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.
Dust My Broom
Dr. Feelgood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gon' get up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
Girlfriend, the black man you been lovin', girlfriend, can't get my room
I'm gon' write a letter, telephone every town I know
I'm gon' write a letter, telephone every town I know
If I can't find her in West Helena, she must be in East Monroe I know
I don't want no woman, wants every downtown man she meet
She's a no good doney, they shouldn't 'low her on the street
I believe, I believe I'll go back home
I believe, I believe I'll go back home
You can mistreat me here, babe, but you can't when I go home
And I'm gettin' up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
I'm gettin' up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
Girlfriend, the black man you been lovin', girlfriend, can't get my room
I'm 'on' call up Chiney, see is my good gal over there
I'm 'on' call up Chiney, see is my good gal over there
If I can't find her on Philippine's Island, she must be in Ethiopia somewhere
In "Dust My Broom," the singer wakes up in the morning with the intention to leave a woman who has been unfaithful to him. He plans to "dust his broom," which is slang for leaving town. The lyrics make it clear that the woman he is leaving has been seeing other men around town, and he doesn't want to be associated with her anymore. In addition to leaving town, he plans to write letters and make phone calls to try to locate her if she ever tries to find him.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is not interested in being with a woman who is known to be promiscuous. He doesn't want a woman who wants every downtown man she meets. He feels that she is not loyal and is worthless. Although he is hurt, he plans to go back home where he won't be mistreated. The repetition of the line "I believe, I believe I'll go back home" shows his determination to leave and move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gon' get up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
I am going to wake up early in the morning and clean my house with a broom.
Girlfriend, the black man you been lovin', girlfriend, can't get my room
Your current partner, whom I presume to be African American, will not be able to have any influence over my living space.
I'm gon' write a letter, telephone every town I know
I will make an attempt to contact my partner by writing a letter and calling everyone I know in various locations.
If I can't find her in West Helena, she must be in East Monroe I know
If I am not able to locate her in one particular town, then she must be located in another specific town that I am aware of.
I don't want no woman, wants every downtown man she meet
I do not want a female partner who seeks out every man she meets in the downtown area.
She's a no good doney, they shouldn't 'low her on the street
She is considered to be a worthless person and should not be allowed to roam the streets.
I believe, I believe I'll go back home
I am inclined to return home to my place of origin.
You can mistreat me here, babe, but you can't when I go home
Although you may mistreat me while I am here with you, once I return to my home, you will not be able to do so.
And I'm gettin' up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
Once again, I am going to wake up in the morning and clean my house with a broom.
I'm 'on' call up Chiney, see is my good gal over there
I intend to call up Chiney and see if my potentially trustworthy female partner is located in that region.
If I can't find her on Philippine's Island, she must be in Ethiopia somewhere
If my search for my partner does not prove successful on the island of the Philippines, I believe she must be located somewhere in Ethiopia.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: IKE TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind