Initially based in Canvey Island, Essex, on the Thames estuary, Dr. Feelgood broke into the London circuit in 1974. Brilleaux's menacing personality complemented Johnson's propulsive, jerky stage manner, while the guitarist's staccato style dominated the group's idiosyncratic brand of angular rhythm and blues.
Their debut album, Down By The Jetty, was released in 1974, but despite critical approbation, it was not until the following year that the quartet secured due commercial success with Stupidity. Recorded live in concert, this raw, compulsive set topped the UK charts and the group's status seemed assured. However, internal friction led to Johnson's departure during sessions for a projected fourth album and although his replacement, John 'Gypie' Mayo, was an accomplished guitarist, he lacked the striking visual image of his predecessor. Dr. Feelgood then embarked on a more mainstream direction which was only intermittently successful. 'Milk And Alcohol' (1978) gave them their sole UK Top 10 hit. After the punk explosion their raw, jerky sound and clean-cut image provided inspiration to the post-punk generation (John Lydon being a big fan).
Mayo left the band in 1981. Despite this, and various subsequent line-up changes, Dr. Feelgood continued touring and recording, although the band then suffered an almost career-finishing blow, when their frontman, Brilleaux, died of cancer on 7 April 1994. But, as Brilleaux had insisted prior to his demise, Dr. Feelgood reunited, initially with vocalist Pete Gage, and recommenced touring in 1996. Gage was replaced by Robert Kane who, celebrated his 1000th gig as the frontman of Dr. Feelgood in April 2007.
Following Brilleaux's death in 1994, a special concert known as the Lee Brilleaux Birthday Memorial was held on Canvey Island, where former and current Feelgoods celebrated the music of Dr. Feelgood, and raised money for The Fair Havens Hospice in Westcliff-on-Sea. Fans attended from all over the globe, and the 20th and final event was held on 9 May 2014.
Back In The Night
Dr. Feelgood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
KEY: Emaj
Back in the night I lay down by your fireside
Back in the night you shook me like a landslide
I nearly missed the early shift
Dreamin´ in the morning ´bout the things we did
Back in the night
Back in the night
Back in the night
Back in the night
Beneath your love light
I woke up on the floor, I asked you for some breakfast
You shoved me out the door, I jumped on to the late bus
I got to smile, I like your style
You put me out this morning but you know that I´ll be
Back in the night
Back in the night
Back in the night
Back in the night
Beneath your love light
The days go by so slow, I feel just like I´m dying
Stop work whistle blow and then I start reviving
Across your yard, beneath the stars
I made it thru another day and here we are
Back in the night
Back in the night
Back in the night
Back in the night
Beneath your love light
Dr. Feelgood's "Back In The Night" is a blues-rock ballad that narrates the story of a working-class man who has an affair with a woman. They enjoy their time together "Back in the night," but the reality of his life always creeps back in. The singer has to leave her in the morning to go to work, and while he feels like he's dying throughout the day, he still manages to make it through and return to her in the night. The chorus of the song, "Back in the night, beneath your love light," encapsulates his desire to be with her and escape the mundanity of his life.
The lyrics evoke a sense of raw yearning and desperation, and Wilko Johnson's gravelly voice and the driving rhythm of the drums and guitar contribute to the song's intensity. The use of the past tense in the first verse, "Back in the night I lay down by your fireside," gives the impression that the affair is over or that it happened a long time ago. The song, however, is also infused with a sense of hope, as the singer is willing to endure the drudgery of his day-to-day life to be with her again.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in the night I lay down by your fireside
I remember when we spent time together by the fire
Back in the night you shook me like a landslide
You had a great impact on me, and I loved it
I nearly missed the early shift
I was so tired from thinking about you all night that I almost missed work
Dreamin' in the morning 'bout the things we did
I couldn't stop thinking about the fun we had together
Back in the night
I can't stop reminiscing about our time together
Beneath your love light
Your love brings light to my life, even in the darkest of times
I woke up on the floor, I asked you for some breakfast
I woke up disoriented and hungry, and asked for help
You shoved me out the door, I jumped on to the late bus
You were annoyed with me and kicked me out, so I had to rush to get to work
I got to smile, I like your style
Even though you can be tough, I still find you attractive and intriguing
You put me out this morning but you know that I'll be
Even though you were upset with me earlier, you know I'll come back to you
The days go by so slow, I feel just like I'm dying
Without you, time seems to drag on and I feel so empty
Stop work whistle blow and then I start reviving
When work finally ends, I can come alive and focus on us
Across your yard, beneath the stars
I journey to be with you and cherish our time together, even outdoors on a starry night
I made it thru another day and here we are
Despite the challenges, I made it through the day and we get to spend more time together
Contributed by Alice Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheJavister
Una de las mejores bandas.
Y un gran video (back in the night 1975)
Un video clásico pero muy bueno ,un verdadero video de música sus interpretes ,sus instrumentos y nada mas.
Arte puro .One of the best bands.
And a great video (back in the night 1975)
A classic but very good video, a real music video of their performers, their instruments and nothing else.
Pure art.
Douglas Freeman
Wilko looking bloody cool, as usual. Sadly I have just heard of his death. Another legend of music gone, but what a legacy he has left us. Thanks, Wilko!
Kernoodles
Sat and watched the 2hr documentary on Sky Arts on Wednesday night without knowing of Wilko's death, did that hit me hard last night...my weird 6th sense again, I just happen to Google him and catch his obituary in the Guardian. I don't watch TV often, just happen to turn it on as the documentary was starting...greatest band never to make it! Lee and Wilko reunited!
DAVID SEDLICKAS
Modeled on the late Mick Green
Legend set a very high bench mark on music.
Gabi Matzeu
RIP Wilko you were truly AMAZING!
ColdWaterThrower
Let's hope we never completely lose the raw sound of creative people actually playing.
Agent smith
Impossible, you just might not see it in the charts as much but.. so what
Pete Gage
Absolutely brilliant, so tight, so together. No over-playing gimmicky stuff. Just pure class, all four of them playing as one.
Craig Webster
You don't actually believe that this was a live performance, surely?
Slide guitar playing was very bad miming.
Prime UK Band
@Craig Webster in fairness it wouldve been recorded , probably completely live , before the show. Many UK shows simply didnt have the technology for live performances in the 70s.
Eddie Ingalls
@Prime UK Band Was thinking that as it does sound live - they really were that good.