Despite being championed by John Peel, The Birthday Party found little commercial success during their career. Though often indirect, their influence has been far-reaching, and have been called one of "the darkest and most challenging post-punk groups to emerge in the early '80s."[3] Their music was classified by critic Simon Reynolds as gothic rock.[1] In his lyrics, Nick Cave combined "sacred and profane" things,[1] using old testament imagery,[1] with stories about sin, curses and damnation.[1] Their 1981 single "Release the Bats" was particularly influential in the gothic scene.[1]
Despite their limited commercial success, the creative core of the Birthday Party have gone on to acclaimed careers: singer and songwriter Nick Cave, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Mick Harvey, and singer, songwriter and guitarist Rowland S. Howard.
Final years (1982–1983)For the Party, things had changed. Calvert was ejected in 1982; he was reportedly "unable to nail down the beats for 'Dead Joe' to everyone's satisfaction",[9] and Harvey moved to drums. When Pew was jailed for drunk driving and petty theft early in 1982, Chris Walsh, Barry Adamson and Howard's brother Harry replaced him for live appearances and brief studio work. Pew rejoined the band in July.
The Mutiny EP contained lyrics evoking blasphemy, words which were as dark as the gothic poems of Lautréamont.[1] The title track portrayed a dirty heaven with rats and trash.[1]
In 1982 a spin-off group with Lydia Lunch, Honeymoon In Red, recorded an album which was eventually released in 1987. Harvey and Cave were reportedly so unhappy with the mixing and overdubbing done after their involvement that they requested their names be withheld from its liner notes. Howard and Pew apparently had no objections to being credited by name.
A tour in January 1983 found the group return to a five-piece, with Jeffrey Wegener playing drums and Harvey returning to second guitar. Wegener did not remain with the group, however, and they returned to a four-piece soon after. Later this year, Blixa Bargeld from the German band Einstürzende Neubauten played guitar on the track "Mutiny in Heaven". Tension between Cave and Howard soon came to a head, but it was Harvey who first left the group – their final tour saw Des Hefner on drums. The Birthday Party disbanded in late 1983, due in part to the split between Cave and Howard, as well as work and drug-related exhaustion.
[edit] Post-breakup, legacy and influenceSeveral groups rose from the Birthday Party's ashes: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (featuring Cave, Harvey, Adamson, Bargeld and briefly Pew), Crime and the City Solution (featuring Harvey and Howard, later just Harvey) and These Immortal Souls (featuring Howard).
Pew died from injuries caused by an epileptic seizure in 1986.
Due in part to their legendary status and to the continuing success of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Birthday Party's back catalogue has been re-released on CD several times. In recent years Mick Harvey has overseen releases of rare or previously unissued recordings.
Happy Birthday
Birthday Party Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
we are at lots of fun fun fun
and it's ice-cream and jelly
and a punch in the belly
and see how his face glows
it's a bike! what a surprise.
it's a big bike. what a big surprise.
it's a red bike. what a red surprise.
oh, what a surprise.
but the best thing there
but the best thing there
was the wonderful dog chair
was the beautiful dog chair
that could count right up to ten
it could count right up to ten
it went woof, woof, woof, woof, woof,
woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.
and it's another happy day
he was born eleven years ago
and this year it's long trousers
and a very smart tie.
just think in five years he'll be shaving.
and see how his face glows
it's an ninja sword. what a surprise!
it's a samurai sword. what a metal surprise.
he'll remember this day for the rest of his life.
but the best thing there
but the best thing there
is that sensuous dog chair
the immaculate dog chair
that could count right up to eleven
it could count right up to eleven
it went woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof,
woof, woof, woof.
but the best thing there
but the best thing there
was my darling the dog chair
but the rampaging dog chair
that could count right up to eleven
it could count right up to eleven.
and it went round and round the house.
The lyrics of Birthday Party's song "Happy Birthday" depict the celebration of a child's birthday party. The song talks about the various things that make the day happy and enjoyable for everyone. The first verse talks about the fun and games that the kids are having, including throwing things over the walls and getting hit in the belly. Ice-cream and jelly are also mentioned as part of the fun.
The second verse describes the best thing at the birthday party- the dog chair. The dog chair is an unusual and quirky element that adds to the amusement of the party. The dog chair is described as being able to count to ten and it repeatedly says "woof" ten times. The repetition of the word "woof" adds to the playful and happy mood of the song.
