In 1990 the band won two Brit Awards: Best British Group, and Best British Album for "The Raw and the Cooked" which also reached number one in the US album charts. It was re-packed as a remix album ("The Raw & the Remix" and spawned six singles over three years; "She Drives Me Crazy","Good Thing", "Don't Look Back", "I'm Not the Man I Used to Be", "I'm Not Satisfied" and "It's O.K. (It's Alright)".
The trio split in 1992, though they recorded a new track in 1996 to promote their The Finest compilation. Gift soon reactivated the brand and toured in the 2000s as Roland Gift and the Fine Young Cannibals.
Fine Young Cannibals appeared as the house band in the 1987 film comedy Tin Men, peforming some of the songs that ended up on The Raw and the Cooked. Steele and Cox had previously recorded under the moniker Two Men A Drum Machine and a Trumpet.
Blue
Fine Young Cannibals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've had a bad day, yeah.
My hometown is falling down, I'm mad about that.
And people there don't seem to care, I'm mad about that.
[Chorus]
Good God, almighty
There's no denying life
Blue, it's a color so cruel
[Chorus]
Government has done me wrong, I'm mad about that.
And it makes me feel like I don't belong, I'm mad about that.
It's making life a misery, you wouldn't have taken the liberty
Government has done me wrong, I'm mad about that.
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
There you go telling lies, it's no surprise
I say a prayer, to make you care,
You wouldn't listen
It's been too long, it's time you're gone
Get away from here
I've had too much - but not enough
It's time you left
The lyrics to Fine Young Cannibals' "Blue" address feelings of frustration with personal and external problems. The singer is having a bad day and feels angry about their hometown falling apart, but more so about the lack of concern from the people there. The government has also wronged the singer, making them feel like they don't belong and causing misery. The chorus expresses a desire to escape from the negative experiences, as life would be better without them, particularly the color blue, which is described as cruel.
The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song with the singer feeling down about their day and the state of their hometown. The second verse focuses on the government's impact on the singer's life and the frustration they feel as a result. The bridge speaks to the singer's attempts to make their voice heard and to effect change, but it seems unlikely to happen. The final verse is a warning to someone who has been lying to the singer and doesn't care about their problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooooohaaaah.
Expressing frustration and discontent with the current situation.
I've had a bad day, yeah.
Feeling upset and unhappy about recent events.
My hometown is falling down, I'm mad about that.
Feeling angry about the state of one's hometown and the lack of concern from others.
And people there don't seem to care, I'm mad about that.
Feeling upset and frustrated about the lack of concern and compassion from the people in one's hometown.
[Chorus] Good God, almighty There's no denying life Would be better if I never ever had to live with you, Blue, it's a color so cruel
Expressing the belief that life would be better without a certain person (the color blue serves as a metaphor for this person), due to the difficulties and pain they cause.
Government has done me wrong, I'm mad about that.
Feeling upset and angry about the injustice and mistreatment one has received from the government.
And it makes me feel like I don't belong, I'm mad about that.
Feeling like an outsider due to the mistreatment and lack of support from the government.
It's making life a misery, you wouldn't have taken the liberty Government has done me wrong, I'm mad about that.
Feeling like one's life has been made miserable and unjust due to actions taken by the government.
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Repeating the chorus, emphasizing the desire to be free from the pain and difficulties caused by a certain person or situation.
There you go telling lies, it's no surprise
Feeling fed up with someone who has been dishonest and deceitful.
I say a prayer, to make you care, You wouldn't listen
Expressing the desire for someone to care about and understand one's feelings, despite feeling unheard and ignored.
It's been too long, it's time you're gone Get away from here I've had too much - but not enough It's time you left
Feeling like it's time for a change and for someone or something to leave in order to move forward and alleviate stress and frustration.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: DAVID STEELE, ROLAND LEE GIFT, ANDREW COX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ivorscrotumic3556
This song hasn't aged. It's as relevant today, as it was back then.
VOTE OUT THE TORIES...!!!
@user-qd3vh7lk6y
The 1992 Rio earth summit explains all to the , " Cannon Fodder " unfortunately that populates the earth.
@Tommytucamoto
FYC are so under rated I still listen to these to this day
@rocco123able
what a fantastic singer , all his songs are great , he had such a different way of performing songs , unbelievable range - a legend !
@basilfawlty8244
SO relevant, when it came out in the mid 1980's. Still relevant today, sadly.
@Tommytucamoto
Well underrated group and ahead of their time still listening to these today
@joannehowe7513
the full homey absolutely.
@tidmouthshed
Why the Cannibals were not a huge world wide success is something I will never understand. Totally unique. Brilliant.
@mickleeds9335
This should have been #1 on the charts..Worldwide..it's that good..
@petel2551
What a cracker this song was. Roland's unique voice and the Ska undertones. Loved it.