The original demo tapes for the group were recorded in North London at their management's building, the PARC tower. PARC were a leading management company, being the sole representatives of Terence Trent D'Arby, who at the time was a major act. The managers were both German: K.P. Schleinitz and Stefan "Luxi" Lux.
Originally, Ellis, Beggs & Howard (EBH) were made up of Simon Ellis (keyboards and programming), Nick Beggs (bass guitar and Chapman stick), and Austin Howard (vocals). They were augmented by Paul Harvey on guitar and Robbie France on drums. (Although Harvey played on the PARC tapes, France did not.) They experimented with several other guitarists, including Marty Williamson, Keith Airey and Sabu Bugaban.
EBH started in late 1987 by playing a few low-key gigs in London. They featured in the NME sponsored shows at The Greyhound in Fulham, and a performance at the nightclub, Heaven, and later in bigger arenas.
Initially, the press were sceptical about the merits of the band, simply because of Beggs' previous link with Kajagoogoo.[citation needed]. However EBH found success in Continental Europe. Their first single, "Big Bubbles, No Troubles" (produced by Ralph Ruppert and Lux), was a hit in 1988, receiving several awards in many countries, although it reached number 41 in the UK Singles Chart.[1]
After they appeared on the Night Network television programme, the press was inundated with critical mail, often accusing them of miming.[citation needed]
After the failure of their first album, Homelands, in the United Kingdom, and despite its success elsewhere in Europe, tensions in the band became overwhelming. Nevertheless, from 1989 they recorded the basic tracks of what was to have been their second album with the Fleetwood Mac Mobile, at the Eazee Hire rehearsal complex in London. The album was not released by a label at the time, although Beggs made it available several years later as a home-grown CD release entitled The Lost Years Vol. 1. The album is notable for contributions from Warren Cuccurullo and Robert Fripp.
Big Bubbles No Troubles
Ellis Beggs & Howard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now it′s been three months
She can't pay the rent no more
She goes to work early in the morning
The lift don't work
No, the lift don′t work no more
Life ain′t nothing but a bubble
I was my clothes in muddy waters
I lay myself on a plate to dry for you, baby
I feel the pain, the first incision
Baby, don′t you ask me why
Life ain't nothing but a bubble
Life ain′t nothing but trouble
Never mind if you suffer from a bleeding heart
Ain't nothing in the world gonna tear you apart (life)
I wrap my wings in cellophane afraid that I may fly away again
Big bubbles, no troubles
You can′t go walking in the park after dark
Afraid there'll be a man with a bite bigger than his bark (no, no)
I was my clothes in muddy waters
I lay myself on a plate to dry for you, baby
I feel the pain, the first incision
Baby, why do you ask me why?
Tell me now
Life ain't nothing but a bubble
Life ain′t nothing but a bubble
Eeh, eeh
Life ain′t nothing but a bubble
The song "Big Bubbles No Troubles" by ELLIS BEGGS & HOWARD is a commentary on the transience of life and the persistence of problems that people face throughout their lives. The lyrics describe a woman named Mary who is struggling to make ends meet and pay her rent, as well as the singer himself who is doing laundry in dirty water and feeling the pain of life's difficulties. The phrase "life ain't nothing but a bubble" is a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and how everything can burst or disappear at any moment.
The song's lyrics are meant to convey a sense of resilience in the face of adversity, with the chorus repeating the phrase "big bubbles, no troubles" as a way of saying that the singer will continue to persevere through difficult times. The use of vivid imagery such as muddy waters and incisions along with the haunting melody of the song creates a powerful emotional imagery for the listener, evoking feelings of struggle, courage and ultimately hope.
The overall meaning of the song can be interpreted in a variety of ways depending on the listener's own experiences and perspective. However, one thing that is clear is that the song encourages listeners to keep going regardless of the obstacles they face in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, Mary's been-a-livin' on the second floor
Mary has been living on the second floor of a building
Now it's been three months
It has been three months since Mary has been living on the second floor
She can't pay the rent no more
Mary is unable to pay the rent anymore
She goes to work early in the morning
Mary wakes up early in the morning to go to work
The lift don't work
The elevator is not working
No, the lift don't work no more
The elevator has stopped working permanently
Life ain't nothing but a bubble
Life is fleeting and temporary
I was my clothes in muddy waters
I wash my clothes in dirty water
I lay myself on a plate to dry for you, baby
I dry myself on a plate for you
I feel the pain, the first incision
I feel the pain of the first cut
Baby, don't you ask me why
Baby, please don't ask why
Never mind if you suffer from a bleeding heart
It doesn't matter if you have a broken heart
Ain't nothing in the world gonna tear you apart (life)
Nothing in the world will destroy you completely
I wrap my wings in cellophane afraid that I may fly away again
I protect myself from flying away again by wrapping my wings in cellophane
Big bubbles, no troubles
Everything is good and easy
You can't go walking in the park after dark
It's not safe to walk in the park at night
Afraid there'll be a man with a bite bigger than his bark (no, no)
Afraid of encountering someone dangerous in the park
Life ain't nothing but a bubble
Life is fleeting and temporary
Eeh, eeh
Sound effect
Writer(s): S. Ellis, N. Beggs, A. Howard
Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@losbreuos2523
Still wonderful
@marimicia7876
Beautiful song!!
Who's listening in 2022??
@stevesargent8731
me!🙂
@doctorwhizz9070
Saw them support The Adventures in 1988 at Town & Country Club….
@wim8210
Me also
@nickpatten5263
Definitely. A great track from a great album.
@ArnfinnRian
I am. Have to now, they pulled it off Spotify.
@suzannezoubeck5216
Thanks for posting! 35 years old and news to me. I'd buy this. ❤☮🌎
@sanderooij
Epic!
@darkspy666
A vastly underrated track!