Hatfield released five albums, the first three on Virgin. The five albums are: 1973's eponymous effort, 1975's The Rotters' Club, 1980's now-deleted compilation Afters (of which the new bits have been tagged onto the end of The Rotters' Club CD), 2005's radio sessions/live compilation Hatwise Choice, and 2006's radio sessions/live compilation Hattitude,. The latter two are available only from Burning Shed. The group split in 1975 because of overwhelming indifference. It re-formed briefly in 1990, and again in 2005, with the possibility of new material being issued.
The name of the band was inspired by the road signage on the main A1 road heading north from London, where the a succession of signs referred to the first major town, and the overall direction, as 'A1 Hatfield & the North'. This style of sign from the 1970s has now been replaced by a slightly different variant.
In 2005/2006, the band released two archival collections, "Hatwise Choice" and "Hattitude", both featuring the classic Miller/Pyle/Sinclair/Stewart line-up.
Pip Pyle passed away 28th August 2006, Phil Miller passed away 18th October 2017.
Bossa Nochance
Hatfield and the North Lyrics
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Higher up than sleeping under this bush
If I had a magic broom, I'd rev it up
And out in space I would whoosh
I'd ask you to be with me there to
Do anything you would like to do...
I like singing spaces not bricks
I like making big mistakes -
Knickerless girls being understood but not seen
But I've got a nasty cold today (sniff)
I've run out of words to say 'arbitrary' (arbitrary)
The lyrics of "Bossa Nochance" by Hatfield and the North convey a sense of escapism and longing for something beyond the mundane reality of day-to-day life. The opening lines, "A bed in the sky would make me higher up than sleeping under this bush," suggest a desire to transcend earthly limitations and achieve a greater sense of elevation and freedom. This theme is reinforced by the subsequent lines about a magic broom that would enable the singer to soar through space and leave behind the constraints of earthly existence. The invitation to a companion to join the singer in this magical realm underscores the desire for human connection and companionship in this potential state of transcendence.
The second stanza further emphasizes the singer's desire for creative and intellectual fulfillment, as opposed to the "bricks" of daily routine. The singer revels in the "intervals and all the notes in between," suggesting a love of the subtleties and complexities of music. The mention of "big mistakes" and "knickerless girls" implies a desire to embrace experimentation and unconventional perspectives. However, the admission of a "nasty cold" and the self-referential use of the word "arbitrary" near the end of the stanza suggests a recognition of the limitations and imperfections that prevent the singer from fully realizing their creative and transcendental aspirations.
Overall, "Bossa Nochance" expresses a yearning for something beyond the ordinary that speaks to the human desire for transcendence and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
A bed in the sky would make me
I wish to be elevated up high
Higher up than sleeping under this bush
Higher than my current state of living
If I had a magic broom, I'd rev it up
When given a chance, I would utilize it to its fullest potential
And out in space I would whoosh
Explore beyond the limits of this world
I'd ask you to be with me there to
You can join me if you like
Do anything you would like to do...
The followed individual can have free will and explore as they wish
I like singing spaces not bricks
I prefer to be among the unknown and undefined
Intervals and all the notes in between
I appreciate the in-between spaces and moments
I like making big mistakes -
I don't mind making mistakes, especially big ones
Knickerless girls being understood but not seen
A mysterious quality that is more interesting than the obvious
But I've got a nasty cold today (sniff)
Although I may have trouble today
I've run out of words to say 'arbitrary' (arbitrary)
I am out of options or things to say because I have overused my vocabulary
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SINCLAIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind