… Read Full Bio ↴Ian Dury (1942-2000) was an English singer, songwriter, and bandleader.
Born on 12th May 1942, he is best known as founder and lead singer of the British band Ian Dury and the Blockheads, though he began his musical career in pub-rock act Kilburn & the High Roads. He wrote many famous songs including "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick", "What a Waste", and "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll". He died on 27th March 2000.
At the age of seven, Dury contracted polio; very likely, he believed, from a swimming pool at Southend on Sea during the 1949 polio epidemic. After six weeks in a full plaster cast in Truro hospital, he was moved to Black Notley Hospital, Braintree, Essex, where he spent a year and a half before going to Chailey Heritage Craft School, East Sussex, in 1951. Chailey was a school and hospital for disabled children, and believed in toughening them up, contributing to the observant and determined person Dury became.
Inbetweenies
Ian Dury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My reactions are my own affair
A body likes to be near the bone
Oh Nancy, Leslie, Jack and Joan
I die when I'm alone, alone
Shake your booty when your back is bent
Put your feelings where my mouth just went
At least you've put me on the team
And friends do rule supreme, OK
Oh, pardon you, me
With a capital 'see'
And who would have thought
With a capital nought?
In between the lines
Oh
Spread your chickens when you think of next
What the Dickens if they're highly-sexed?
Through channels that were once canals
Do lift the heart of my morale
To know that we are pals, yes
Oh, vanity fair
With a capital 'V'
You give me a share
You take it from me
Oh, jolly good show
With a capital 'O'
It's terrific to go
Hello
Hello, hello, hello
Hello, hello, hello
The song "Inbetweenies" by Ian Dury is an upbeat, playful song with slightly suggestive lyrics. In the first verse, Dury reflects on the importance of self-image and how it affects one's reactions to situations. He mentions Nancy, Leslie, Jack, and Joan, implying that these people are a part of his life, possibly friends or acquaintances. However, he also notes that he feels alone and dies when he's alone. This could be interpreted as a desire for companionship or a reflection on the importance of human connections.
In the second verse, Dury encourages listeners to dance and enjoy life, despite its serious nature. He mentions being put on a team and how friends rule supreme. This can be seen as a tribute to the importance of social connections and how they can bring joy even in difficult times. In the final verse, he talks about the pleasures of life, even the suggestive ones, and how they can uplift one's morale. He also notes that vanity and ego can come into play, but ultimately, it's great to just say hello and enjoy life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Inbetweenies" are somewhat cryptic and open to interpretation. However, the general message seems to be one of positivity and celebration of life, despite its ups and downs. Dury's use of wordplay and clever lyrics also adds to the song's charm.
Line by Line Meaning
In the mirror, when I'm debonair
I'm quite pleased with myself when I look in the mirror and think I'm looking debonair
My reactions are my own affair
My way of responding and reacting to things is completely personal to me and nobody else's business
A body likes to be near the bone
I believe that being thin is attractive, and my preference is evident in my body type
Oh Nancy, Leslie, Jack and Joan
I briefly mention a few people I know just for the sake of it
I die when I'm alone, alone
Being lonely makes me feel terrible and I don't want to be by myself
Shake your booty when your back is bent
Jive around and have a good time even when you're tired and feeling low
Put your feelings where my mouth just went
Express yourself and share your thoughts with me as I am an open-minded listener who welcomes your opinions
As serious as things do seem
Important things seem grave and somber at times
At least you've put me on the team
You've included me in the cause, which I appreciate and value
And friends do rule supreme, OK
Friendship is really important and friends have great power over my life
Oh, pardon you, me
I'm sorry, but also don't be too harsh on yourself - let's not worry about placing blame
With a capital 'see'
Referring to blaming someone/something using a serious tone or attitude
And who would have thought
It's surprising, isn't it?
With a capital nought?
Referring to nothing being the cause of our problem or error here, in a light-hearted way
In between the lines
There is meaning to be found in our conversation or problem that is not immediately apparent
Spread your chickens when you think of next
Spread your wings and try something new when thinking about what to do next
What the Dickens if they're highly-sexed?
Who cares if they are highly sexually active? It's not a big deal.
Through channels that were once canals
Through connections that have existed for a long time or through means that were previously functional
Do lift the heart of my morale
They definitely make me feel better and encourage me to keep going
To know that we are pals, yes
It's comforting that we are friends and we can rely on each other
Oh, vanity fair
Oh, life can be vain or unfair
With a capital 'V'
I'm talking about the concept of vanity or unfairness with seriousness
You give me a share
You let me partake in something or give me some of it
You take it from me
But someone/something can abruptly snatch it away from me just as easily
Oh, jolly good show
That's fantastic or that's exuberant
With a capital 'O'
I'm talking about something impressive or amazing with a sense of emphasis or gravity
It's terrific to go
It's fantastic to be out and about or to leave somewhere
Hello
Just saying hello
Hello, hello, hello
Multiple times of saying hello
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., HELENE BLUE MUSIQUE LTD
Written by: CHAZ JANKEL, IAN ROBINS DURY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Oliviacaptain
In the mirror, when I'm debonair
My reactions are my own affair
A body likes to be near the bone
Oh Nancy, Leslie, Jack and Joan
I die when I'm alone, alone
Shake your booty when your back is bent
Put your feelings where my mouth just went
As serious as things do seem
At least you've put me on the team
And friends do rule supreme, ok
Oh, pardon you, me
With a capital 'C'
And who would have thought
With a capital nought?
In between the lines
Ooohhhhhhhhhh
Spread your chickens when you think of next
What the Dickens if they're highly-sexed?
Through channels that were once canals
Do lift the heart of my morale
To know that we are pals, yes
Oh, vanity fair
With a capital 'V'
You give me a share
You take it from me
Oh, jolly good show
With a capital 'O'
It's terrific to go
Hellooo
Hello, hello, hello
Hello, hello, hello
@jimmyjimmy7532
Fantastic band of musicians. And a singer of true originality.
Brilliant
@gunproofgrandad4381
What really impresses me about this tune is, how full it is texturally; there's loads of things going on, but it doesn't sound too busy or cluttered - it's just right. All those tones mingling together and becoming more than the sum of their parts... Beautiful.
@jackthehatuk
I have to say that that is exactly how i would always sum up this legend and his band!
@pharcyde4943
THE BLOCKHEADS ARE FANTASTIC SESSION MUSICIANS
IAN IS WELL GOD!!
@TheArpomni2
Perfectly said
@kevinsonkevin3634
Something about having all of those fine ass musicians fronted by a mad-eyed fuck that knows a tune but doesn't care to follow it 100%. Never before, never again.
@kevinsonkevin3634
Oh. Trollerinis.
@jimmyjimmy7532
This is what you call being an original artist. Fantastic band of musicians with a legendary frontman
@saintrobski
The underrated Chaz Jankel. Such a massive talent.
@spltrcl
hell, yeah!