Allegedly nicknamed "King Monkey" by Dodgy's drummer Mathew Priest. Brown is well known to standout from the crowd and had his own unique style, whilst in The Roses he used to often wear big baggy flares and his landmark t-shirt with banknotes on. He now has a more casual look: Adidas Jackets, tracksuit bottoms, army trousers and a pair of shades. He is also recognisable for his varying hairstyles including: Blonde mohawk (early Stone Roses days) short (also early Stone roses days) undercut (similar to John Squire's) Big Hair (1989) bob cut (early 90's) Skinhead and his most well known hairdo long and shaggy with a fringe.
He has had two top 5 singles in the UK, My Star and Dolphins Were Monkeys. In 2005 he collaborated with Noel Gallagher from Oasis for the track Keep What Ya Got. He has also collaborated with U.N.K.L.E. on two tracks, 1999's Be There and Reign in 2004.
Recently Brown has started playing Stone Roses songs during gigs, fuelling speculation that a reunion may be on the cards. But In September 2005 Ian appeared to rule out a Stone Roses reunion saying "there's more chance of me reforming the Happy Mondays than the Roses". Happy Mondays in fact have reformed, but yet Brown appears pessimistic about a likelihood of any reunion. A reunion would also hinge on the co-operation of Roses guitarist John Squire who recently stated his desire to turn his back on music and focus on painting.
His latest album, My Way, was released September 2009.
Corpses in Their Mouths
Ian Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are the social chameleon, what on earth we gonna do with you?
Slip your neck into a rope,
Show me a smile
You'd run a mile
Then you are free, so where's the goal?
Where's the style? You want the dough
Got Dead Sea Scrolls for you
She's got corpses in her mouth
Still she's holding hands with you
It's cut like crystal chandeliers
I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
She smokes crack, it's off the beaten track
You're the social chameleon,
Yes, you change to suit the people around you
It's like the waves that hit the shore
You cannot stand the force of law
Look man, I know it from your nature
Hit the deck as the creator
Got Dead Sea Scrolls for you
And your women too
She's got corpses in her mouth
Still she's holding hands with you
It's cut like crystal chandeliers
I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
She's got corpses in her mouth
Still she's holding hands with you
It's cut like crystal chandeliers
I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
She's got corpses in her mouth
The song Corpses in Their Mouths by Ian Brown talks about people who lie unnecessarily when the truth is good enough. The lyrics begin with the artist addressing someone who is a social chameleon, someone who changes their behavior to suit their surroundings, and asks what can be done about them. This person lies and doesn't care about the truth, whilst running away from their problems instead of facing them. Brown uses the imagery of being hung by a rope and running away, suggesting that this person needs to take control of their life instead of always trying to escape from it.
The song then takes an interesting turn with the line "Got Dead Sea Scrolls for you." The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of Jewish texts from the Second Temple period discovered in the Judaean Desert, between 1946 and 1956. By referencing the Dead Sea Scrolls, Brown may be suggesting that he has hidden knowledge or insight that could benefit this person, or he may be suggesting that this person is not interested in such knowledge.
The second half of the song focuses on a woman who smokes crack and has "corpses in her mouth," which may refer to the physical effects of drug abuse or the lies and secrets that she keeps hidden. The artist notes that despite this, she still holds hands with the social chameleon, and that her life is cut like crystal chandeliers, an image of beauty and fragility. Brown compares himself to diamonds in her ears - something beautiful that she admires but cannot possess.
Line by Line Meaning
You tell lies when the truth will do
You have a tendency to fabricate stories even when the truth is sufficient to get your message across.
You are the social chameleon, what on earth we gonna do with you?
You have a talent for adapting to different social situations, but it makes it difficult for others to understand or trust you.
Slip your neck into a rope
Put yourself in a dangerous situation that could lead to your demise.
Show me a smile
Pretend like everything is okay, even though it might not be.
You'd run a mile
You avoid confrontations, preferring to escape from them instead.
Then you are free, so where's the goal?
Once you've escaped from a conflict or task, you lack direction or purpose, making it hard to accomplish your goals.
Where's the style? You want the dough
You're interested in wealth and material possessions, often at the expense of style or personal identity.
Got Dead Sea Scrolls for you, And your women too
I have knowledge that could be beneficial to you, as well as your associates.
She's got corpses in her mouth, Still she's holding hands with you
She has a history of deception or hurtful behavior, yet you continue to have a close relationship with her.
It's cut like crystal chandeliers, I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
My honesty and integrity will shine through like precious jewels, in contrast to her deceitful nature.
She smokes crack, it's off the beaten track
She has questionable habits or activities that aren't widely accepted or understood by society.
You're the social chameleon, Yes, you change to suit the people around you
You alter your behavior to fit in with the company you keep, making it difficult to know your true beliefs or values.
It's like the waves that hit the shore, You cannot stand the force of law
You're easily influenced by external factors, such as social pressure or authority, that prevent you from fully expressing yourself.
Look man, I know it from your nature, Hit the deck as the creator
I can tell by your personality that you have a tendency to start problems, but when confronted, you shy away from taking responsibility for your actions.
She's got corpses in her mouth
She speaks lies, half-truths, or hurtful comments that are damaging to others.
Still she's holding hands with you
Despite her negative behavior, you continue to maintain a relationship with her.
It's cut like crystal chandeliers, I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
My honesty and integrity will stand out compared to her damaging communication style.
She's got corpses in her mouth, Still she's holding hands with you
Despite her negative behavior, you continue to maintain a relationship with her.
It's cut like crystal chandeliers, I'll shine like diamonds in her ears
My honesty and integrity will stand out compared to her damaging communication style.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: AZIZ IBRAHIM, IAN BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaredivan997
2023???❤
@redred9882
I cried when he released this and his debut solo album. The Stone Roses saved me as a kid in so many ways. Much love to fellow Roses fans. True music for the masses 😎
@jansmith8872
😎
@4Antzini
O my days lost with out the rose’s & Ian brown then solo 💫 got the chance to see them play Phoenix Park Dublin💯dream come true
@stonedcrow5821
Best song Brown ever did, no doubt about that at all..... That little chorus lick is SWEET.....
@puffpuffpass2408
I myself can't make my mind up what Ian brown is my favourite there's that many. 👌
@user-yh4kl3hx2o
Too many...
@ClockinwithBen-lr4xk
Aziz
@brendonhope
Listened to this for the first time in over a decade today, blown away. "Why tell lies, when the truth will do "
@jamiewilliams685
You tell lies