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.
Wide Boy
Flying Pickets Lyrics
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Kicking cans and sailing fleets
Of models in the park
And jukebox jiving in the café
After dark, I showed the gang
My brand new six-inch blade
Always knew I'd make it out of there
They call me the wide boy
But they don't know
They call me the wide boy everywhere I go
They call me the wide boy but they can't see
It's just the wide-eyed man in me
Never held a steady job
I don't need what I can't rob
Stuff the nine to five
And dog eats dog and cat eats mouse
To stay alive
All you need is one eye for the law
And if the going gets too tough to take
A little luck don't you ask for anymore
They call me the wide boy
But they don't know
They call me the wide boy everywhere I go
They call me the wide boy but they can't see
It's just the wide-eyed man in me
It could be you (you) here (here)
You know it could you're not so good
It could be me (me) there (there)
For all I know for all you care
It could be you it could be you
It could be it could be
They call me the wide boy (wide wide boy)
But they don't know
They call me the wide boy (wide wide boy)
Everywhere I go
They call me the wide boy (wide boy)
But they can't see
It's just the wide-eyed man
It's just the wide-eyed man
It's just the wide-eyed man in me
They call me the wide boy
But they don't know
They call me the wide boy everywhere I go
They call me the wide boy but they can't see
It's just the wide-eyed man in me
They call me the wide boy
But they don't know
They call me the wide boy everywhere I go
They call me the wide boy but they can't see
It's just the wide-eyed man in me
What's the matter with you!
The Flying Pickets' song "Wide Boy" is a tale of a man who grew up on the streets and now lives life on his own terms, rejecting the traditional path of a steady job and instead opting for a life of petty crime. The singer's tough upbringing is conveyed through the opening lines, where he describes his childhood spent kicking cans and sailing model ships, only to graduate to demonstrating his six-inch blade to his gang after dark. Despite his criminal lifestyle, the singer maintains a sense of pride and self-respect, believing that he is destined for success.
The central theme of the song is the singer's moniker, the "wide boy", a slang term for a confident, streetwise man who knows how to get what he wants. The chorus describes how the singer is frequently referred to as such, but it's revealed that his outward persona is merely a facade, and he is, in fact, just a "wide-eyed man" trying to survive in a hostile world. The song implies that everyone has the potential to be a "wide boy" in their own way, with the line "it could be you, it could be me" suggesting that we all have dreams and aspirations that may fall outside of society's norms.
Overall, "Wide Boy" is a character study of a man who refuses to conform to social expectations and instead opts for a life of crime as a way to make ends meet. The song's optimistic message is that anyone can achieve success if they have the confidence and determination to pursue their goals, regardless of how unconventional they may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
I went to school out in the streets
I grew up in tough surroundings where the streets were my education.
Kicking cans and sailing fleets
I passed the time doing whatever I could with what was available.
Of models in the park
I enjoyed building models of things in the park.
And jukebox jiving in the café
I spent time dancing to music in cafes.
After dark, I showed the gang
When the sun went down, I demonstrated my bravery to my peers.
My brand new six-inch blade
Using my new six-inch knife.
Always knew I'd make it out of there
I always knew I could leave that tough neighborhood.
Always knew I'd make the grade
I always knew I'd succeed at whatever I put my mind to.
They call me the wide boy
People call me a con artist.
But they don't know
They don't really understand.
They call me the wide boy everywhere I go
People label me as a crook no matter where I travel.
They call me the wide boy but they can't see
People can't see that I'm just a wide-eyed person who sees the world differently.
It's just the wide-eyed man in me
I am just a person who sees the world with wonder.
Never held a steady job
I never had a stable source of income.
I don't need what I can't rob
I only acquire what I can take for myself.
Stuff the nine to five
I ignore the traditional work schedule.
And dog eats dog and cat eats mouse
The world is a harsh place where stronger people will take advantage of the weak.
To stay alive
This brutal existence is my way of surviving.
All you need is one eye for the law
It's easy to stay on the right side of the law if you just stay informed.
And if the going gets too tough to take
If life gets too hard you should just move on.
A little luck don't you ask for anymore
You shouldn't expect good luck to last forever.
It could be you (you) here (here)
You may also find yourself in my situation.
You know it could you're not so good
Bad things can happen to anyone.
It could be me (me) there (there)
I could be in your place, too.
For all I know for all you care
You may not even notice, and I may not care.
It could be you it could be you
It's not just me, it could be anyone.
It could be
This is something we all should be aware of.
They call me the wide boy (wide wide boy)
I am often labeled as the con artist or crook.
Everywhere I go
This reputation follows me everywhere I travel.
It's just the wide-eyed man in me
But I am really just someone who sees the world with wonder and curiosity.
What's the matter with you!
Why are you treating me differently just because of my reputation?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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