… 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.
The Right People
Ian Dury Lyrics
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But I got done for everything I took
There's people who could keep you out of schtuck
But you've had it if you don't know where to look
People think it's easy being a thief
But all my majoir tickles came to grief
The only way your talent is revealed
It's hard to find the right people
It's hard to find the right people
It's hard to find the right people
People think you've only got to ask
Turn up with your crowbar and your mask
"Good morning, I'm a burglar. What's the haps?"
Well, you've had it if you haven't met the chaps
It's hard to find the right people
It's hard to find the right people
It's hard to find the right people
It's hard to find the right people
It's hard to find the right people
It's hard to find the right people
It's hard to find the right people...
In the song "The Right People" by Ian Dury, the singer is reflecting on their life as a criminal and the challenges they faced in finding the right people to work with. The lyrics suggest that being a criminal is not as easy as some might think, as finding reliable allies and avoiding getting caught can be difficult. The singer admits to getting caught for everything they took, and suggests that having the right connections can make all the difference in avoiding legal trouble.
The singer emphasizes the importance of working with the top people in the field, suggesting that the only way to truly showcase one's criminal talent is by collaborating with experts. The song suggests that there is a certain level of skill required to be a successful criminal, and that working with other skilled individuals can enhance one's chances of success. However, the caveat is that finding the right people is challenging, and without connections and knowledge of the "chaps", one is doomed to fail.
Overall, the song seems to be a satirical take on the criminal world, highlighting the challenges and intricacies involved in being a successful criminal. The lyrics suggest that it takes more than just being daring or clever to pull off a heist – it also requires a strong network of connections and the ability to work with other experts in the field.
Line by Line Meaning
People think it's easy being a crook
Some people assume that being a criminal is easy
But I got done for everything I took
I was caught and punished for all the crimes I committed
There's people who could keep you out of schtuck
There are individuals who can help you stay out of trouble
But you've had it if you don't know where to look
You're in trouble if you don't know where to find these helpful people
People think it's easy being a thief
Some people assume that stealing is simple
But all my majoir tickles came to grief
All of my significant thefts ended in disaster
The only way your talent is revealed
You can only showcase your skills by working with skilled people
Is working with the top men in their field
That means working with experts in the field
People think you've only got to ask
Some people believe that burglary just requires asking for it
Turn up with your crowbar and your mask
Just show up with the basic tools for burgling
"Good morning, I'm a burglar. What's the haps?"
"Hello, I'm a burglar. What's the situation?"
Well, you've had it if you haven't met the chaps
But you're in trouble if you haven't yet met the right people to help you
It's hard to find the right people
It is challenging to find the appropriate individuals to help with criminal endeavors
It's hard to find the right people
It is difficult to locate the right people to assist with criminal activity
It's hard to find the right people
It is not easy to find trustworthy criminal accomplices
It's hard to find the right people
Finding the most reliable, skillful criminal partners is a challenge
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.