The band started when frontman Dury (born in Upminster, Essex, United Kingdom on 12 May 1942 and died 27 March 2000), had a chance encounter in a musical instrument hire shop with guitarist Chaz Jankel. Jankel took Dury's lyrics, fashioned a number of songs, and they began recording with drummer Charley Charles, bassist Norman Watt-Roy and the former Kilburns saxophonist Davey Payne. An album was completed, but major record labels passed on the band. However, next door to Dury's manager's office was the newly formed Stiff Records, a perfect home for Dury's maverick style. The classic single "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll", marked Dury's Stiff debut and this was swiftly followed by an album. titled 'New Boots and Panties', which was to eventually achieve platinum status.
It wasn't until October 1977 that Dury and his band started to go out as Ian Dury and the Blockheads, when the band signed up for the Stiff "Live Stiffs Tour" alongside Elvis Costello And The Attractions, Nick Lowe, Wreckless Eric and Larry Wallis. The tour was a success and Stiff launched a concerted Ian Dury marketing campaign, resulting in the Top Ten hit What a Waste and the classic UK number one Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick. The band toured to great acclaim throughout Europe.
The band's second album Do It Yourself was released in June 1979 in a Barney Bubbles-designed sleeve of which there were over a dozen variations, all based on samples from the Crown wallpaper catalogue. Another top ten single, Reasons to be Cheerful, kept Dury in the public eye.
In 1980 Jankel left The Blockheads to concentrate on a solo career and was replaced by former Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson, who also contributed to the next album Laughter and its two minor hit singles.
Ian Dury And The Blockheads disbanded in 1981 after Dury secured a new recording deal with Polydor Records through A&R man Frank Neilson, choosing to work with a group of young musicians which he named The Music Students and recorded the album Four Thousand Weeks' Holiday. This album marked a departure from his usual style and was not as well received by fans for its American jazz influence.
The Blockheads reformed several times before Ian Dury's death, most notably to play a series of benefit concerts for Charley Charles.
Dance Of The Screamers
Ian Dury and the Blockheads Lyrics
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"waaaaaaagh"
From the last place in the queue
"waaah, waaah"
I really think you'd like me
Given half a chance
But since we ain't got that
I'll do the Screamers Dance
Some of us are ugly, angel,
Some of us are only small
Some of us are useless, sailor,
They haven't got the where-with-all
We went and missed the ending, babe
We never quite caught the bus
We never speak our minds, my love
We ain't got nothing to discuss
Some of us are useless, love
It comes from facing up to facts
It's hard to be a hero, handsome
When you've had your helmet cracked
Cheerfulness is catching, sweetie
When the fevers you have got
We've got a temperature, my dear
But we simply haven't got the hots
So I'm screaming this to you
"waaaaaaagh"
Silly season, skies are blue
"waah, waah, waah"
I hardly ever think,
I've made a small advance
I keep my elbows in and do
The Screamers Dance
DANCE!!!
Waw!
Some of us are stupid, sister
Some of us are very shy
Some of us get nervous, chicken
When you look us in the eye
We're ever so pathetic, chicky
We know quite well that we try too hard
Some of us were born like this
While others got it by the yard
So I'm screaming this to you
"waaaaaaauugh"
Coz' I haven't got a clue
"waaarrh"
I really think I'd like you
Given half the chance
As we ain't got that
I'll do the Screamers Dance
"Waaaaaaagh, waaaaaaagh
Waaaaaaagh, waaaaaaagh
Waaaaaaagh"
The lyrics of "Dance Of The Screamers" by Ian Dury and the Blockheads are all about feeling like an outcast and not being able to connect with others. The singer in the song is at the back of the queue, feeling ignored, and is essentially saying "look at me! I'm different, but I'm still worthy of attention!" They believe that if only they were given a chance to prove themselves, they would be liked. However, since they can't seem to catch a break, they resort to the "Screamers Dance," which is just a way to release their pent-up frustration and show the world that they exist.
The song goes on to describe the different types of people who feel like they don't fit in. Some are ugly, some are useless, some are stupid, and some are shy - but they all share a sense of hopelessness and isolation. The lyrics suggest that trying to be a hero or putting on a brave face doesn't necessarily make life any easier. The only thing that seems to help is being cheerful, but even that can be hard to muster when you feel like you're constantly getting the short end of the stick.
