He plays Manny Bianco in the sitcom "Black Books" and was a permanent fixture of "Never Mind the Buzzcocks" on the BBC for 11 series' until October 2008. He had a supporting role in Spaced as Bilbo Bagshot the comic book store owner as well as appearing in the 2011 Christmas special of Doctor Who. Bill has done 6 live tours so far: Cosmic Jam, Bewilderness, Part Troll, Tinselworm, Dandelion Mind and Qualmpeddler.
Tinselworm was recorded onto CDs at each individual show and sold to the audience at the end of the show, it is believed that this is the first time it has been done on a Comedy Tour.
Cockney Medley
Bill Bailey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Things are tough when you're out on your own
It's a thrill its a will to survive
It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of your rival
You're the last sole survivor
You're the cream of the crop
Of the tiger
Oh, take me down to the paradise city
Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty
Won't you take me down
The Old Kent Road
I'm so excited, I just can't hide it
I'm out of control and think I like it
Heathcliffe, it's me, I'm Kathy, I've come home
Put the kettle on, have a lovely cup of tea
I'm the firestarter, the cockney firestarter
I'm the cockney firestarter
I'm the cockney firestarter
I start the cockney fires
I get my cockney matches out
This one doesn't really work...
You stitched me right up baby, right up
Like a kipper baby, right up, right up
You stitched me right up baby, right up
Like a kipper baby, right up, right up
The bats have left the bell tower
The virgins have been bled
'Cos Bella Lugosi's dead
He had a girls name
Bella Lugosi's dead
Undead, Undead, Undead
Bella Lugosi's dead
I'll have his chips then
Bella Lugosi's dead
This means nothing to me oh Vienna
Here in my car I feel safest of all
I can lock all my doors
Put the handbrake on
Sitting in my lovely car
I've never seen you looking so lovely as you look tonight
Never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many people looking like they wanna' have a lovely little dance
Lookin' for a little romance
Lady in red
Is dancing with me, oy
Cheek to cheek
I'll never forget
The way you look tonight
You scrubbed up lovely for a posh bird
The lyrics to Bill Bailey’s “Cockney Medley” are a mash-up of various famous songs with newly added lyrics to create a humorous and nostalgic tribute to the Cockney culture. The first few lines are derived from Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” which describes the thrill of rising up and facing challenges. Bailey adds a twist by referencing the Old Kent Road, which is a historically significant street in the southeast of London. The next few lines are taken from Guns N’ Roses’ “Paradise City” about heading to a city where life is good and full of beautiful people. Bailey juxtaposes this with a call to head to the Old Kent Road instead, which he ends up changing to “The Dog and Duck”.
Bailey then moves on to reference The Pointer Sisters’ “I’m So Excited” and Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights”. The latter lyrics are particularly hilarious, with Bailey referencing Kathy’s famous entrance and requesting a cup of tea. He then switches back to a punk rock vibe with The Prodigy’s “Firestarter”, but with a Cockney twist on it. The remaining songs referenced include Bauhaus’ “Bella Lugosi’s Dead”, Ultravox’s “Vienna”, Gary Numan’s “Cars” and Chris de Burgh’s “Lady in Red”.
Despite the seemingly disparate sources, Bailey manages to create a medley that is both humorous and nostalgic, capturing the spirit of the working-class Cockney culture with a mix of punk rock, pop, and rock classics.
Line by Line Meaning
Rising up, take your time, to the challenge of your rival
Slowly and steadily face the difficulty that comes from being alone, and rise up to triumph over it.
Things are tough when you're out on your own
Being independent can be challenging and difficult.
It's a thrill its a will to survive
Surviving and living independently is a thrilling and exciting challenge.
It's the eye of the tiger
It is the fierce attitude required to overcome a difficult situation.
It's the thrill of the fight
Challenging and fighting for one's independence provides excitement and motivation.
You're the last sole survivor
You are the only one left standing and surviving independently.
You're the cream of the crop
You are the best and most successful out of those who are also independent.
It's a thrill when you look in the eye of the tiger
It is exciting and invigorating to overcome difficult challenges through determination and ferocity.
Oh, take me down to the paradise city
Take me to a place of happiness and ease.
Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty
A place where everything is good and enjoyable.
Won't you take me down
Please bring me to this place of happiness.
The Old Kent Road
A famous street in London.
I'm so excited, I just can't hide it
I am enthusiastic and thrilled, and it shows.
I'm out of control and think I like it
I am exhilarated and comfortable with the loss of control over my behavior at the moment.
Heathcliffe, it's me, I'm Kathy, I've come home
I have returned home, where I belong.
Put the kettle on, have a lovely cup of tea
Brew some tea and let's relax and catch up.
I'm the firestarter, the cockney firestarter
I am the one who ignites a fire, specifically as a Cockney resident of London.
I'm the cockney firestarter
I am a resident of London who ignites fires.
I start the cockney fires
I am the one who begins fires in the Cockney district of London.
I get my cockney matches out
I prepare materials to ignite a fire in the Cockney district of London.
You stitched me right up baby, right up
You have tricked and deceived me.
Like a kipper baby, right up, right up
You tricked me like a kipper, meaning that you've folded me in half.
The bats have left the bell tower
Something interesting has happened in a gloomy, dark place.
The virgins have been bled
Something tragic or bad has occurred in a dark place involving virgins.
'Cos Bella Lugosi's dead
Bella Lugosi has passed away.
He had a girls name
Bella is a female name.
Bella Lugosi's dead
Bella Lugosi has died.
Undead, Undead, Undead
Still considered alive but is actually not.
I'll have his chips then
I will claim or take things left behind by Bella Lugosi.
This means nothing to me oh Vienna
I have no understanding or appreciation for Vienna or its culture.
Here in my car I feel safest of all
I feel secure and protected in my car.
I can lock all my doors
I can ensure that I am safe from external threats in my car.
Put the handbrake on
Apply the handbrake to the car in order to park it.
Sitting in my lovely car
I am sitting and feeling comfortable in my car.
I've never seen you looking so lovely as you look tonight
You look exceptionally good tonight.
Never seen you shine so bright
You look exceptionally bright and attractive tonight.
I've never seen so many people looking like they wanna' have a lovely little dance
Many people around me seem curious and interested in having a good time.
Lookin' for a little romance
Seeking a bit of romance or a romantic partner.
Lady in red
A woman dressed in red.
Is dancing with me, oy
She is dancing with me, and it's quite exciting and unexpected.
Cheek to cheek
We are dancing in close contact with one another, cheek to cheek.
I'll never forget
This moment will remain in my memory forever.
The way you look tonight
You look absolutely gorgeous tonight.
You scrubbed up lovely for a posh bird
You are looking exceptionally good and well prepared for a luxurious or fancy occasion, according to Cockney slang.
Contributed by Christopher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ninjabob2456
Just experienced the original Bela Lugosi's Dead for the first time. Not sure how he got it to this but I have to say he improves on it greatly.
The Hammer Games
thankyou so much. i have been looking for this version for years
krazyhartin
I'm a cockney firestarter! LOL!
Filby
Inexplicable Bleach slideshow, but great song. Thanks!
agfagaevart
Down the old kent road! LOL!
Hayley Young
Bleach & Bailey EPIC WIN!!