They recruited rapper Kermit and drummer Ged Lynch of the Manchester-based group The Ruthless Rap Assassins, plus guitarist Wags from The Paris Angels. Recording of new material started that year, although the group were not under contract. The key addition to the band was bassist and guitarist Danny Saber, who became Ryder's key musical foil.
In 1995 they signed to Radioactive Records (an imprint of major label BMG) and released their debut album, produced by Saber and Stephen Lironi. It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah immediately charted at number 1 in the UK, and spawned three Top 20 singles. According to Songfacts, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich listed it as his favorite CD of 1996.
Black Grape's music was funky and eclectic, using varied instrumentation and samples. Ryder's lyrics seem to derive mainly from nonsense rhymes and humorous catch-phrases. The debut album received critical acclaim in Britain, riding high during the then fashionable Britpop wave but the group made little impact in the U.S..
The subsequent album, 1997's Stupid Stupid Stupid was less favoured and charted at number 11 in the UK. The group split in 1998 after Ryder fired the rest of band while touring.
The band reformed for a one-off live show, their first in over 10 years, for Get Loaded in the Dark at the Coronet, London, on April 1, 2010. Five years later, the band announced plans for a tour to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their debut album. A reunion album, Pop Voodoo, was released in August 2017, although only Ryder and Kermit remained from the original lineup, with Youth handling bass, songwriting, and production duties.
Little Bob
Black Grape Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bang!
Boom!
Bang!
What's that on the pavement in front of me?
I don't remember letting someone in for tea
Muscles to muscular!
The great smell of Brut
Coming on after you!
Boom!
It gets louder and louder and...
Bang!
It gets right out of order and...
Boom!
It gets louder and louder and...
Bang!
It gets right out of order and...
We!
Removes stains without powder
Free!
It just zooms all around you
Cardiovascular
Born in a power cut
Freedom in a bed
Three in a supersud!
Boom!
It gets louder and louder and...
Bang!
It gets right out of order and...
Boom!
It gets louder and louder and...
Bang!
It gets right out of order and...
[ Kermit raps ]
Boom!
It gets louder and louder and...
Bang!
It gets right out of order and...
Boom!
It gets louder and louder and...
Bang!
It gets right out of order and...
Boom!
It gets louder and louder and...
Bang!
It gets right out of order and...
Boom!
It gets louder and louder and...
Bang!
It gets right out of order and...
Boom!
Bang!
Boom!
Bang!
Boom!
Bang!
Boom!
Bang!
Boom!
Bang!
It doesn't happen like that
It doesn't happen like that
It doesn't happen like that
It doesn't happen like that
Speaking words of wisdom
It doesn't happen like that
Splash splash splash
Closer
Speak up
Speak up
Speak up
Speak up
I believe everything I read...
The lyrics to Black Grape's song Little Bob are chaotic and almost nonsensical, but they also carry a certain energy and rhythm that make them fun to listen to. The opening stanzas describe a loud, tumultuous sound - "Boom! Bang!" - that catches the singer's attention. They then notice something unusual on the pavement and remark that they don't remember inviting anyone over for tea, indicating a sense of bewilderment or surrealism.
The next lines introduce a series of seemingly unrelated phrases: "Cardiovascular! Muscles too muscular! The great smell of Brut / Coming on after you!" These can be interpreted as a commentary on masculinity, with the singer noting traits that are often associated with traditional ideas of manliness. The repetition of "boom" and "bang" throughout the song, combined with the sporadic references to cleaning products and other odd phrases, creates a sense of chaos and almost absurdity.
The song also features a brief rap interlude by Kermit (a member of British band The Ruthless Rap Assassins), which adds another layer of energy and variety. Ultimately, the repeated assertion that "it doesn't happen like that" suggests a frustration or disillusionment with some aspect of the world or society.
Line by Line Meaning
What's that on the pavement in front of me?
The singer sees something odd on the ground and is confused as to what it is.
I don't remember letting someone in for tea
The singer is suggesting that if someone had come over, they would have remembered.
Cardiovascular!
The focus turns briefly to a term related to the heart and blood vessels.
Muscles too muscular!
The artist notices someone with muscles that are too big, suggesting they may be taking steroids or other supplements.
The great smell of Brut
The artist smells a familiar scent, perhaps that of a popular men's cologne.
Coming on after you!
The scent is coming from someone that the singer had recently crossed paths with.
We!
A reference to a specific product or company that can remove stains without using powder cleaning agents.
Removes stains without powder
Reiterating the product claims of the previous line.
Free!
The product is also free of charge.
It just zooms all around you
Suggesting that the product is effective and can be used anywhere.
Cardiovascular
Another odd reference to heart health and blood flow.
Born in a power cut
A nonsensical statement that may be a reference to the company's origins or origins of the product.
Freedom in a bed
Another odd line that may reference the product or company, possibly a bed cleaner or bed-related product.
Three in a supersud!
The product can create a soapy, sudsy solution effective for cleaning.
[ Kermit raps ]
A reference to a famous Muppet character and a changeup in the style of the song.
Speaking words of wisdom
A reference to a famous Beatles lyric.
Splash splash splash
Presumably referencing the sound of water or cleaning being done.
Closer
Not clear what this is referring to, possibly a reference to a change in location or style.
Speak up
The singer asks someone to speak louder or more clearly.
I believe everything I read...
The artist references a common phrase to suggest they may be gullible or too trusting.
It doesn't happen like that
The artist disputes some sort of previous claim or statement.
Contributed by Jack P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@betablue5079
I love the chaos of the outro on this. Brilliant track to end a brilliant album
@maineroad7429
After all these years itβs still an absolute stomper. .
@jamespredmore8561
Had this CD in my collection 96 iish era was played often a gem is this piece
@underpantswedgy
Still got the CD from way back in 1995....never get sick of playing it ....
@somborcalling
Which HiFi equipment play you at?
@Dalp1974
Haha!Ryder is a lifestyle!LOVE IT!
@paulchappell5754
End credits tune to the 90s. Nuff said !
@damonfenix
Β‘Ese saxo! Discazo.
@adski71
killer sax !!
@parketlaminat6017
2016 still very good dynamic music