The band's biggest hit, "Slight Return", was released in 1996. They have achieved thirteen Top 40 singles and three Top 10 albums in the UK charts.
The Bluetones' commercial success waned after the fall of the Britpop movement, yet they have continued to tour and release new records and are therefore often labelled as "Britpop survivors".
The band's latest album A New Athens was released on 31 May 2010.
After Hours
Bluetones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the morning?
I've been drinking since we clocked out
And now it's four a.m.
But they're such a generous couple
Alfredo and Pauline
When they offer a late night session,
You don't want to offend.
The shutters come down
And that's what they're for
We don't want to invite in the law
It's not often the case that we're forced
To sacrifice the jukebox.
But the plug always has to be pulled
On the quiz machine
So you imbibe all you can
Cause you're partaking in something forbidden
And time after time you'll wake up
Face down in the latrine.
We speak in hushed tones
And dim down the lights
We're staying after hours tonight
Where am I now?
Where am I now?
Where am I now?
I don't remember a thing,
I don't remember, remember a thing
Lord only knows what kind of poison I'm drinking
I can't read the label
So I'll just dance off my cares like Fred Astaire
Up here on the table
The shutters come down
And that's what they're for
We don't want to invite in the law
We speak in hushed tones
And dim down the lights
We're staying after hours tonight!!
The lyrics to The Bluetones' song "After Hours" tell the story of someone who has been out drinking with colleagues or friends and is now struggling to make it to work in the morning. The song explores the idea of being tempted to stay out longer even though you know you should go home. The opening verse sets the scene of someone who has been drinking since they clocked out and now it's 4 a.m. The person is faced with the choice of either going home or staying out later for a late night session with their generous colleagues, Alfredo and Pauline.
The second verse of the song details how the group starts to shut down the bar, dim the lights, and speak in hushed tones so as not to attract the attention of the law. They are partaking in something forbidden, sacrificing the jukebox and plugging off the quiz machine. Nevertheless, they keep on drinking even though they know they have to face the consequences of their actions soon. The chorus is catchy and emphasizes the group's intention to stay after hours, asking the listener where they might be now when it is over.
The song perfectly captures the feeling of being caught up in the moment and the temptation to stay out late even though you know you shouldn't. It's a fun, upbeat song that encourages you to dance and sing along even while being fully aware of the inevitable hangover that will come in the morning.
Line by Line Meaning
How in the world will I make it to work
In the morning?
The singer is worried about how they will get to work in the morning after drinking heavily all night.
I've been drinking since we clocked out
And now it's four a.m.
The singer has been drinking continuously since they finished work and it is now very early in the morning.
But they're such a generous couple
Alfredo and Pauline
When they offer a late night session,
You don't want to offend.
The couple who own the bar are kind to their customers by staying open for them, and the singer doesn't want to be rude by refusing to stay after hours.
The shutters come down
And that's what they're for
We don't want to invite in the law
The bar's shutters are closed to prevent the police from seeing that they are still open after hours.
It's not often the case that we're forced
To sacrifice the jukebox.
Usually the jukebox is not turned off at this time, but it has to be to keep the bar's presence a secret.
But the plug always has to be pulled
On the quiz machine
The quiz machine also has to be turned off so that the bar can remain open without being noticed.
So you imbibe all you can
Cause you're partaking in something forbidden
And time after time you'll wake up
Face down in the latrine.
The singer drinks as much as they can, knowing that they are doing something illegal, and they often end up feeling sick afterwards.
We speak in hushed tones
And dim down the lights
We're staying after hours tonight
The singer and the other bar patrons are trying to keep their presence there a secret by speaking quietly and turning down the lights.
Where am I now?
Where am I now?
Where am I now?
The singer is disoriented and unsure of their location.
I don't remember a thing,
I don't remember, remember a thing
The singer has no memory of what has happened to them during the night.
Lord only knows what kind of poison I'm drinking
I can't read the label
So I'll just dance off my cares like Fred Astaire
Up here on the table
The singer is not sure what they are drinking, and decides to ignore it and dance away their worries.
We speak in hushed tones
And dim down the lights
We're staying after hours tonight!!
The singer and the rest of the bar patrons are still there after hours, trying to keep quiet and hidden from the police.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONNY JORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ASH18YEARS
This song should be more recognized for it's brilliance
@melpoe724
a criminally underrate and played song + video. Oozes dance and tap and just that feel good factor
@canhetv
Edgar Wright is always a masterclass of sweet camera work and great directing. Not to mention his famous editing skills. That's a man I wish I could talk with.
@Neilsmu
Love this …. Clear the table… I’m up and strutting 🕺🏻😄
@prestonddrr5999
What a absolute classic
@pauljohnson4053
All done in one complete flawless take. Incredible! A brilliant video for one of my all time favourite tunes.
@robertfrost8264
My buddy and I were in visiting Glasgow and London when we competed in the Irish Dancing World's as teenagers. This video must've been number 1 on whatever music channel we had to find on every hotel room tv because we couldn't wait for it to come on.
That was half my life ago. We still bring it up if we cross paths or catch up online.
@michae13james10
Love this unique song.
I remember the the moment I heard this spring of 2002
I sat there thinking wow what did I just listen to? Went out and bought the single and the b-side ‘sail on sailor’ the beach boys song was that extra special gift on the cd.
@tredlow
Only after the second viewing that I realize that almost the whole video is done in one shot. I keep forgetting how awesome Edgar Wright is.
@kjellolofsson6766
Belting track and great video.
Great Buggsy Malone tribute.