There are several theories about why the Happy Mondays are called what they are. One is that the band's name refers to what Manchester's unemployed population called the day that welfare checks were issued, or that simply they didn't have to go back to work on Mondays unlike the poor working sods. However, Shaun Ryder did remark in an interview with drug smuggler Howard Marks that the name Happy Mondays was merely a quick solution to naming the band and bears no real relevance at all. Despite fan speculation, he name has no connection with the song "Blue Monday" by synthpop band New Order, as the Mondays were together and had named the band before this song was released.
First incarnation
Manchester pop impresario Tony Wilson discovered the Mondays at a battle of the bands contest held at his Hacienda nightclub. The story goes that Wilson signed them to his label, Factory Records, even though they came in last. Their first album, Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out), debuted in 1987. A number of other albums followed, most of which were released in the United States on the Elektra Records label. By the late 1980s, the Happy Mondays were an important part of the Madchester music scene and personified rave culture. By this time frontman Ryder was fighting a serious drug problem and the band's productivity plummeted.
Musically, the band fused indie pop guitars with a rhythmic style that owed much to house music, techno and northern soul. Much of their music was remixed by popular DJs, emphasizing the dance influences even further. In terms of style and dress, they crossed hippy fashion and ideals with 1970s glamour. Sartorially and musically, the band helped to encourage the psychedelic revival associated with acid house. One of their most popular songs was Lazyitis, featuring a surreal duet between Ryder and country music legend Karl Denver.
The Mondays disbanded in 1992, and Shaun Ryder and Bez formed Black Grape with ex-Paris Angels guitarist, Paul Wagstaff a.k.a."Wags" and ex-Ruthless Rap Assassins star, Paul Leveridge a.k.a. "Kermit".
Second incarnation
Seven years passed, but in 1999 Happy Mondays reformed, minus Paul Davis and Mark Day. In their place were Wags and a number of other musicians close to Shaun Ryder. However, the reunion with a world tour and the release of a new single, The Boys Are Back In Town, was to be short-lived. The single sunk in the charts, reaching only number 30 in the UK singles chart. It was also dropped from the live set after proving difficult for the band to perform live. In 2000 the band called it a day after providing support for Oasis on their "Standing on the Shoulder of Giants" tour.
The band is featured in the 2002 movie 24 Hour Party People, with Danny Cunningham as Shaun Ryder. Paul Ryder had a cameo role as a gangster and Rowetta (who sang for the band on Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches and Yes, Please!) appeared in the film as herself.
Third incarnation
2004 saw another reformation, comprising Bez, Gary Whelan and Shaun Ryder, following the latter's unsuccessful solo career. The musicians released a live DVD that year of a show in Barcelona, and rumours abounded that the band was recording a new album. The Mondays played a variety of festival dates in 2005 (including Glastonbury), capping it off with a concert at the Manchester Evening News Arena in their hometown.
In June 2006 the Mondays performed another one-off gig in Liverpool, although Paul Ryder was not present - having sworn to never perform with his brother again following the 2000 break-up. On Sunday 30th July 2006 the Mondays were special guests at The Fuji Rock Festival - a 3 day festival held at the Naeba Ski Resort in Japan. They performed a 60 minute set - starting with Loose Fit and ending with 24 Hour Party People. Only Shaun, Bez and Gaz Whelan were present from the original lineup.
In early August of 2006, the band announced that they had completed their first album in 14 years with producers Sunny Levine and Howie B, and have recently signed to Sanctuary Records. A new single, "Playground Superstar" from the soundtrack for the football film "Goal!" was released a few months prior to completion of the new album, titled Uncle Dysfunctional and released in Summer 2007.
Happy Mondays performed before another reformed act, Rage Against the Machine, to put the finishing touches at the venerated 2007 Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California on April 27, 2007. The band then toured medium-sized venues in England in May 2007, playing old and new material. Various festival dates in the UK and New York City were performed throughout Summer 2007.
