They were successful from the beginning, with their 1981 single "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" setting the stage for the breakthrough success of the album 'Pelican West' (1982). The single "Love Plus One" was even bigger than anything previous, and Haircut 100 seemed poised for stardom just as Heyward decided to seek a solo career. The remainder of the band tried to continue with the album 'Paint and Paint' (1984), with percussionist Mark Fox taking over Heyward's vocal duties, but they broke up soon after.
Although somewhat dismissed as a 'one hit wonder' due to the spread of blockbuster hit "Love Plus One", the band proved influential by the late 00s when new wave revivalist bands such as Vampire Weekend and No Kids emerged employing a similar style of preppy, afrobeat-like guitar pop.
40-40 Home
Haircut 100 Lyrics
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Early evening light will start to fade
And we'll be called inside
To wait for chance to say
Can I stay out late or maybe just an hour
But when you call I know that all I have to say is...
Forty forty home
You never could catch me
Around the world a yo-yo spun
You would skip and I would run
Those long days are slipping away
Days will pass
Taking turns to hide and lose our way
And beats will change the rhythm of the year
A worn out gate will swingalongasister
And running out calling to a friendly teaser
Forty forty home
You never would catch me
My ball against the wall
But around the world a yo-yo spun
Dodge the conkers one by one
But yours always came my way
Cross my path was something
I could not expect again
From beast to beauty, beautiful remain
Slide this way
Don't leave your past in shadow
And paper plane will fly your way on golden wings of...
Forty forty home
So now you have caught me
Your stocking said it all
Played the game and won, two, three
Made your move and captured me
So never let me go
Counting the spots on the lino
It seemed such a waste of time
But can't you stick to your side of the garden?
And I to mine!
Forty forty home
You never would catch me
My ball against the wall
But around the world a yo-yo spun
Dodge the conkers one by one
But yours always came my way
The Haircut 100’s song “40-40 Home” is a nostalgic, coming-of-age tune that reminisces about childhood memories, innocent games, and the passage of time. The lyrics describe a setting where a group of kids are playing outside until the early evening light fades, and their parents call them in to come home. The singer remembers asking for permission to stay out just a little bit longer, but ultimately decides to go home, chanting “40-40 home, you never could catch me.”
The song also describes the changing of the seasons and the passing of time as the kids grow up, playing games like dodgeball and skipping stones, but eventually going their separate ways. The singer hints that there might have been a special connection with someone who always seemed to catch his ball or yo-yo, or throw their conkers at him during a game. He also talks about the beauty that can still be found in things that may seem worn out, like a swing or garden gate, and encourages the listener to stay positive and hopeful. The lyrics end with the singer reminiscing about counting the spots on the lino (linoleum) and playfully teasing someone about staying on their side of the garden, emphasizing the innocence and simplicity of childhood.
Overall, “40-40 Home” is a wistful, sentimental song that captures the magic and wonder of being a kid, playing games with friends, and cherishing the memories that stick with us long after we’ve grown up.
Line by Line Meaning
Think in time
Be aware of the passing time
Early evening light will start to fade
The sunset signals the end of the day
And we'll be called inside
Time to go home
To wait for chance to say
Wait for an appropriate moment to speak
Can I stay out late or maybe just an hour
Request for extended curfew time
But when you call I know that all I have to say is...
Assurance that the request will be granted
Forty forty home
A childhood game of hide and seek
You never could catch me
Boasting about being a skilled player
With a stocking and a ball
A simple game that requires minimal equipment
Around the world a yo-yo spun
Refers to the yo-yo trick of spinning it globally
You would skip and I would run
Alternate turns in the game
Those long days are slipping away
The realization that time is passing by quickly
Days will pass
Acceptance of the natural progression of time
Taking turns to hide and lose our way
Playing hide and seek and getting lost in the fun
And beats will change the rhythm of the year
Different seasons bring new patterns of life
A worn out gate will swingalongasister
Old, familiar things become nostalgic
And running out calling to a friendly teaser
Playful taunts and teasing during games
My ball against the wall
A key component of the childhood game
Dodge the conkers one by one
Avoiding obstacles while playing the game
But yours always came my way
Teasing and playful competition between friends
Cross my path was something
Encountering unexpected things in life
I could not expect again
Delight in the moments that cannot be replicated
From beast to beauty, beautiful remain
The transformation of ugly things into beauty
Slide this way
A playful invitation to join in the fun
Don't leave your past in shadow
Don't forget the good memories of the past
And paper plane will fly your way on golden wings of...
The continuation of fun playtime
So now you have caught me
Being caught in the game of hide and seek
Your stocking said it all
A playful reference to a childhood stocking hat
Played the game and won, two, three
Winning the game after rounds of play
Made your move and captured me
Being caught and teasingly captured
So never let me go
A playful statement requesting to continue playing
Counting the spots on the lino
A throwaway activity to pass the time
It seemed such a waste of time
Wondering how time is wasted on simple activities
Can't you stick to your side of the garden?
Playful bickering about personal space
Contributed by Blake J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.