Adamson left school and shifted into graphic design attending Stockport Art College[3] but quit shortly after, favouring to venture into the exploding punk rock scene of the late 1970s. He joined ex-Buzzcocks singer Howard Devoto's band Magazine, playing bass guitar, scoring one chart single, "Shot by Both Sides"; in late 1977, he also joined Buzzcocks, as a short-time replacement of Garth Smith. He played on all of Magazine's albums, and contributed to Devoto's solo album and his next band, Luxuria. He also contributed to the studio-based band Visage, playing on the ensemble's first two albums, Visage and The Anvil.
After Magazine broke up, Adamson worked with another ex-Buzzcock, Pete Shelley, before joining Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. He appeared on five of that band's albums: From Her to Eternity; The Firstborn Is Dead; Kicking Against the Pricks; Your Funeral, My Trial; and Tender Prey. After his stint in the band, he went solo, releasing an EP, The Man with the Golden Arm in 1988, and his first solo album, Moss Side Story, the following year, the soundtrack to a non-existent film noir.[4] The album incorporated newscasts and sampled sound effects and featured guest musicians Marcia Schofield (of The Fall), Diamanda Galas, Roland S. Howard, and former colleagues from the Bad Seeds.[4] Adamson's second solo album was the soundtrack to a real film this time - Carl Colpaert's Delusion, and he would go on to provide sountracks for several other films.[4]
Adamson's third album, Soul Murder, was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 1992.[4][5]
His solo work is influenced by John Barry, Elmer Bernstein and Ennio Morricone. Later works have included jazz, electronica, soul, funk, and dub styles.
In 2002, Adamson left his long-term label, Mute Records, and started his own 'production home', Central Control International. In 2006, he released Stranger on the Sofa, first for his Central Control International imprint, to critical acclaim. Back To The Cat, his second album for the label, was released in March 2008.[1]
In 2007 it was announced that Magazine would reform for concerts in 2008. Adamson will be part of this and the same line up that recorded Secondhand Daylight will reform, with the exception of the late John McGeoch. McGeoch will be replaced by Luxuria/Apollo 440 member Noko.
It's Business as Usual
Barry Adamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
are you there?
listen, i've been up all night thinking about you
and it- i really think you- it would be good if we could get together and talk about this thing
because i really miss you and i love you
and i'm walking with the baby right now and we miss you
i want you to come home
you know we were, we were- uh- at the park yesterday and i saw you and i thought that you saw me too but
you were walking straight towards me, and
i thought you were coming to see us, you know
you walked right fucking past me
what the hell is going on with you
i know you love us, we love you too
please come home, we miss you
i want it to be like it used to be
good morning, i got news for you
i saw you with her, i saw you
i keep good track of my girl
i keep good track of my woman
i saw you, walking, the way you do
strutting your stuff
my woman, my baby
i was walking, paying close attention
to what she was doing
she walked up to you, at the park
i don't like it
i don't fucking like it
got me?
so listen
knock that shit off or i'll knock you off, you shit
i don't wanna embarrass myself or anything
you know if you don't care anymore but, i had to call
i'm very lonely and frightened you know, and i
feel crazy sometimes
and i think about this
and you know, i think about it all the time
i love you baby
i love you so much
The song "It's Business as Usual" by Barry Adamson is a story of a troubled relationship. The lyrics begin with a woman leaving messages for her lover, begging him to come home. She expresses her love for him and how much she misses him. But the man seems to be ignoring her calls, and when they accidentally meet at the park, he walks past her without acknowledging her presence. The woman is confused and hurt, wondering what is going on with him.
The second part of the song is a sudden shift in tone, with a man threatening the person he believes is involved with his woman. He claims to have seen them together and doesn't like it. He warns the person to stay away from her, or he'll take matters into his own hands. The man's anger suggests that he's possessive and controlling, and there's a possibility that he's the reason for the woman's distress in the first half.
Overall, the song showcases the darker and more troubled aspects of relationships, where possession and jealousy can lead to violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr adamson? barry?
Person trying to get Barry Adamson's attention
are you there?
Asking if Barry Adamson is listening
listen, i've been up all night thinking about you
Person expressing their concern and desire to talk to Barry Adamson about something important
and it- i really think you- it would be good if we could get together and talk about this thing
Person is emphasizing the importance of talking with Barry Adamson and how it would be beneficial for both parties
because i really miss you and i love you
Person expressing their love and longing for Barry Adamson
and i'm walking with the baby right now and we miss you
Person is walking with a child and emphasizing that the child misses Barry Adamson too
i want you to come home
Person is pleading with Barry Adamson to come back home
you know we were, we were- uh- at the park yesterday and i saw you and i thought that you saw me too but
Person is recalling a recent encounter at the park with Barry Adamson
i guess you didn't see me
Realizing that Barry Adamson did not see them at the park
you were walking straight towards me, and
Recalling that Barry Adamson was walking in their direction
i thought you were coming to see us, you know
Person thought that Barry Adamson was coming to spend time with them at the park
you walked right fucking past me
Barry Adamson did not acknowledge the person and walked past them
what the hell is going on with you
Person is frustrated and confused as to why Barry Adamson is acting this way
i know you love us, we love you too
Person knows that Barry Adamson loves them and they reciprocate those feelings
please come home, we miss you
Person is pleading for Barry Adamson to come back home because they miss him
i want it to be like it used to be
Person wants things to go back to how they were before Barry Adamson left
good morning, i got news for you
Person greets Barry Adamson and has news for him
i saw you with her, i saw you
Person saw Barry Adamson with another woman
i keep good track of my girl
Person is keeping tabs on their partner
i keep good track of my woman
Person is emphasizing that they are keeping track of their partner
i saw you, walking, the way you do
Person is describing how they saw Barry Adamson walking
strutting your stuff
Person is accusing Barry Adamson of showing off in front of the other woman
my woman, my baby
Person is claiming ownership over their partner and child
i was walking, paying close attention
Person was walking and carefully observing their surroundings
to what she was doing
Person was watching what their partner was doing
she walked up to you, at the park
Other woman approached Barry Adamson at the park
i don't like it
Person is expressing their disapproval of the situation
i don't fucking like it
Person is emphasizing their disapproval in a stronger way
got me?
Person is making sure that Barry Adamson understands what they are saying
so listen
Person is trying to get Barry Adamson's attention
knock that shit off or i'll knock you off, you shit
Person is making a threat towards Barry Adamson to stop his behavior or face consequences
i don't wanna embarrass myself or anything
Person is hesitant to express their feelings and does not want to appear foolish
you know if you don't care anymore but, i had to call
Person is wondering if Barry Adamson still cares about them, but felt the need to call anyways
i'm very lonely and frightened you know, and i
Person is feeling lonely and scared, and wants to reach out to Barry Adamson
feel crazy sometimes
Person is admitting that they feel overwhelmed and may not be thinking rationally
and i think about this
Person is always thinking about their situation with Barry Adamson
and you know, i think about it all the time
Person is constantly thinking about their relationship with Barry Adamson
i love you baby
Person is expressing their love for Barry Adamson
i love you so much
Person emphasizes how much they love Barry Adamson
Writer(s): CARLA BOSLAVICH, BARRY ANTHONY ADAMSON, JOHN NAPIER
Contributed by Connor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.