Fourth incarnation
On 29 January 2012, Shaun Ryder announced on radio station Xfm that the band would return with the original and definitive lineup of himself, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, Gary Whelan on drums, Rowetta as female vocalist, Mark Day on guitar, Paul Davis on keyboards and dancer Mark Berry. They appeared on ITV's This Morning, and were interviewed by Philip Schofield. Shaun Ryder pronounced that amends had been made, friendships reinstated and that it was just like the old days, but without the madness. They did a 13-date UK tour in May 2012, most of which were sold out, and an extra date was added at London's Brixton Academy due to the demand for tickets.[26] The tour included other shows at the Manchester Arena, plus other dates in Bournemouth, Glasgow, Dublin, Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham. To coincide with the band's reformation tour a best of album, Double Double Good was released in July 2012, as well as a live recording of the band's May 2012 gig in Brixton. The band went on to play gigs in Chile and Argentina in May 2012 and then a number of European festivals in the summer of 2012, including Ireland's Sea Sessions, Scotland's T in the Park, the band were headliners at Camp Bestival in Dorset in July 2012 and they performed at the V Festivals in August 2012. They then travelled to Majorca and Ibiza to play the Ibiza and Majorca Rocks events.
The band announced in September 2012 that they were writing their first album with the original lineup in more than 20 years.[citation needed]
The band played two nights at the Roundhouse, London and in Manchester in December 2012. They travelled to Dubai in April 2013 to perform and in May 2013 played gigs at Bristol's Vegfest and one in Brighton. June 2013 brought gigs at the Isle of Wight Festival and Scarborough, then in July 2013 they played at the Warrington Music Festival and at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, Surrey. They played dates in Belfast, Crewe and Dublin in August 2013. In October 2013 they travelled to Spain to do gigs in Barcelona and Madrid then in November 2013 they kicked off a 16 date UK tour to celebrate 25 years since their second critically acclaimed album Bummed was released, and the band plan to play most of the songs from that infamous album. The band signed to Creation Management in 2015. They have announced an international tour to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches.
In September 2015, a special programme on Watch called Singing in the Rainforest followed the band as they travelled to Panama to record a new song with an isolated tribe called the Embera. The band composed a track with members of the tribe for a performance, penning the track "Ooo La La to Panama". Although billed as the first original line-up recording since 1992, Paul Davis was not present, and no mention of him was made. Gaz Whelan confirmed via the Happy Mondays Twitter account (in answer to a question from a Twitter user named ormi_shinobi) that Davis had left the band.
The band toured New Zealand and Australia in February and March 2019, performing their 1990 album Pills 'N' Thrills And Bellyaches.
On 15 July 2022, the band announced via their Facebook page that Bassist and original member Paul Ryder had died in the early hours of that morning. He was 58 years old.
Happy Mondays have continued to perform live after Ryders death.
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Discography
Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out) (1987)
Bummed (1988)
Hallelujah (1989)
The Peel Sessions 1989 (1990) #79 UK
Madchester Rave On EP (1989) #19 UK
Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches (1990) #4 UK, #89 US
Live (1991) #21 UK
Yes Please (1992) #14 UK
Loads (1994) #41 UK
Greatest Hits (1999) #11 UK
Step On - Live In Barcelona (recorded Dec. 2004) (2005) #194 UK
The Platinum Collection (2005) #19 UK
Uncle Dysfunktional (2007) #73 UK
Kinky Afro
Happy Mondays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I only went with your mother 'cause she's dirty
And I don't have a decent bone in me
What you get is just what you see yeah
I see it so I take it freely
And all the bad piss ugly things I feed me
I never help or give to the needy
Come on and see me
I had to crucify some brother today
And I don't dig what you gotta say
So come on and say it
Come on and tell me twice
I said dad you're shabby
You run around and groove like a baggy
You're only here just out of habit
All that's mine you might as well have it
You take ten feet back and then stab it
Spray it on and 'tag it
So sack on me
I can't stand the needy
Get around here if you're asking you're feeling
I had to crucify somebody today
And I don't dig what you gotta say
So come on and say it
Come on and tell me twice
So sack all the needy
I can't stand to leave it
You come around here and you put both your feet in
I had to crucify somebody today
And I don't dig what you gotta say
So go on and say it
I had to crucify some brother today
And I don't hear what you gotta say
So come on and say it
Come on and tell me twice
The Happy Mondays' song "Kinky Afro" is an upbeat and raunchy anthem that is laced with drug references, sexual innuendos, and a strong sense of rebellion. The song's opening lines, "Son, I'm 30, I only went with your mother 'cause she's dirty / And I don't have a decent bone in me," set the tone for the rest of the lyrically audacious song. The singer of the song is a hedonistic and amoral individual who is not afraid to indulge in any vice or pleasure that comes his way.
