a magazine
On every table in every lounge
[Chorus]
Because you're gorgeous
I'd do anything for you
Because you're gorgeous
I know you'll get me through
[Outro]
Because you're gorgeous
I'd do anything for you
Because you're gorgeous
I know you'll get me
Know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me
Know you'll get me through
Know you'll get me
Know you'll get me
Know you'll get me through
Because you're gorgeous
I know you'll get me
Because you're gorgeous
I know you'll get me
@drdavidsands
Yes, dark enough to be played at weddings …. What a FAB paradox Stephen!
@clairemckendry1068
My mum used to sing the chorus to me when I was little, remember it to this day, would do anything to have my mum and the good old days back
@delmoon5491
AYE DEAD ON,
@belluccilover8679
So many memories. Summer of 96!
@janehenry9217
Best year ever!!!
@RyanCarbo96
The year I was born 😂 and now I'm coming up 28 I feel old as shit 😅
@benjamindurand3891
Love this song
@josephclift3662
You're listening to this because you're gorgeous
@user-nd6gi3bd3n
🌈🧗🏽♂️🧀🥝🧘♂️🆒🎶💟💕💟💟💟
@jackasmr2691
Wow! This just took me straight back to the 90s and being a teenager again 😊