Ultimately, "Dance Of The Screamers" is a song about feeling like an outsider and the frustration that comes with that. It's a rallying cry for anyone who's ever been made to feel invisible or insignificant.
Line by Line Meaning
So I'm screaming this to you
The singer is loudly conveying their message to the listener.
"waaaaaaagh"
The singer is mimicking a scream to emphasize their message.
From the last place in the queue
The singer is in a disadvantaged position compared to the listener.
"waaah, waaah"
The artist is continuing to mimic screams to emphasize their message.
I really think you'd like me
The artist believes the listener would have a positive opinion of them.
Given half a chance
The singer believes they have not been given a fair opportunity yet.
But since we ain't got that
The singer recognizes that opportunities may be limited or nonexistent.
I'll do the Screamers Dance
The artist will express themselves through an outlet, despite limited opportunities in other areas.
Some of us are ugly, angel,
Some people are physically unattractive and imperfect, despite being referred to affectionately by the artist.
Some of us are only small
Some people are physically small, potentially a disadvantage in certain situations.
Some of us are useless, sailor,
Some people are unskilled or lack the necessary resources, despite being referred to affectionately by the singer.
They haven't got the where-with-all
They lack the necessary skills or resources to accomplish certain tasks.
We went and missed the ending, babe
The singer and others missed something important or significant.
We never quite caught the bus
The singer and others never quite made it in time to something important or significant.
We never speak our minds, my love
The singer and others are not open or expressive about their thoughts and feelings.
We ain't got nothing to discuss
There is a lack of significant conversation or communication.
Some of us are useless, love
There are people who are unskilled or lack the necessary resources.
It comes from facing up to facts
The singer acknowledges that their disadvantage is based in reality.
It's hard to be a hero, handsome
It is difficult to be successful or accomplishing while being physically attractive.
When you've had your helmet cracked
When you have experienced defeat or failure.
Cheerfulness is catching, sweetie
Positive energy can be contagious.
When the fevers you have got
During times of heightened emotion or passion.
We've got a temperature, my dear
The singer and others are emotionally charged or passionate.
But we simply haven't got the hots
The artist and others are not sexually attracted or aroused.
"Silly season, skies are blue
The singer is acknowledging their current reality.
"waah, waah, waah"
The singer is continuing to mimic screams to emphasize their message.
I hardly ever think,
The singer doesn't think too deeply about things.
I've made a small advance
The artist has made a small amount of progress.
I keep my elbows in and do
The artist is trying to succeed while working within their limitations.
The Screamers Dance
The singer will express themselves through an outlet, despite limitations and setbacks.
DANCE!!!
The singer is issuing a command to dance, likely for catharsis or expression.
Waw!
The artist is expressing surprise or amazement.
Some of us are stupid, sister
Some people are unintelligent, despite being referred to affectionately by the artist.
Some of us are very shy
Some people are socially anxious or introverted.
Some of us get nervous, chicken
Some people get anxious or stressed, despite being referred to affectionately by the singer.
When you look us in the eye
When someone confronts or communicates with the artist.
We're ever so pathetic, chicky
The singer and others are self-deprecating.
We know quite well that we try too hard
The singer and others are aware that they put in too much effort without seeing results.
Some of us were born like this
Some people are naturally prone to certain traits or limitations.
While others got it by the yard
Others have acquired certain traits or limitations through circumstances or experiences.
"waaaaaaauugh"
The artist is continuing to mimic screams to emphasize their message, with a different tone.
Coz' I haven't got a clue
The singer is admitting that they don't know something.
"waaarrh"
The singer is continuing to mimic screams to emphasize their message, with a different tone.
I really think I'd like you
The artist believes they would have a positive opinion of the listener.
As we ain't got that
The artist recognizes that opportunities may be limited or nonexistent.
I'll do the Screamers Dance
The artist will express themselves through an outlet, despite limited opportunities in other areas.
"Waaaaaaagh, waaaaaaagh
Waaaaaaagh, waaaaaaagh
Waaaaaaagh"
The singer is continuing to mimic screams to emphasize their message, with a repeated pattern.
Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAS JANKEL, IAN DURY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind