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.
Take That Situation
Haircut 100 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and shout at me until I hide
but what makes me so dumb inside
is waiting for my heart to die
make me shout
make me shout
content to sit and pour it out
and do it right, and put it right
and do it right, and do it right
make me shout
you're too late
I let you get back in a state
take my blame and take a break
before you end this sorry state
going to take that situation
and do it right, and put it right
and do it right, and do it right
I tried and knew that something
was to keep me down
it's all over with the justice of an
empty clown
sadness is the reason why I can't stand out
from the crowd
I only need a minute to look
up and proud
how can we just sit about
and not begin to work it out
the trouble is with your old friends
is one who blames and just complains
take that situation
and do it right
come on and shout
and poru it out
on a day that left me back in doubt
take my blame and dance and shout
'cause i'm still saying you make me shout
take that situation
and do it right
take that situation!
In "Take That Situation," Haircut 100 deals with the struggle of regaining one's self-respect and taking control of difficult situations. The lyrics reflect a frustration with being belittled and yelled at by someone who has taken their pride. The singer acknowledges that waiting for their heart to die is a foolish choice, but the pain is still there. The repeated line, "make me shout," represents a desire to speak up and take action. The singer wants to put the situation right, to take control and not be passive. They also acknowledge the negative influence of old friends who are quick to blame and complain. The overall message is one of empowerment, taking control and not allowing others to strip away self-respect.
Line by Line Meaning
How can you take back my pride
Expressing confusion over how someone could undermine their sense of self-worth
and shout at me until I hide
Being subjected to verbal abuse until they withdraw from interaction
but what makes me so dumb inside
Feeling foolish for allowing themselves to be treated poorly
is waiting for my heart to die
Allowing themselves to be beaten down emotionally until they lose all feeling
make me shout
Begging to be given an opportunity to express themselves powerfully
make me shout
Reiterating the desire to be able to speak their mind loudly
content to sit and pour it out
Willing to express their feelings in a calm and measured way
going to take that situation and do it right, and put it right
Committing to resolving the issue at hand, and making things better for themselves
make me shout
Repeating the desire to be able to assert themselves and speak their truth
you're too late
Informing someone that they've missed their opportunity to hurt them further
I let you get back in a state
Acknowledging that they allowed someone to get to them emotionally
take my blame and take a break
Offering to take responsibility and move past the negative situation
before you end this sorry state
Urging someone to avoid further worsening an already difficult situation
going to take that situation and do it right, and put it right
Restating the commitment to fixing the situation at hand
and do it right, and do it right
Emphasizing the importance of taking proactive steps to improve things
I tried and knew that something was to keep me down
Acknowledging that an external force beyond their control is causing them distress
it's all over with the justice of an empty clown
Feeling as though the situation is hopeless, and those who should help are incompetent
sadness is the reason why I can't stand out from the crowd
Feeling emotionally drained, and unable to distinguish themselves from others
I only need a minute to look up and proud
Realizing that they only need a brief period of time to regain their confidence
how can we just sit about and not begin to work it out
Expressing frustration over the lack of progress being made in resolving the situation
the trouble is with your old friends, is one who blames and just complains
Identifying that the root of the problem is a friend who is not helping, but rather pointing fingers and being negative
take that situation and do it right
Asserting the need to take affirmative action to improve the situation
come on and shout, and pour it out
Encouraging oneself to express their feelings freely and without fear
on a day that left me back in doubt
Referencing a time when they were unsure of themselves, and did not have confidence
take my blame and dance and shout
Offering to take responsibility, and expressing a willingness to celebrate progress
'cause I'm still saying you make me shout
Admitting that the person who has caused the situation continues to have an emotional impact
take that situation and do it right
Reiterating the commitment to taking action to solve the problem
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NICK HEYWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gjmay78
The young man knows how to craft some catchy, fun tunes. He still has so much more in him. 62 years young,(even more handsome now😊).
@pennypay1
Nick was my first musician-crush. Haircut 100 was huge when I was 10; the timing was perfect. (Which was true for pretty much the whole 2nd British Invasion in the U.S.A., when I was crazy about so many of those pop and New Wave hits.) I wore out my copy of Pelican West, and later North of A Miracle. Such fun songs, and each one distinct and special.
@lizsteele8858
Cracking good music. Great song, singer, musicians, performance, with energy, fun & passion. 🙂👍🏻🌟😍
@witterth
PINO PALLDINO PEOPLE!!!!¬
@user-um1zn2ze2i
i love this song💜 he is my forever idol❤️
@angelasmithson5291
Nick is so HANDSOME!!😍😍
@nickcolby1391
He really is , still is actually
@angelasmithson5291
@Nicholas colby Yes you are right,
I've always been a fan of Nick - I have his album. One of my favourite songs is Fantastic Day. He still performs well too!!😀
@grammarnazi7428
oooo yeah that sax solo soothes the soul
@september7013
What a Legend. Love it.