Said production was based on a previous U.K. miners' strike. "Only You", their debut single, was the British Christmas number one in 1983, spending a total of five weeks at the top, and it also did well around Europe. Ironically enough, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, fighting an acrimonious political battle with unions at the time, said that the single was one of her favorite songs. A second single, a cover of the soul classic "When You're Young and in Love" by Van McCoy, reached number seven, but their third, a cover of the Eurythmics' track "Who's That Girl?", barely charted at all.
Joining Hibbard in the Flying Pickets were Rick Lloyd, Gareth Williams, David Brett, Ken Gregson, and Red Stripe (real name David Gittins). They were internationally renowned for their appearances: Hibbard's huge sideburns, Stripes thick eyeliner, and four others showing off flamboyant suits and large hats. A group like the Pickets were very lucky to get into the charts at all, let alone a Christmas number one and a pleasing number seven afterwards.
Hibbard and Gittins tried desperately to stay in the music business, and they formed their own act called 'Brian and Stripe'. Unfortunately, their first and only single failed, and they returned to their separate acting careers. Other group members drifted into various careers.
Since the original Flying Pickets split, a new team of five ambitious men have tried to follow in the original's footsteps. Yet they have had no chart success. Still, they've toured around Europe in lots of small venues all year round, trying to at least touch the giddy heights of their predecessors.
Disco Down
Flying Pickets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're as high as heels on the Palais stairs
Going out tonight, dressed to kill
And making like we've got money
And hoping not to pay the bill
(Bill better boogie before the bill comes)
Well you can disco down almost any night
(Take it easy) and it cuts you like a knife
You can disco down until the cows come home
But the louder the sound the
More you feel alone
(Wide boys running gypsy free
(we're just) living
Out a lifetime or a fantasy)
Well we're easy prey for the bouncer boys
All our sweet sweet nothings got
Lost in the noise
We've got a date, a date to make
A working day to forget
Another drink and just a one more cigarette
(Gimme)
That's the funny one and don't forget me
Well you can disco down almost any night
But it's a hard life
(Take it easy) and it cuts you like a knife
You can disco down until the cows come home
But the louder the sound (dada dadada da)
The more you feel alone
Takes time just a checking out the scene
Nothing like your Bogart in
Some glossy magazine ships in the night on a
Little cruise around the floor
Is this what it's all about
There must be more
Well the bass drum's heavy
And the brass goes root toot toot
Everybody's cool about the pool they shoot
We're all night roses, so forlorn
Everybody's ripped with their pass outs torn
We were chasing the land light
In our real life dreams
We make do with a mirror ball
And the same old scenes
But it was good, yes it was good
We even thought it could last
And if you can do it, really do it
You gotta do it, do it now and do it fast
Well you can disco down almost any night
But it's a hard life
(Take it easy) and it cuts you like a knife
You can disco down until the cows come home
But the louder the sound
The more you feel alone
The lyrics of Flying Pickets' song "Disco Down" describe the experience of going out for a night of dancing and partying, specifically in the disco scene. The opening lines suggest that the group is dressed to impress, wearing sharp suits and high heels, trying to give off the appearance of wealth and status. However, there's also an underlying concern about the cost of the night out, hoping to avoid the bill. The mention of "Bill better boogie before the bill comes" emphasizes the desire to enjoy the night without worrying about the financial consequences.
The chorus highlights the contrast between the excitement of disco dancing and the feelings of loneliness and isolation that can accompany it. It recognizes that one can dance and enjoy the music all night long, but as the volume increases, the feeling of being alone intensifies. This could reflect a sense of superficiality and disconnection within the disco scene, where everyone is caught up in their own worlds and personal experiences.
The song also touches on the challenges faced in the disco scene, such as dealing with bouncers, struggling to be heard over the noise, forgetting the monotony of the working day, and seeking solace in alcohol and cigarettes. The lyrics paint a picture of a temporary escape from reality, where people are chasing fantasies and living out their dreams. There is a search for meaning beyond the surface-level pleasures of the disco, as expressed in the line "Is this what it's all about, there must be more."
