Their name comes from a term that refers to Indian immigrants that move to England, in that they often own street corner stores. Their music is a fusion of Indian music, British indie rock, and electronic dance.
In 1997, Cornershop shot into the UK charts with the song 'Brimful of Asha' reaching number 60! Things changed when DJ Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) remixed the track for re-release in 1998. The remix topped the chart, selling over 200,000 copies in 7 days! The track featured lyrics about Bollywood playback singer, Asha Bhosle.
Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III
Cornershop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The T-S-B Rock School
The overgrown super shit
The super models well they can't get enough of it
The overgrown super shit
Against the G-T-X
It is rugged G-T
Lessons learned from Rocky I to Rocky III
The A and R's are in it to the hips
The overgrown super shit
Who spent the Rock School
In the rock pool
Miami beach
Chicks with dicks
Who's testing
When it's Ed that's flexing
The overgrown super shit
Lessons learned from Rocky I to Rocky III
Sheepskin shoes tend to ruin industry
Lesson 2. Cop the groove
Lesson 3. is to ignore 4.
Round 5. going into 6.
7. we're cooking with Amitabh Bachan
8. it's a real heavy weight
9. we're rocking New York time
10.x10. It's like St.John said
The overgrown super shit
Message from the wreckage
It is soft rock shit
T-S-B Rock School
Overgrown super shit
The super models well they can't get enough of it
The overgrown super shit
The song Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III by Cornershop is known for its cryptic and enigmatic lyrics that are open to interpretation. The song seems to take a dig at the corporate music industry, particularly the tendency of record labels and A&R personnel to jump on trends and popular styles to make a quick buck. The "overgrown super shit" seems to refer to this phenomenon, where music that is overproduced, commercial, and lacking in substance is promoted and sold as the next big thing.
The lyrics mention the T-S-B Rock School, which could be a play on the popular British bank, TSB, or a nod to a real or fictional music school that churns out generic, conformist musicians. The line "Sheepskin shoes tend to ruin industry" is also open to interpretation but could refer to the idea that following the 'flock' or conforming to trends is detrimental to the music industry's creativity and growth.
The song's title references the popular Rocky movie franchise, and each lesson mentioned in the lyrics seems to be a tongue-in-cheek jab at the music industry's tendency to market and package artists as commodities. The lessons are cryptic and don't make much sense on their own, but they seem to satirize the music industry's superficiality and its propensity to commodify art.
Line by Line Meaning
Reporting damage it is soft rock shit
Denouncing the negative consequences of soft rock music.
The T-S-B Rock School
Referring to a specific music school where students may have learned soft rock music.
The overgrown super shit
Referring to the prevalence and dominance of soft rock music in the industry.
The super models well they can't get enough of it
Commenting on the mainstream appeal and commercial success of soft rock music.
Against the G-T-X
Comparing the soft rock genre to a more rugged or oppositional style of music.
It is rugged G-T
Further highlighting the contrast between soft rock and more gritty, authentic genres.
Lessons learned from Rocky I to Rocky III
Drawing inspiration and guidance from the Rocky movie franchise for navigating the music industry.
Lesson1
The first lesson learned from Rocky films (unspecified).
The A and R's are in it to the hips
Commenting on how labels prioritize profit and commercial success over artistic development and depth.
Who spent the Rock School
Questioning the value and legitimacy of certain music education institutions.
In the rock pool
Suggesting that soft rock musicians are stuck in a shallow, stagnant pool instead of exploring new sounds and ideas.
Miami beach
Referencing the superficial, glamorous lifestyle associated with soft rock music and its stars.
Chicks with dicks
Using crass language to further denounce the perceived artificiality and lack of authenticity in the soft rock genre.
Who's testing
Asking who is challenging the status quo and pushing for more artistic integrity and experimentation in the industry.
When it's Ed that's flexing
Highlighting the rare instances of genuine creativity and innovation in the industry, often led by independent artists.
Sheepskin shoes tend to ruin industry
Suggesting that conforming to established norms and trends can stifle innovation and progress, and lead to a stagnant industry.
