Folk music
In 1965, together with Tam Harvey, Connolly started a group called the Humblebums. At their first gig, Connolly introduced them both to the audience by saying, "My name's Billy Connolly, and I'm humble. This is Tam Harvey, he's a bum." The band would later include Gerry Rafferty. Connolly sang, played banjo and guitar, and entertained the audience with his humorous introductions to the songs.
In his World Tour of Scotland, Connolly reveals that at a trailer show during the Edinburgh Festival, the Humblebums took to the stage just before the late Yehudi Menuhin.
The trio broke up in 1971, at which point Connolly went solo. His first solo album in 1972, Billy Connolly Live! on Transatlantic Records, features Connolly as a singer, songwriter, and musician.
His early albums were a mixture of comedy performances with comedic and serious musical interludes. Among his best known musical performances were "The Welly Boot Song", a comical ode to the working class which became his theme song for several years; "In the Brownies", a parody of the Village People classics "Y.M.C.A." and "In the Navy" (for which Connolly filmed a music video); "Two Little Boys in Blue", a tongue-in-cheek indictment of police brutality done to the tune of Rolf Harris' "Two Little Boys"; and the ballad "I Wish I Was in Glasgow" which Connolly would later perform on a guest appearance on the 1990s American sitcom Pearl (which starred Rhea Perlman). He also performed the occasional Humblebums-era song such as "Oh, No!" as well as straightforward covers such as a version of Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors" which was included on his Riotous Assembly album.
In November 1975, his spoof of the Tammy Wynette song "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" had a one-week spell as the UK's No. 1 single. Wynette's original was about parents spelling out words of an impending marital split to avoid traumatizing their young child. Connolly's version "D.I.V.O.R.C.E.", on the other hand, played off of the fact that many dog owners use the same tactic when they do not wish their pet to become upset about an impending trip to the veterinarian. His song is about a couple whose marriage is ruined by a bad vet visit (spelling out "W.O.R.M." or "Q.U.A.R.A.N.T.I.N.E.", for example.)
His song "No Chance" was a parody of J.J. Barrie's "No Charge".
In 1985 he sang the theme song to Supergran, which was released as a single and in 1996 he performed a cover of Ralph McTell's In The Dreamtime as the theme to his World Tour of Australia. By the late 1980s, Connolly had all but dropped the music from his act, though he still records the occasional musical performance. In 1998 he covered The Beatles' "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" on the George Martin tribute, In My Life and he also recorded a rewritten version of Alanis Morissette's "Hand in My Pocket" entitled "The Evil Scotsman". Most recently, he sang a song during the film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Connolly is among the artists featured on Banjoman, a tribute to American folk musician Derroll Adams, released in 2002. He plays one song, "The Rock".
Stand-up comedy
It is as a stand-up comedian that Connolly is best known. His observational comedy is idiosyncratic and often off-the-cuff. He talks about himself, who he is, where he's been, what he thinks and how he reacts to the world around him. He has outraged audiences, critics and, of course, the media with his free use of the word "fuck". He has used masturbation, blasphemy, defecation, flatulence, sex, his father's illness and his aunts' cruelty to entertain. By exploring these subjects with humour, Connolly has done much to strip away the taboos surrounding them. Yet he does not tell jokes in the conventional way. At the end of a concert the audience can be convulsed with laughter but few can remember a specific "funny" line.
One of Connolly's most famous comedy skits is "The Crucifixion", an early 1970s recording in which he likens Christ's Last Supper to a drunken night out in Glasgow. The recording was banned by many radio stations at the time. Around this same time, a joke told during a television talk show appearance (about a murderer and his bike) became a sensation that, reportedly, people still remember three decades after the appearance. (A transcript of the complete joke can be found here).
Billy Connolly also performed a sketch broadcast on TV, when talking about national anthems, and comparing the UK's slow tune to the lively ones of many other nations, Billy suggested that it should be replaced by the theme tune to The Archers.
Connolly's style has changed over the years to be less controversial and more observational. Including topics such as himself aging, stories about where he has been and other aspects of his life. He also exclaims "Oh, I must tell you!" and vocalises whatever thought occurs to him. Another feature is his ability to break off onto a tangent mid-topic and return to it later -- sometimes as long as an hour later.
Awards
Connolly was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Glasgow on 11 July, 2001. This particularly bemused his wife, who noted that she had studied for six years to obtain her Ph.D., whereas Billy merely had to turn up and collect his. 2003 saw him presented with a BAFTA Lifetime Achievement award and a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
On 4 July 2006, Connolly was awarded an honorary doctorate by Glasgow's Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) for his service to performing arts [5].
