… 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.
Spasticus
Ian Dury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I wibble when I piddle
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I dribble when I nibble
And I quibble when I scribble
Hello to you out there in Normal Land
You may not comprehend my tale or understand
As I crawl past your window give me lucky looks
You can be my body but you'll never read my books
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm knobbled on the cobbles
'cause I hobble when I wobble
Swim!
So place your hard-earned peanuts in my tin
And thank the Creator you're not in the state I'm in
So long have I been languished on the shelf
I must give all proceedings to myself
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
54 appliances in leather and elastic
100 000 thank yous from 27 spastics
Spasticus, spasticus
Spasticus autisticus
Spasticus, spasticus
Spasticus autisticus
Spasticus, spasticus
Spasticus autisticus
Widdling, griddling, skittling, diddling,
fiddling, diddling, widd
The Ian Dury song "Spasticus" is a powerful piece of artistry that speaks to the experiences of individuals in society with disabilities. The repeated use of "I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus autisticus" highlights the consistent use of labels and derogatory language by people who do not understand the experiences of the disabled. Dury addresses the lack of empathy and understanding from those who do not experience the daily challenges of living with disabilities, with lyrics like "Hello to you out there in Normal Land / You may not comprehend my tale or understand." The lyrics also reference the frustration and anger felt by disabled individuals who are often disregarded and overlooked by society, but are not to be pitied or underestimated.
The song's repetitive chorus and nonsensical lyrics highlight the profound difficulty to communicate with others for those who are differently abled. Dury uses metaphors like "knobbled on the cobbles" to describe the physical struggle of those who are disabled. The lines "I wibble when I piddle / 'cause my middle is a riddle" express the frustration of a body that does not seem to work the way it should, emphasizing the constant struggle of those who live with disabilities. Rather than being tragic or pitiable, however, the song highlights the power and strength of those who forge on despite societal stigmas and obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
The singer is introducing themselves as someone with a disability
I'm spasticus autisticus
The singer specifically has autism
I wibble when I piddle
The singer undergoes physical trembles when they urinate
'cause my middle is a riddle
The cause of the artist's physical trembles while urinating is unknown
I dribble when I nibble
The artist drools while eating or drinking
And I quibble when I scribble
The singer has difficulty writing, possibly due to poor fine motor skills from their disability
Hello to you out there in Normal Land
The singer is addressing the non-disabled population as 'normal'
You may not comprehend my tale or understand
The artist anticipates that typical people will not be able to relate to their experiences
As I crawl past your window give me lucky looks
The artist is relegated to crawling because of their disability, but wishes for people's positive attention
You can be my body but you'll never read my books
Others can share experiences of the artist's body, but not their own unique perspective
I'm knobbled on the cobbles
The singer is physically impaired on rough surfaces
'cause I hobble when I wobble
The artist walks with an uneven, unsteady gait
Swim!
A non-sequitur, potentially unrelated command to swim
So place your hard-earned peanuts in my tin
The singer is asking for money
And thank the Creator you're not in the state I'm in
The singer suggests that their disability is a difficult state to be in
So long have I been languished on the shelf
The artist feels neglected or overlooked by society at large
I must give all proceedings to myself
The artist is taking control and ownership over their own life and experiences
54 appliances in leather and elastic
An unclear reference to a large number of objects made of these materials
100 000 thank yous from 27 spastics
A reference to a hypothetical group of people with disabilities thanking the public for their support
Widdling, griddling, skittling, diddling, fiddling, diddling, widdling, diddling
A list of verb-like words with unclear meaning or significance
Spasticus, spasticus
Repetition of the artist's self-proclaimed title
Spasticus autisticus
Reiteration of the artist's specific disability
Spasticus, spasticus
Again, repetition of the singer's title
Spasticus autisticus
Yet again, emphasis on the artist's autism
Spasticus, spasticus
Once more, repetition of the singer's title
Spasticus autisticus
Emphasizing that the singer's disability is a significant aspect of their identity
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: IAN DURY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iancolthart6676
As an autistic individual, after a while I just got tired of trying to mask and please everyone. I love this song because it gives me the freedom to truly be myself
@jezza10181
I have been diagnosed autistic myself & also love this lol
@iancolthart6676
@@illllllillilliillll3189 cool! puts on shades
@janskeet1382
Iβm sorry. I donβt normally swear but. βFUCKING A!β He nails it. He owns it. Itβs art. He know how to express authentic pain. Fuck me, I know authentic pain.
@tago69mago
Couldn't have put it better!
@acropolisnow9466
Aside from the fact that the whole thing was groundbreaking, the playing on this track is absolutely top notch. That guitar sounds fucking awesome...
@Warpedsmac
Have a listen to the live version of Rhythm Stick...that bass guitar..holy moly!!!
@jdee8267
Yep one of my favourite rhythm parts, Chaz Jankel with sly/Robbie laying down the beat
@ChrisSmith-vw1zf
I've got adhd it's caused ne depression and I've lost jobs because of it ,bullied at school lost relationships because of it .
Was put into care in the early 89s because of it ....
Ian Dury is a total fucking hero.
@robertrobinson9808
Anyone who can write a song like this whilst being disabled themselves is a genius .
All respect Mr Dury .