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.
First World Problems
Ian Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
I, I'm an early riser
Wake up let the sun go to my head
Hey, just hypnotise ya
Walking like your boots are made of lead
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
I, I'm an easy rider
Watch me as I ride and glide away
Say, still might surprise ya
Disappear come back another day
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Open up your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
Crying like a new born baby
All is a distraction by design
A trick of smoke and mirrors to steal your mind
All is an illusion, mired in confusion
Codex Alimentarius
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Open up your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
Driving everybody crazy
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Opening your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
Driving everybody crazy
Driving everybody crazy
Driving everybody crazy
Hands and knees and oops-a-daisy
Driving everybody crazy
How do you get so f- lazy?
Driving everybody crazy
Everybody crazy
Crazy
The song "First World Problems" by Ian Brown is a commentary on the trivial nature of the problems faced by people in wealthy countries. The lyrics suggest that people in wealthy countries tend to create problems for themselves when their basic needs are already being met, and that they get caught up in the daily grind of life without really seeing the bigger picture. The chorus repeats the idea of "first world problems", with Brown pointing out that these issues are a source of frustration and annoyance to those around them.
The verses describe Brown's own attitude towards life, suggesting that he is something of an outsider who doesn't buy into the idea of chasing material success. He talks about waking up early and letting the sun "go to his head", suggesting that he finds joy in the simple things in life. He contrasts this with the people around him, who are "driving everybody crazy" with their obsession with money and status.
Line by Line Meaning
There you go again with your first world problems
You're complaining about trivial issues in your privileged life
Where your living is easy
You have no real problems and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Your routine is boring you and affecting your mental health; you need a break
Driving everybody crazy
Your behavior is annoying everyone around you
I, I'm an early riser
I wake up early
Wake up let the sun go to my head
I enjoy the start of a new day and feel invigorated
Hey, just hypnotise ya
I have a captivating effect on others
Walking like your boots are made of lead
You seem sluggish and unmotivated
I, I'm an easy rider
I am relaxed and carefree
Watch me as I ride and glide away
I am leaving my troubles behind and enjoying the moment
Say, still might surprise ya
I might do something unexpected
Disappear come back another day
I might leave, but I'll be back
Open up your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
You're talking a lot, but not saying anything of substance
Crying like a new born baby
You're throwing a fit over minor issues
All is a distraction by design
Everything is meant to keep you from focusing on important matters
A trick of smoke and mirrors to steal your mind
The distractions are meant to deceive you and keep you in a state of confusion
All is an illusion, mired in confusion
Nothing is what it seems, and everything is complicated
Codex Alimentarius
A reference to a controversial plan for global food standards
Hands and knees and oops-a-daisy
A phrase used to mock someone for falling down
How do you get so f- lazy?
An exclamation of frustration with someone's laziness
Everybody crazy
Everyone is acting irrationally or out of control
Driving everybody crazy
Your behavior is irritating and causing chaos
Driving everybody crazy
Your behavior is irritating and causing chaos
Driving everybody crazy
Your behavior is irritating and causing chaos
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ian Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dylan Harrington
Love the tune, love the man! IB is a legend.
I went to his greatest hits tour years ago, after losing my dad in a motorbike accident.
Unfortunately, I got stopped at security with a pocket full of joints. Security took them off me and proceeded to throw me out of the venue( Cardiff students union).
My good friend agreed to leave with me so I wasn't the only one to miss out!
We were escorted to the door where we met a girl with the same story.
The next thing I know Ian's tour manager gets off the tour bus and comes over.
He said "I'll have a word with Ian and see what we can do". We thought it was a joke but sure enough, Ian gets off the bus and comes over. He said" if I can't get you all back in, I'm not going on stage" and disappears. We were all buzzing at the fact he was concerned enough to say hello but didn't hold much hope.
Then Ian appears again, calling us all back to the front door which still had a huge line of people waiting.
He says" I've sorted it" and " come with me".
We walked back in past all the security with him and he stopped at the doors to backstage. He apologised that we couldn't go too but he was going straight on stage. We all shook hands and entered the arena.
What a night, what a gig, what a man!!
Much love from Cardiff.
Mick Harb
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
[Chorus]
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
[Verse 1]
I, I'm an early riser
Wake up let the sun go to my head
Hey, just hypnotise ya
Walking like your boots are made of lead
[Chorus]
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
[Chorus]
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
[Verse 2]
I, I'm an easy rider
Watch me as I ride and glide away
Say, still might surprise ya
Disappear come back another day
[Chorus]
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Open up your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
Crying like a new born baby
[Verse 3]
All is a distraction by design
A trick of smoke and mirros to steal your mind
All is an illusion, mired in confusion
Codex Alimentarius
[Chorus]
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Open up your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
Driving everybody crazy
[Chorus]
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Opening your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
Driving everybody crazy
Driving everybody crazy
Driving everybody crazy
Hands and knees and oops-a-daisy
Driving everybody crazy
How do you get so f- lazy?
Driving everybody crazy
Everybody crazy
Crazy
Daniel Garcia
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
I, I'm an early riser
Wake up let the sun go to my head
Hey, just hypnotise ya
Walking like your boots are made of lead
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Messing up your mind the daily grind, gotta leave it all behind
Driving everybody crazy
I, I'm an easy rider
Watch me as I ride and glide away
Say, still might surprise ya
Disappear come back another day
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Open up your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
Crying like a new born baby
All is a distraction by design
A trick of smoke and mirrors to steal your mind
All is an illusion, mired in confusion
Codex Alimentarius
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Open up your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
Driving everybody crazy
There you go again with your first world problems
Where your living is easy
Opening your mouth and making sounds, but there's nothing coming out
Driving everybody crazy
Driving everybody crazy
Driving everybody crazy
Hands and knees and oops-a-daisy
Driving everybody crazy
How do you get so f- lazy?
Driving everybody crazy
Everybody crazy
Crazy
JJ one EIGHTY
I was lucky enough to go on tour with Ian as the support band for him about 10 years ago. He made sure we were treated just as well as any big band, he came and chilled with us every day. We ate the same food as him from his own catering, made sure we had enough beer, and we all smoked many a blunt with him. Good times, great memories. He's a top fucking guy.
Colter Crockett
JJ one EIGHTY no shit, it’s Ian brown...
phil hems
I was in a youth hostel when he came to my town and he invited me and others round to eat with them before the show and AAA passes for a smoke with him after plus the after show. The guy couldn't be more down to earth and sound!
WeAreTheMods
JJ one EIGHTY you lucky bastard good on you mate. Bet u got some stories lol 🤫✌️
Grant G
What a cool experience. Top bloke! Top musician too!.
phil hems
I was still smoking his weed a week later LOL. He handed me more as I was leaving. He actually preferred to be around us 'real people' than the star struck drunk idiots his security were keeping at bay. The DJ at the after show played a Stone roses tune though and that didn't go down well at all.
Steven Miller
This has got to be one of the best songs Ian has brought out by far. Respect Ian 👊🏻
Mart Fildes
Legend. Over 30 Years and still more relevant than every single artist today. Keep going Ian lad our youth needs you now more than ever.
Mart Fildes
b n you don’t know what lad means?
Mart Fildes
b n why not? It’s a term of endearment up north lad. Your obviously not from around these parts eh. Now jog on lad. Thinking you can tell people how to talk and to whom. Do you where big shoes with that shiny red nose?