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.
Lullaby for Francies
Ian Dury and the Blockheads Lyrics
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You've done all you can with the day
Safe and sound now, that's a promise
You'll be welcome in the milky way
Tumble down, tired and true
Spirit to restore, a balance is due
Go to sleep now Francies, close your eyes
Hang your thoughts up, shut the index
It's time to impose a curfew
And you'll get up fresh and ready
With a hundred and one things to do
Drowsy now, here comes a space
Call a halt to the steeple chase
Go to sleep Francies, close your eyes
If your life or some old lover cause concern
Or puzzle or perturb
The more you discover, the more you learn
Go to sleep now
Please do not disturb
Tumble down, tired and true
Spirit to restore, a balance is due
Go to sleep now, Frances
Close your eyes
Go to sleep now, Francies
Close your eyes
Go to sleep now, Francies
Go to sleep, Francies, Francies
The lyrics to Ian Dury and the Blockheads' song Lullaby for Francies are an ode to rest and relaxation. The song urges the listener, Francies, to let go of the worries of the day and to give in to slumber. The opening lines “Go to sleep now Francies/You've done all you can with the day” indicate that it is time to let go of the day's worries and stresses and to rest easy, knowing that a new day awaits.
The song continues with a message of renewal and rejuvenation. Dury sings “Tumble down, tired and true/Spirit to restore, a balance is due,” that encourages the listener to let their spirit rest and recharge. The importance of rest is also emphasized by lines such as “Hang your thoughts up, shut the index/It's time to impose a curfew” which suggest that it is time to switch off from the world and let the worries and anxieties of work and daily life fade away. The final lines of the song “Tumble down, tired and true/Spirit to restore, a balance is due/Go to sleep now, Frances/Close your eyes” indicate that sleep is the key to renewing the spirit and finding balance.
Overall, Lullaby for Francies is a soothing and calming song that encourages the listener to let go of their worries and embrace rest.
Line by Line Meaning
Go to sleep now Francies
It's time to go to bed, Francies.
You've done all you can with the day
You've done everything you need to do today.
Safe and sound now, that's a promise
You can rest assured that you'll be safe and secure.
You'll be welcome in the milky way
You'll be able to enter a place of peace and serenity.
Tumble down, tired and true
You're feeling worn out and weary.
Spirit to restore, a balance is due
Your body and spirit need to rest and rejuvenate.
Go to sleep now Francies, close your eyes
It's time to go to bed and fall asleep, Francies.
Hang your thoughts up, shut the index
Stop thinking about everything and let your mind rest.
It's time to impose a curfew
Set a limit for yourself and stick to it.
And you'll get up fresh and ready
After a good night's sleep, you'll wake up feeling refreshed and alert.
With a hundred and one things to do
You'll have plenty of energy and motivation to tackle all the tasks ahead of you.
Drowsy now, here comes a space
You're starting to feel sleepy and can sense a peaceful space around you.
Call a halt to the steeple chase
Stop chasing after things and take a break.
If your life or some old lover cause concern
If you're troubled by problems in your life or past relationships,
Or puzzle or perturb
If you're confused or upset about something,
The more you discover, the more you learn
The more you try to figure it out, the more insight you'll gain.
Go to sleep now, please do not disturb
It's important to avoid any distractions that might keep you from getting a good night's rest.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES JEREMY JANKEL, IAN ROBINS DURY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind