… 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.
Lonely
Ian Dury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
your mind is busy with distractions of it's own
my imminent departure is the flavour of the evening
you lent me a welcome; i paid interest on the loan
your downward glance - a punishment for errant little foibles
the things that make us human are unpleasent to your taste
each drooping lash has cut me with barbed insinuations
so fond farewell from corny clown
i'm going back to lonley town
were people weep and others frown
empty lives can tumble down
in lonely town
lonely town
lonely town
lonely town
a broken shadow of a man that you ignore before you
once drove the streets of London like leaopard on the prowl
the virus that destroyed the youth, the fool who would adore you
will take me where the air is grey, the atmosphere is foul
so best of luck and all the rest
i'm going back to lonley town
where good is bad, worse is best
empty lives can tumble down
in lonely town
lonely town
lonely town
so fond farewell from corny clown
i'm going back to lonley town
were people weep and others frown
empty lives can tumble down
in lonely town
lonely town
lonely town
lonely town
The lyrics to Ian Dury's song "Lonely" paint a vivid picture of a relationship coming to an end. The singer appears to be in a one-sided relationship where their partner is preoccupied with their own distractions, leaving the singer feeling unwanted and unimportant. The mention of the "screen of your own choosing" suggests that the partner may be addicted to technology, choosing their phone or computer over spending time with their significant other.
The singer also describes feeling punished for their "errant little foibles" and laments that the things that make us human are unpleasant to the partner's taste. This suggests that the partner may have unrealistic expectations or may not be accepting of the singer's flaws and imperfections. The mention of the barbed insinuations cutting the singer is particularly poignant, suggesting that the partner's criticism is hurtful and damaging.
The chorus, with its repetition of "Lonely town," reinforces the singer's feelings of isolation and desperation. The singer paints a picture of a bleak and empty place where people weep and others frown. The mention of the singer's "savings" suggests that they may have tried to buy their way into the partner's affections, to no avail. Finally, the singer acknowledges that they are a "corny clown," an outsider and a misfit in this world where superficiality and appearances may be valued over genuine connection.
Overall, "Lonely" is a poignant and melancholy portrait of a relationship breaking down due to a lack of intimacy and emotional connection. The singer paints a picture of a world where people are disconnected and isolated, unable to connect on a deeper level.
Line by Line Meaning
your eyes are focused on a screen of your own choosing
You are preoccupied with your own interests.
your mind is busy with distractions of it's own
You are lost in your own thoughts and concerns.
my imminent departure is the flavour of the evening
Everyone is discussing my upcoming departure from your life.
you lent me a welcome; i paid interest on the loan
You allowed me into your life, but I had to work hard to maintain my place.
your downward glance - a punishment for errant little foibles
You criticize me for minor mistakes and flaws.
the things that make us human are unpleasent to your taste
You do not appreciate or tolerate human imperfections and weaknesses.
each drooping lash has cut me with barbed insinuations
Your disapproving looks and comments have hurt me.
i plundered all my savings in hopes that you're displaces
I wasted my money trying to win your affection and now regret it.
so fond farewell from corny clown
I am saying goodbye as a foolish and unoriginal person.
i'm going back to lonley town
I am returning to a place of isolation and sadness.
were people weep and others frown
The atmosphere in my lonely town is one of sorrow and misery.
empty lives can tumble down
Life without connection or meaning can lead to despair.
a broken shadow of a man that you ignore before you
You do not see me as a complete or valuable person.
once drove the streets of London like leaopard on the prowl
I used to be confident and lively, like a hunting leopard.
the virus that destroyed the youth, the fool who would adore you
The disease of age has weakened me, and I was foolish to admire you.
will take me where the air is grey, the atmosphere is foul
My loneliness and despair will consume me in a bleak and unpleasant place.
so best of luck and all the rest
Wishing you well for the future.
i'm going back to lonley town
Returning to the desolate and sad place I came from.
where good is bad, worse is best
In my lonely town, the standards for good and bad are reversed.
empty lives can tumble down
Life without connection or meaning can lead to despair.
in lonely town
The location and condition of emptiness and isolation.
lonely town
The repeated focus on the place that represents emptiness and isolation in the song.
lonely town
The repeated focus on the place that represents emptiness and isolation in the song.
lonely town
The repeated focus on the place that represents emptiness and isolation in the song.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Croft
Just dug a tape out recently with Lord Upminster recorded on it, which I've had since the 80's.
'The broken shadow of a man that you ignore before you, once strode the streets of London like a leopard on the prowl'
The poetry and imagery in the lyrics is just magic; another masterpiece being 'You can beat my body but you'll never read my books'.
A truly exceptional writer.
Debstar Divine
Would you please upload more from Lord Upminster if you have all the tracks? I love Red Letter especially :) Thanks for this!
RODS
Yep upload the complete album please!
TerryTeadreg
Love the piano solo! The lyrics remind me of someone I know but not particularly like...
boris blade
a great album
aSmallDogFartin
cracking track,cracking album!
00trol07
One of my fav Ian Dury albums - and not widely known. It's a shame...
N Z
good song! i like"Girls Watching"