They played soulful, funky pop jazz and were initially signed to Phonogram Records' Mercury imprint. The first came to notice of the UK music and style press when they hooked up with photographer Andy Warhol for the video of the 1986 single Misfit. This featured the band in New York and at one point featured Ben Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot dancing down a side street whilst Andy Warhol referenced Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" by dropping pieces of white card in time to the music (an efect that would also be copied by INXS in the Mediate of 1988).
Their debut album Keep Your Distance entered the British charts at number one in May 1987, and stayed in the Top Ten for 13 weeks, however the release of that album's "Free" lost some of the momentum by limping to only Number 56 in the UK charts.
The bands second album Getahead was lead by an upbeat funky track called "Name and Number". Even though this record only reached Number 14 in 1989, the "Hey How You Doin'" refrain would find itself in the Top Ten two years later as part of the De La Soul song "Ring Ring Ring (Hey Hey Hey)".
After the lack-leisure performance of Getahead and second single First Place, Curiosity (as they were now billed) found themselves dropped from Mercury Records. However three years after the release of that single they returned to the UK Top Ten as a three piece on RCA Records, with a cover of Johnny Bristol's Hang on in There Baby. However the band's follow ups (covers of I Need Your Lovin' and Gimme the Sunshine) flopped in the UK, which resulted in the album Back to Front only being released in Japan and selected overseas markets.
In the 2000s the band reformed for an appearance on a National Lottery midweek show on BBC 1 and since then Ben Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot has toured under the name Curiosity Killed the Cat on a number of 1980s revival packages.
Since Curiosity disbanded, Ben has, by request, continued to perform both live and in the studio and has recently teamed up with dance supremos "Element" (AKA Bimbo Jones) who have already produced remixes for the likes of Deep Dish, Usher and The Bodyrockers. They are also the co production duo responsible for "Meck's" "Thunder In My Heart Again".
Band members
Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot (vocals; * 19 May 1965)
Julian Brookhouse (guitar; * 15 May 1963)
Nick Thorp (bass; * 25 October 1964)
Miguel Drummond (drums; * 27 January 1964)
Misfit
Curiosity Killed the Cat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're not to blame 'cause you're not the same
Get on the case crazy sheep, you are the odd one out
Crazy sheep let them know what you're all about
Misfit freak that's on the street
Well, I can see the sorrow in your eyes
How high can you go?
There'll be a bind for every kind, you'll see
Sensitive child your threat is so mild, it worries me
Build yourself some protection to avoid the injection
Then you can be happy
Crazy sheep you are the odd on out
Crazy sheep let them know what you're all about
Misfit freak that's on the street
Now I can see the sorrow in your eyes
Set your mode to emotion, your secret potion
Designed to satisfy your soul
And underneath your broken dreams
You need to satisfy your soul
Misfit freak that's on the street
Now I can see the sorrow in your eyes
Too fat, too thin, you lose or you win
This may come as some surprise
Too tall, too short, too loose or too taut
There'll be a bind for every kind
Misfit freak that's on the street
Now I can see the sorrow in your eyes
Too fat, too thin, you lose or you win
You've got to satisfy your soul
And underneath your broken dreams
You need to satisfy your soul
The song Misfit by Curiosity Killed the Cat is a ballad that speaks to anyone who has ever been made to feel like an outsider. The first stanza begins by addressing a sensitive child who is constantly running wild in a confined space. The child is not to blame, as they are not like the others. The song then turns to address the “crazy sheep” who is the odd one out, labeled as a misfit freak on the street. The lyrics imply that despite being labeled a misfit, the crazy sheep should celebrate their uniqueness and let people know what they are all about.
In the second stanza, the song advises the sensitive child to build some protection to avoid the injection that can come from others because of their differences. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing that no matter what your differences are, there will always be a bind for every kind. The last stanza encourages the misfit freak to set their mode to emotion and to design a secret potion that will satisfy their soul. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus and a reminder to the listener that in order to satisfy their broken dreams, they need to satisfy their soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Sensitive child keep running wild in a confined space
You are a sensitive child who is in a small and restrictive environment, and you are trying to find some freedom.
You're not to blame 'cause you're not the same
You are different, but it's not your fault that you stand out.
Get on the case crazy sheep, you are the odd one out
Embrace your individuality and show the world your unique qualities.
Crazy sheep let them know what you're all about
Be proud of being different and let others know about your unique qualities.
Misfit freak that's on the street
You are a misfit on the streets, standing out from the crowd.
Well, I can see the sorrow in your eyes
I can see that you feel down and sad.
How long? how low?
How long will you be feeling this way? How low will you go?
How high can you go?
What is the limit of your potential?
There'll be a bind for every kind, you'll see
Everyone faces difficulties and restrictions in life.
Sensitive child your threat is so mild, it worries me
Your gentle and sensitive nature inspires concern in me.
Build yourself some protection to avoid the injection
Create a defense mechanism to shield yourself from hurtful comments.
Then you can be happy
You can find happiness by protecting yourself.
Set your mode to emotion, your secret potion
Find a way to express yourself emotionally, and make it your secret cure-all.
Designed to satisfy your soul
Your emotional outlet should be fulfilling and satisfying.
And underneath your broken dreams
You have been hurt and disappointed in the past.
You need to satisfy your soul
You must find a way to nourish your soul and live happily.
Too fat, too thin, you lose or you win
Society has imposed standards of appearance that can make you feel like you can only fail or succeed.
This may come as some surprise
It may be unexpected to hear this message.
Too tall, too short, too loose or too taut
There are many reasons why people might feel they don't fit in.
Misfit freak that's on the street
You are an outsider who stands out from the rest.
Now I can see the sorrow in your eyes
I can see that you feel down and sad.
You've got to satisfy your soul
You must focus on finding happiness and contentment from within.
And underneath your broken dreams
You must face your past failures and disappointments to move forward.
You need to satisfy your soul
You must find ways to fulfill and nourish your soul to live happily.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BEN VOLPELIERE-PIERROT, JULIAN GODFREY BROOKHOUSE, MIGUEL DRUMMOND, NICHOLAS BERNARD THORP, TOBY ANDERSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben V-Pierrot
on Who Are You
Bravo BigMan! V.Good rendition...... Believe me or not - People think Mr J POC was recruited for assistance; though the truth is he totally COPIED the CKtC drummers pattern AND being friends with our producer (Nathan East.) decided to Rhythm Section 'guest'....... Bless the bones of the legend XB