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.
Too Up Too Down
Haircut 100 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I just deserted but I've seen that road before
Two up two down terrace town, roll on salad days
Well I'm a mighty lorne greene to mow
Oh oh! better let me grow
You're bringing me up, holding me down
The looks, the sighs and the frowns
So this time I'm on my own!
(back to front in the back to backs) and it's no big deal
From a heartless jack
Who keeps cheating the cards
And splitting the deck
You're bringing me up, holding me down
The looks, the sighs and the frowns
So this time I'm on my own!
Just watch me go
Too up too down terrace town, numbing all the senses
Well I just left home but I've seen that porch before
Well, I'm too up too down terrace town, leaning on defences
But I'm a ruddy lorne greene to mow so now
You'd better let me grow
You're bringing me up, holding me down
Stick in the mud, face in the ground
So this time I'm on my own
Oh this time I'm on my own
Building you up
Pulling me down
Sick of the glares, the flair's and the browns
So this time I'm on my own
Oh this time I'm on my own.
Too up too down
Too up two down
The lyrics to Haircut 100's song "Too Up Too Down" convey a sense of longing to escape the limitations of a small town and strike out on one's own. The repeated reference to a "two up two down terrace town" underscores the confines of this place and the singer's desire to break free. They feel they have seen that road before, indicating a sense of stagnation and repetition in their life. The line "Oh oh! better let me grow" is a plea to be allowed room to explore one's potential.
The singer seems to feel hindered by the looks, sighs, and frowns of those around them, representing the expectations and norms of their hometown. The metaphor of "eyes down look in" implies a sense of people keeping to themselves and staying in their own lanes, without venturing out or taking risks. The reference to a "heartless jack" who cheats at cards and splits the deck suggests a distrust of those who play the game of life unfairly.
Despite all this, the singer seems determined to strike out on their own and "let me grow." They're sick of feeling "down" and held back and want to be "up" and in control of their own destiny. The repeated phrase "too up too down" seems to resonate with this idea, emphasizing the need to push beyond the limitations of their current situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Two up two down terrace town, heading far away
Leaving behind a working-class town with small two-story homes in search of something bigger and better
Well I just deserted but I've seen that road before
Although leaving this town is a new experience, the singer has taken similar journeys in the past
Two up two down terrace town, roll on salad days
Reflecting on simpler times from the past in the same type of town
Well I'm a mighty lorne greene to mow
Comparing oneself to a strong and capable actor known for their work ethic
Oh oh! better let me grow
Asking others to give the artist space to grow and flourish
You're bringing me up, holding me down
Feeling conflicted by the mixed messages and criticism from others
The looks, the sighs and the frowns
Noticing the negative reactions and disapproval from others
So this time I'm on my own!
Determined to go their own way and make their own decisions
It's eyes down look in but don't you ever turn back
Advising others to focus on their goals and not to give up, even when things get tough
(back to front in the back to backs) and it's no big deal
Implying that moving forward is expected and not a big deal
From a heartless jack
Referring to someone who is deceitful and selfish
Who keeps cheating the cards
Continuing the metaphor of deceit and trickery
And splitting the deck
Further emphasizing the deceptive behavior of the heartless jack
Stick in the mud, face in the ground
Feeling stuck and unable to move forward due to the disapproval and negativity of others
Just watch me go
Confidently declaring that the singer will move forward and succeed without others holding them back
Too up too down terrace town, numbing all the senses
Feeling overwhelmed and dulled by the monotony and sameness of the town
Well I just left home but I've seen that porch before
Feeling like they've been stuck in a similar place and situation their whole life
Well, I'm too up too down terrace town, leaning on defences
Recognizing the need to protect oneself from the negativity and criticism of others in this type of town
But I'm a ruddy lorne greene to mow so now
Still comparing oneself to the strong and capable actor, but now feeling ready to take on new challenges
Stick in the mud, face in the ground
Repeating the feeling of being stuck and unable to move forward due to the negative attitudes of others
Sick of the glares, the flair's and the browns
Fed up with the judgmental looks, showy behavior, and boring sameness of the town and its people
Oh this time I'm on my own
Repeating the determination to go their own way and prove themselves despite the negativity of others
Too up too down
Repeating the title of the song and the theme of this duality, of feeling pulled in two different directions and struggling to find one's own path
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tre S
ONE of the most UNDERRATED tracks from Haircut 100!! Absolutely love this thanks for the upload!
Gregor McIntyre
this album really needs to be released on cd and also a 12inch singles cd as well
Gregor McIntyre
you would have thought haircut 100 would want this work back in the public domain, especially as there are rumours of a new haircut 100 album sometime as well ...
biffordmichael
It was the best track on the album...I *think* I had a remix 12'' to this but I could be wrong...it's been A LONG time!
Grammar Nazi
ahhh this song soothes my soul
Autumn Hatfield
so underrated :’)
Chris Valentine
One of those great tracks that ought to be on cd. This is actually up there with the very best of their output.
FrankChickens
The best we'll get from Cherry Red is the album plus possibly After It's All Been Said and Done as it'll be too expensive to include the mixes as well.
FrankChickens
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it. :)
Gregor McIntyre
we need to get cherry red records to release this on cd and perhaps also another cd of all the extended versions!