Trivia
* While being interviewed with his wife on the Irish Late Late Show, Connolly proved how easily he forgets many great lines that other comedians could only hope to think of. The presenter was trying to get Connolly to reproduce a funny line he had read in "Bravemouth" about Connolly knowing of an organism that lives on a human eyelid that has two penises. He asked Connolly "What was it called?" to which Connolly replied "Some latin name that I can't remember". His wife then interrupted "But the translation means lucky bastard, right", to which Connolly broke down in a fit of laughter. When he complemented his wife on the line, she had to remind him that it was his own original line which he had forgotten.
* Connolly is a lifelong supporter of Glasgow football team, Celtic, and is often seen at their home games.
* Connolly came second in The Glasgow Herald's poll, "The Most Scottish Person In The World". Number one was Wee Jimmy Krankie (see The Krankies), while third place went to Russ Abbott's impersonation of a Scotsman.
Shoe Shine Boy
Billy Connolly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shoeshine boy, I know it ain't funny cleanin' everything on two feet
Get down, get down upon your knees and brush your blues away
It won't be long ‘til Saturday night and you'll be dancin' with your lady ‘til the break of day.
Shoeshine boy, don't have no ambition, just wants to be a kerbside boot black
Shoeshine boy, your daddy's getting older, gotta take the weight off his back
Get down, get down upon your knees and brush your blues away
You know you feel so good when she comes to need you
And when you're dancin' together, you just can't beat you.
Get down, get down upon your knees and brush your blues away
It won't be long ‘til Saturday night and you'll be dancin' with your lady ‘til the break of day.
You know you feel so good when she comes to need you
And when you're dancin' together, you just can't beat you.
Shoeshine boy, he's makin' his money workin' dowtown on Main Street
Shoeshine boy, I know it ain't funny cleanin' everything on two feet
Get down, get down upon your knees and brush your blues away
It won't be long ‘til Saturday night and you'll be dancin' with your lady ‘til the break of day.
The lyrics of Billy Connolly's Shoe Shine Boy tell the story of a young boy who shines shoes for a living in downtown Main Street. Despite the nature of his work, the lyrics express happiness and optimism towards life, as the boy eagerly looks forward to the weekend where he can escape the drudgery of his work and 'dance with his lady until the break of day.'
The lyrics also suggest that the boy has no big ambitions in life and is content with his seemingly menial job. However, there is also an undertone of responsibility towards his family, as his father is getting older and he needs to take the weight off his back.
Overall, the lyrics of Shoe Shine Boy are motivational and uplifting as they suggest that irrespective of one's social standing in life, happiness can be found in simple things like the loving company of a partner and the thrill of dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
Shoeshine boy, he's makin' his money workin' downtown on Main Street
The shoeshine boy is earning a living shining shoes in the town's main street.
Shoeshine boy, I know it ain't funny cleanin' everything on two feet
The job of shining shoes is not glamorous, but it pays the bills.
Get down, get down upon your knees and brush your blues away
Shining shoes is hard work, but it can be therapeutic and help relieve stress.
It won't be long ‘til Saturday night and you'll be dancin' with your lady ‘til the break of day.
Despite the hard work, the shoeshine boy looks forward to Saturday night when he can relax and dance with his loved one.
Shoeshine boy, don't have no ambition, just wants to be a kerbside boot black
The shoeshine boy may not have grand aspirations, but he is content with his job and takes pride in his work.
Shoeshine boy, your daddy's getting older, gotta take the weight off his back
The shoeshine boy may be working to support his family, particularly his aging father who may no longer be able to work.
You know you feel so good when she comes to need you / And when you're dancin' together, you just can't beat you.
The shoeshine boy feels great when his partner comes to see him and when they dance together, nothing beats the joy in his heart.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERRY RAFFERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@capothree
My friend Tony K. and I played this when we were at Cardiff Uni before we went out to the disco to get us in the mood.
@gratistoch
Thnx 4 putting this song on YT, brings back memories which I had with a lovely girl at the beach in Scheveningen in The Netherlands.
@jimwalker9373
I play this song at parties and it's great to ask " Who sung this" they don't beleave me when I tell them , what a brilliant tune, always loved it
@ResilientMichael
RIP Gerry R. Thanks for being a wonderful part of the soundtrack of my Life! Peace to you and yours.
@1130maui
Should have been a hit.
This is the first time I've heard this song and it's one of my favorites now!!
What a great sound!
@allsorts7049
I only heard of this band after Rafferty moved to a better place since then wanted to hear them and it’s my first day today brilliant stuff
@annmariesheridan5860
Brings back memories
@ballochdubh
Two of Scotlands greatest sons, these two were brilliant performers. Sorry we lost you Gerry it was all to soon.
@allsorts7049
Definitely right they the best
@thomasdbrady3696
Just a shame Gerry fell victim to the drink