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.
Going Back Home
Dr. Feelgood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna live the way I like
Sleep all the morning
Goin' get my fun at night
Things ain't like that here
Workin' just to keep my payments clear
I bought a brand new motor
And I'm waitin' for a loan
So I can fill her up and start her
Then I'm going back home
I got a girl a man's best friend
I'd have her now if she'd just come back again
But she left me in the fog
Told me that I treat her like a dog
The last time that I saw her she was buryin' a bone
I'm tired of whistlin' for her
Then I'm going back home
Old Johnny Green he asked me in
We watched his TV and we drank a little gin
Then I float on down the street
Smilin' at the faces that I meet
That was back this morning
Now I'm dizzy sick and stoned
When the world stops turning
Then I'm going back home
In Dr. Feelgood's Going Back Home, the singer sings about his desire to live life on his own terms, free from the drudgery of work and the monotony of his current lifestyle. He longs for the freedom to sleep in every morning and enjoy himself at night, without the constant pressure of having to work to stay afloat. He has purchased a new car, but is waiting for a loan to fill it up and take it out for a spin. The car represents his freedom and the possibility of a future that he can control. The singer also talks about a girl who he loves deeply, but who has left him because he has mistreated her. He longs to be reunited with her and to regain her trust. He is tired of feeling lost without her and is frustrated by his inability to bring her back into his life.
The second verse of the song sees the singer hanging out with his friend John Green. They watch TV and drink some gin before the singer walks down the street, smiling at people he meets. This scene represents a brief moment of joy and connection in his otherwise bleak and lonely life. However, the song ends on a somber note, with the singer feeling sick and high, waiting for the world to stop turning so he can finally go back home.
Overall, Going Back Home is a powerful song that speaks to the human desire for freedom, love, and connection. Despite the singer's struggles and setbacks, the song ultimately ends on a note of hope, reminding listeners that no matter how lost we may feel, there is always a way to find our way back home.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna live the way I like
I want to live my life on my own terms
Sleep all the morning
I want to sleep in and start my day leisurely
Goin' get my fun at night
I want to enjoy myself and have fun in the evenings
Things ain't like that here
Things are not the way I want them in this place
Workin' just to keep my payments clear
I am working only to pay off my debts
I bought a brand new motor
I bought a new car
And I'm waitin' for a loan
I am waiting for a loan to fill up the gas tank of my new car
So I can fill her up and start her
So I can fill up the gas tank and start my car
Then I'm going back home
I am planning to go back to my hometown
I got a girl a man's best friend
I have a girlfriend who means a lot to me
I'd have her now if she'd just come back again
I wish my girlfriend would come back to me
But she left me in the fog
My girlfriend left me without giving a proper explanation
Told me that I treat her like a dog
She accused me of treating her badly
The last time that I saw her she was buryin' a bone
The last time I saw her, she was busy doing something else
I'm tired of whistlin' for her
I am tired of waiting for her
Then I'm going back home
I am planning to go back to my hometown
Old Johnny Green he asked me in
My friend Johnny Green invited me into his house
We watched his TV and we drank a little gin
We watched TV and had some drinks
Then I float on down the street
Later on, I walked down the street feeling carefree
Smilin' at the faces that I meet
I smiled at the people I passed by on the street
That was back this morning
All that happened this morning
Now I'm dizzy sick and stoned
Now I am feeling dizzy, sick, and high
When the world stops turning
Whenever I feel like everything has come to a stop
Then I'm going back home
I am planning to go back to my hometown
Contributed by Matthew W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
maxinepaul2
The harmonica playing by Lee is top notch.
Laurie Davies
damn right.
Carlos Nells
he also played some nice slide guitar.
Invasion Extraterrestre
I still listen my vinyls of these guys.. Great band, authentic, raw sound.. Old bands becomes every day greater
.. R.I.P Wilko
VyrissDev
And Leeđ˘
Rob Jones
Wilco isn't dead, he's just Going Back Home......
He was a class act who influenced generations of guitarists, that's the best tribute of all.
Colin Peck
Better than the Stones,
Status Quo, Dire Straights..
Underrated, great, honest musicians, will be playing them at my funeral..
matafuko
I saw Wilko on his farewell tour 10 years ago - then he had a miraculous recovery! What a dude. RIP
Marian Lenehan
Heâs ârecoveryâ was down to the fact that, at that time, he had a rare, neuroendocrine tumour (NET) that grows slowly and is not always malignant. Iâm so pleased that he had those extra years⌠what a talent đđśđ
Tony James
The last truly great, home-grown, hard rocking blues band. RIP