Throughout the song, the singer boasts about his transgressive behavior and how he gets what he wants without any regard for the consequences. He revels in his lack of empathy and kindness, stating that he never helps or gives to the needy. The singer's nihilistic worldview is also reflected in the lines, "I had to crucify some brother today / And I don't dig what you gotta say / So come on and say it / Come on and tell me twice." The use of the word "crucify" is a metaphor for his violent and hostile attitude towards anyone who challenges him.
Line by Line Meaning
Son, I'm 30
I am a mature adult, with significant life experience and wisdom.
I only went with your mother 'cause she's dirty
I engaged in sexual activity with your mother simply because she was willing, without any real emotional attachment or deeper connection.
And I don't have a decent bone in me
I lack fundamental moral character, and am unapologetic about it.
What you get is just what you see yeah
I am transparent in my intentions and actions; there are no hidden agendas or ulterior motives at play here.
I see it so I take it freely
I am opportunistic, and if I want something, I will go for it without hesitation or remorse.
And all the bad piss ugly things I feed me
I have a tendency to indulge in unhealthy or unsavory behaviors, without any regard for the consequences.
I never help or give to the needy
I am not a charitable or altruistic person, and do not tend to lend a hand to those who are less fortunate than myself.
Come on and see me
I invite others to witness my unapologetic behavior and personality, as I have nothing to hide.
I had to crucify some brother today
I was forced to metaphorically 'crucify' someone, likely due to a disagreement or conflict.
And I don't dig what you gotta say
I am not interested in hearing alternative perspectives or opinions on this matter.
So come on and say it
I challenge you to speak your mind openly and honestly, regardless of whether or not I will agree with you.
Come on and tell me twice
If you feel strongly about this issue, I want you to reiterate your stance and make sure I understand it clearly.
I said dad you're shabby
I verbalized my belief that my father is uncultured or untidy in some way.
You run around and groove like a baggy
I believe my father is excessively casual or loose in his behavior or mannerisms.
You're only here just out of habit
I do not believe my father takes an active interest in my life or upbringing; he is simply present out of obligation.
All that's mine you might as well have it
I do not feel particularly possessive or attached to my belongings or material possessions, and am willing to let others take what they want of my property.
You take ten feet back and then stab it
I feel as though my father is attacking me or taking advantage of me in some way, which is painful and unexpected.
Spray it on and 'tag it
I take an action, such as marking my possessions, to establish ownership or control over what I have left.
So sack on me
I feel as though I am being burdened by others, which is uncomfortable and unwanted.
I can't stand the needy
I feel disdain towards those who require assistance or support, and may actually resent them for it.
Get around here if you're asking you're feeling
If someone needs or wants something from me, they should expect to be met with hostility and resistance due to my general demeanor.
So sack all the needy
I hold strong negative feelings towards individuals who are struggling or vulnerable, and do not feel any obligation to help them out.
I can't stand to leave it
The thought of someone else taking control of my possessions or belongings is unbearable to me, which is why I try to maintain a tight grip on everything I possess.
You come around here and you put both your feet in
If someone comes to me seeking something, I am likely to view them as intruders, rather than legitimate requests or individuals.
So go on and say it
I am urging you to speak your mind and share your perspective, even if it will likely conflict with mine or create tension.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL ANTHONY RYDER, GARY KENNETH WHELAN, MARK PHILIP DAY, PAUL RICHARD DAVIS, SHAUN WILLIAM RYDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ThePelly
Bez deserves a medal for gallantry. He tried to single handedly win the war on drugs, by taking them all so that there was none left for the rest of us.
@JMGEntertainmentify
FOKINGGGGGG BRILIIANT !!!! LMFAOOO!!!! CHEERS!@!!!!
@sirrodney3443
@JMGEntertainmentify Excellent, hit the giggles on that one. Cheers...
@Brewnoe
And bob's yer uncle
@patd5146
Dunno bout that....still had my share! And some😉
@joydavenport5872
I think Shaun did his fair share as well.
@clp91009
RIP Paul Ryder. His bass put the groove into the Happy Mondays signature sound. Between him and Mark Day on guitar they were technically very capable.
@lonetardigrade
This was one of the first basslines I loved to learn and play. Great bassist and musician indeed.
@iseeolly9959
Love from a 50 year old feeling like a teen again, RIP xx
@michaelcole2845
It blows my mind that his brother outlived him.