The third verse is about the birthday boy and how he has grown up over the years. The mention of long trousers and a tie indicates that he is becoming more mature. The line "just think in five years he'll be shaving" further shows the passage of time and how the child is growing up. The verse ends with a description of a surprise gift- a ninja sword or a samurai sword, depending on the version of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
it's a very happy day
Today is a joyous occasion.
we are at lots of fun fun fun
We are enjoying ourselves immensely.
and it's ice-cream and jelly
We are indulging in sweet treats.
and a punch in the belly
We are engaging in playful physical activities.
how much can you throw over the walls?
We are competing in games with each other.
and see how his face glows
We are witnessing the joy on someone's face.
it's a bike! what a surprise.
Someone has received a bicycle as a gift.
it's a big bike. what a big surprise.
The bicycle someone received is of a significant size.
it's a red bike. what a red surprise.
The bicycle someone received is a bright shade of red.
oh, what a surprise.
The gift someone received was unexpected.
but the best thing there
The most enjoyable and memorable thing at the party.
was the wonderful dog chair
A chair shaped like a dog that was admired by everyone.
that could count right up to ten
The chair had the ability to count up to ten.
it went woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.
The chair had a sound effect of barking like a dog when counting.
and it's another happy day
It is yet another joyful occasion.
he was born eleven years ago
Someone is celebrating their eleventh birthday.
and this year it's long trousers
The person has grown enough to wear long pants.
and a very smart tie.
The person is dressing up smartly for their birthday.
just think in five years he'll be shaving.
The person will be reaching another milestone in five years.
it's an ninja sword. what a surprise!
Someone has received a traditional Japanese sword as a gift.
it's a samurai sword. what a metal surprise.
The sword is a type used by ancient Japanese warriors and is thus surprising and exciting.
he'll remember this day for the rest of his life.
This day will be a lasting, cherished memory for the person.
is that sensuous dog chair
Yet again, the delightful dog chair is the highlight of the party.
the immaculate dog chair
The chair shaped like a dog is in pristine condition and highly admired.
that could count right up to eleven
This time, the chair has an ability to count up to eleven.
but the rampaging dog chair
The chair has become personified and is now characterized as a wild, uncontrollable beast.
it could count right up to eleven.
The chair is able to count even higher than before, increasing its impressiveness.
and it went round and round the house.
The chair was taken on a wild, chaotic ride around the house.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL JOHN HARVEY, NICHOLAS EDWARD CAVE, ROWLAND STUART HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-wx3zk5vn2w
Happy
happy birthday in a hot bath
To those nice
nice nights.
I remember always
always I got such a fright.
If they were me, if they were me and I was you, i was you
If they were me and I was you
Would you have liked a present too.
Happy birthday
happy birthday -
Happy birthday
happy birthday -
Happy
happy birthday in a hot bath
To those nice
nice nights.
I remember always
always I got such a fright.
If they were me, if they were me and I was you, i was you
If they were me and I was you
Would you have liked a present too.
Happy birthday
happy birthday -
Happy birthday
happy birthday -
@constantinchatzopoulos
Happy Birthday
The Birthday Party
it's a very happy day
we are at lots of fun fun fun
and it's ice-cream and jelly
and a punch in the belly
how much can you throw over the walls?
and see how his face glows
it's a bike! what a surprise.
it's a big bike. what a big surprise.
it's a red bike. what a red surprise.
oh, what a surprise.
but the best thing there
but the best thing there
was the wonderful dog chair
was the beautiful dog chair
that could count right up to ten
it could count right up to ten
it went woof, woof, woof, woof, woof,
woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.
and it's another happy day
he was born eleven years ago
and this year it's long trousers
and a very smart tie.
just think in five years he'll be shaving.
and see how his face glows
it's an ninja sword. what a surprise!
it's a samurai sword. what a metal surprise.
he'll remember this day for the rest of his life.
but the best thing there
but the best thing there
is that sensuous dog chair
the immaculate dog chair
that could count right up to eleven
it could count right up to eleven
it went woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof,
woof, woof, woof.
but the best thing there
but the best thing there
was my darling the dog chair
but the rampaging dog chair
that could count right up to eleven
it could count right up to eleven.
and it went round and round the house.
@tjburroughs
Oh I love this song! Wish I could find a live version. What I wouldn't give to see a young Nick Cave barking...
@Lilnbitchy
Hubba hubba!
@zoboomafoo8700
Awoooooooga!
@mynameislogan9917
Hummmina hummmina!
@ted-hitchcock
Queensland uni. '82? It was quite a sight.
@jameswinters952
So underrated. This is one of my favorite songs for life!
@moistwaffles22
You can tell just by the sound that these guys like to have fun.
@terrypussypower
Rowland S is just fucking awesome on this tune. The best band ever to come out of Australia.
@SuperDudu72
Not quite but one of them for sure.
@andygarcia709
Vittoria what would be your faves out of Australia?