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.
Sex
Ian Dury and the Blockheads Lyrics
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Is all my brain and body need
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Are very good indeed
Keep your silly ways or throw them out the window
The wisdom of your ways, I've been there and I know
Lots of other ways, what a jolly bad show
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Is very good indeed
Every bit of clothing ought to make you pretty
You can cut the clothing, grey is such a pity
I should wear the clothing of Mr. Walter Mitty
See my tailor, he's called Simon, I know it's going to fit
Here's a little piece of advice
You're quite welcome it is free
Don't do nothing that is cut price
You know what that'll make you be
They will try their tricky device
Trap you with the ordinary
Get your teeth into a small slice
The cake of liberty
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex, drugs, rock, roll
Sex, drugs, rock, roll
The lyrics to Ian Dury's "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll" are a rebellious and catchy ode to hedonism, advocating for a life filled with pleasure and entertainment. Dury sings that sex, drugs, and rock and roll are all his brain and body need, and that they are indeed very good. He urges listeners to throw out their "silly ways" and embrace this lifestyle.
Dury is critical of conformity and warns against falling into the trap of "business" and doing things you don't like. He encourages individuality and self-expression, suggesting that clothing should make one feel pretty and that personal tailoring is important. He also advises against pursuing cut-price deals and getting trapped in the ordinary, urging listeners to embrace the cake of liberty.
Line by Line Meaning
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
I have an insatiable desire for sex, drugs and rock and roll music. These things provide me with the ultimate satisfaction and fulfilment.
Is all my brain and body need
The aforementioned desires completely consume me mentally and physically, to the point where nothing else seems important or necessary.
Are very good indeed
These desires bring me immense pleasure and happiness, and I cannot imagine a life without them.
Keep your silly ways or throw them out the window
I have no interest in conforming to societal norms or expectations. I reject all conventional beliefs and behaviours that do not align with my personal desires and interests.
The wisdom of your ways, I've been there and I know
I have tried and tested conventional ways of living life, but I have found them to be unsatisfying and unfulfilling. Therefore, I am confident in my decision to reject them.
Lots of other ways, what a jolly bad show
There may be other ways of living life that are not conventional, but I do not believe they are any better than the ways I have chosen to live my life.
If all you ever do is business you don't like
If you spend your life doing things that do not bring you joy or fulfilment, then what is the point? It is better to do what makes you happy and satisfied, even if it is not conventional or profitable.
Every bit of clothing ought to make you pretty
I believe that everything you wear should be aesthetically pleasing and visually appealing.
You can cut the clothing, gray is such a pity
Wearing drab and uninspiring clothing is a waste. It is better to cut clothing and create something unique and visually striking.
I should wear the clothing of Mr. Walter Mitty
I would like to wear clothing that represents my imagination and creativity, much like the character of Mr. Walter Mitty, who has a vivid imagination and often daydreams.
See my tailor, he's called Simon, I know it's going to fit
I have a trusted tailor named Simon who can create clothing that fits me perfectly and reflects my unique style and personality.
Here's a little piece of advice
I have some advice to share with you.
You're quite welcome it is free
My advice will not cost you anything.
Don't do nothing that is cut price
Do not settle for anything that is cheap or low-quality. Always aim for the best quality possible.
You know what that'll make you be
Settling for low-quality items or experiences will reflect poorly on you and can negatively impact your life and reputation.
They will try their tricky device
People will try to manipulate and deceive you.
Trap you with the ordinary
They will try to convince you that the conventional way of life is the only way, and that anything else is wrong or unacceptable.
Get your teeth into a small slice
They will try to lure you in with small, insignificant things that seem appealing at first but provide no real value or satisfaction.
The cake of liberty
True freedom and satisfaction is only achieved by indulging in your personal desires and rejecting the limitations placed on you by society and conventional expectations.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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@chunksis2
In my 70th year I have done all 3 !! But miss this man 😢
@baxatakbaxatak2014
Dury, Zappa, and Tom Waits touring together would have been the wildest and weirdest concert ever.
@jackspry9736
RIP Ian Dury (May 12, 1942 – March 27, 2000), aged 57
You will be remembered as a legend.
@valuecalc
Jack, it would be amazing if he were still alive at 80.
@jackspry9736
@@valuecalc Indeed mate.
@valuecalc
@@jackspry9736, and he did generate controversy, and he'd have continued it through the years had he lived longer.
@nibrasge6375
Jack Spry=Facts
@kyrastube
57 really is no age to go. Not at all.
@janeparfitt65
He was incredibly talented, I've adored him ever since I was a schoolgirl. Pure genius.
@MagereHein
Je t'adore, ich liebe dich!