Lesson 2. Cop the groove
The second lesson learned, which may be to emulate the rhythm and vibe of successful, innovative music.
Lesson 3. is to ignore 4.
The third lesson learned advises to ignore certain aspects of the industry that may not align with one's artistic vision or values.
Round 5. going into 6.
Metaphorically comparing the music industry to a boxing match, with each round representing a period of time or challenges to overcome.
7. we're cooking with Amitabh Bachan
An obscure reference to Indian film actor Amitabh Bachan, perhaps meaning that the artist is entering a more global or diverse phase of their career.
8. it's a real heavy weight
The challenges and pressures of the industry are reminiscent of a heavyweight boxing match.
9. we're rocking New York time
Potentially indicating success in the artist's career, performing in one of the most prestigious music scenes in the world (New York).
10.x10. It's like St.John said
A cryptic reference to an unknown figure (St.John) and his thoughts on the music industry, potentially meaning that the artist is aware of the industry's pitfalls and must navigate them to succeed.
Message from the wreckage
Potentially suggesting that the soft rock genre has caused damage to the music industry and needs to be salvaged or recovered from.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TJINDER SINGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aditya Shukla
Reporting damage it is soft rock shit
The T-S-B Rock School
The overgrown super shit
The super models well they can't get enough of it
The overgrown super shit
Against the G-T-X
It is rugged G-T
Lessons learned from Rocky I to Rocky III
Lesson1
The A and R's are in it to the hips
The overgrown super shit
Who spent the Rock School
In the rock pool
Miami beach
Chicks with dicks
Who's testing
When it's Ed that's flexing
The overgrown super shit
Lessons learned from Rocky I to Rocky III
Sheepskin shoes tend to ruin industry
Lesson 2. Cop the groove
Lesson 3. is to ignore 4.
Round 5. going into 6.
7. we're cooking with Amitabh Bachan
8. it's a real heavy weight
9. we're rocking New York time
10.x10. It's like St.John said
The overgrown super shit
Message from the wreckage
It is soft rock shit
T-S-B Rock School
Overgrown super shit
The super models well they can't get enough of it
The overgrown super shit
Bartholomäus
2:14 did they make a musical joke in the end of that part?
(Lyrics to that)
"Lessons learned from Rocky I to Rocky III
Sheepskin shoes tend to run the industry
Lesson 2. Cop the groove
Lesson 3 is to ignore 4.
*Round 5 going into 6*"
Band starts next part
You know what I mean? :D
JohnGullBoogie
Truly one of the most underrated bands of all time.
Cornershop
Thanks, we put all we could into the Handcream For A Generation album, and are very happy that people are slowly turning to it. Then, again the Judy Sucks A Lemon For Breakfast album is my personal favourite now. Now - In The Days Of Ford Cortina - The curry coloured ones could impress at a party, but due to their colourant, warped easily at manufacturing stage and rendered themselves more like chappattis. Best regards, Tjinder
Peter Gerstenzang
Cornershop Tjinder. Is there new music on the horizon? Love ya. PG
maestro h
Tjinder, you nailed it. Who Fingered is another straight up rock-er in the same vein. But who is the band in this video??
Davide Telesca
I love this Song , this Is a masterpiece ☺️
Christopher McBride
I heard this song in secondary school and loved it. When I started on my student radio station this was one of the first songs I played. However, it wasn't until the song was halfway through that I realised that I'd been mishearing the lyrics all that time, and the repeated lyric was not, in fact, "the overgrown super ship". Words were had that day.
Jonathan Hart
This is still my favourite Cornershop song, it has everything , riff, vibes and feels.
Jeremy Hobbs
Classic....this song will remain a fave till I die....along with "good to be on the road back home" thank you cornershop.
Deep House Groover
I come back to this little beauty at least once a week. Amazing vid, brilliant song. Thank you for making my life happy.
rakehellrow
2,000 hits for this vid?? That's a shame.. a masterpiece of the music video. GREAT STUFF!