I Want To Be Straight
Ian Dury Lyrics

I'm Charley, you know
Introducing himself as Charley

I'm Norman pleased to meet you
Introducing himself as Norman and greeting the listener

I'm Mickey, hello
Introducing himself as Mickey and greeting the listener

Wilko
Identifying himself as Wilko

I'm Johnny, how are you doing Harry?
Introducing himself as Johnny and asking how Harry is doing

My name is David
Identifying himself as David

And I'm Ian and guess what?
Introducing himself as Ian and prompting the listener to guess why he is important

Oi!
Exclamation of attention or dissatisfaction

I want to be straight, I want to be straight
Expressing a desire to conform to accepted societal norms

I'm sick and tired of taking drugs and staying up late.
Preferring a more 'normal' lifestyle rather than one involving drug use and staying up late

I want to confirm, I want to conform
Desiring to follow conventional standards of behavior

I want to be safe and I want to be snug and I want to be warm
Desiring comfort, security and predictability in life

I want to create a place of my own in the welfare state
Exploring options to live within the framework of the welfare state

Brr, gonna be good, brr, gonna be kind
Expressing determination to be more socially acceptable

It might be a wrench but think of the stench I'm leaving behind
Acknowledging and leaving behind past behavior habits that were less socially acceptable

Come out of the cold and do what I'm told and don't deviate
Acknowledging that conformity involves submissiveness and adherence to rules and norms

I want to give, I want to give, I want to give my consent
Desiring to be more willing to accept social norms and standards

I'm learning to hate all the things that were great when I used to be bent!
Acknowledging a change in feelings about past actions that were less socially acceptable

Could be not straightness Dumb dumb dilley
Possible criticism of the act of conforming to social norms

Might lead to greatness Dur yuh dumb der
Acknowledging a potential benefit to conforming

Owing to lateness My chance has only just arrived, ha
Acknowledging a delay in making the decision to conform, but feeling optimistic about the opportunity for change

Ow! Straight, straight, straight, straight Straight, straight, straight, straight Straight, straight, straight, straight, straight
Repeating the desire to conform to societal norms

I know that you're right, I know I was wrong So thanks very much, please keep in touch, I'll be rhyming along
Expressing gratitude and a willingness to change

I want to be straight I want to be straight I want to be straight I want to be straight I want to be straight I want to be straight...
Repeating the desire to conform to societal norms