Overall, "Disco Down" captures both the allure and the emptiness of the disco scene, highlighting the highs and lows and the temporary nature of the experience.
Line by Line Meaning
We're sharp as the suit's the zoot boys wear
We are fashionable and stylish, just like the suit worn by the zoot boys.
We're as high as heels on the Palais stairs
We are feeling excited and exhilarated, like someone wearing high heels on the stairs of the Palais.
Going out tonight, dressed to kill
We are going out tonight, wearing impressive outfits to make a strong impression.
And making like we've got money
We are pretending to be rich and have money.
And hoping not to pay the bill
We are hoping to avoid the responsibility of paying the bill.
(Bill better boogie before the bill comes)
(Someone named Bill better hurry up and leave before the bill arrives)
Well you can disco down almost any night
You can dance and have fun at the disco almost any night.
But it's a hard life
However, living this lifestyle can be challenging and difficult.
(Take it easy) and it cuts you like a knife
(Take it easy) and it emotionally hurts you deeply, like a sharp knife.
You can disco down until the cows come home
You can dance at the disco for a very long time.
But the louder the sound the
However, the louder the music gets,
More you feel alone
The more you start feeling isolated and lonely.
(Wide boys running gypsy free
(Rebellious individuals living a free-spirited, unconventional lifestyle)
(we're just) living
(We're just) trying to enjoy life
Out a lifetime or a fantasy)
Whether it's a real, fulfilling existence or a mere fantasy)
Well we're easy prey for the bouncer boys
We are easily targeted and taken advantage of by the bouncers at the disco.
All our sweet sweet nothings got
All our meaningless flattery and empty promises have
Lost in the noise
Disappeared and become insignificant amidst the loud music and chaos.
We've got a date, a date to make
We have a commitment, an appointment to keep
A working day to forget
A busy day of work that we want to escape and put behind us.
Another drink and just a one more cigarette
We seek solace in alcohol and nicotine, resorting to another drink and one more cigarette.
(Gimme)
(Give me)
That's the funny one and don't forget me
That's the amusing and entertaining person, and please remember me.
Takes time just a checking out the scene
It takes time to observe and assess the situation.
Nothing like your Bogart in
Not as glamorous or suave as Humphrey Bogart in
Some glossy magazine ships in the night on a
Unstable and fleeting relationships, passing like ships in the night, on a
Little cruise around the floor
Short-lived experience of dancing and moving around the dance floor.
Is this what it's all about
Is this the essence or purpose of life?
There must be more
Surely there exists something beyond this.
Well the bass drum's heavy
The bass drum's beat is strong and powerful.
And the brass goes root toot toot
The brass instruments play a lively and catchy tune.
Everybody's cool about the pool they shoot
Everyone acts nonchalant and unaffected about the competition they face.
We're all night roses, so forlorn
We are like roses that bloom and fade during the night, feeling lonely and melancholy.
Everybody's ripped with their pass outs torn
Everyone is intoxicated, with their passes or tickets ripped and torn.
We were chasing the land light
We were pursuing the glamorous and extravagant lifestyle.
In our real life dreams
In our dreams of a perfect and ideal life.
We make do with a mirror ball
We settle with a disco ball that reflects light.
And the same old scenes
And the repetition of familiar and monotonous experiences.
But it was good, yes it was good
But it was enjoyable, yes it was enjoyable
We even thought it could last
We had a belief that it could endure for a longer period.
And if you can do it, really do it
And if you have the capability, truly commit to it
You gotta do it, do it now and do it fast
You must take action immediately and swiftly.
(dada dadada da)
(Music interlude)
The more you feel alone
The stronger the feeling of loneliness becomes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Rick Lloyd
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind