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 & Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll
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
Ian Dury’s “Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll” is a rebellious song about the three vices of life; sex, drugs and rock & roll. The song celebrates the freedom of expression and promotes individuality, mocking the traditional values of society. The lyrics speak of how sex, drugs and rock & roll are all that one needs for their mind and body. Dury emphasizes the importance of these vices in a person’s life, claiming that they are “very good indeed”.
The song also discusses the conventional ways of the world and how they should be disregarded. Dury encourages listeners to throw away their “silly ways” and the “wisdom of their ways” as he has been there and done it before. The lyrics suggest that there are other, more fun ways to live life rather than just constantly being consumed by business.
Dury also touches upon the importance of looking good and dressing well. He implies that clothing should make one feel pretty, and that one should steer clear of grey and mundane items. The song also features a piece of advice for listeners, not to engage in anything that is “cut price”, as it will reduce them to being ordinary.
Line by Line Meaning
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
These are the things that my mind and body crave
Is all my brain and body need
I can't function without these things
Are very good indeed
They bring me pleasure and satisfaction
Keep your silly ways or throw them out the window
I don't care for your impractical methods and ideas
The wisdom of your ways, I've been there and I know
I've tried your ways and they don't work for me
Lots of other ways, what a jolly bad show
There are many other options, but they all seem unappealing
If all you ever do is business you don't like
If all you do is work in a job you hate
Every bit of clothing ought to make you pretty
Your clothes should enhance your appearance
You can cut the clothing, grey is such a pity
Don't settle for boring and plain clothes
I should wear the clothing of Mr. Walter Mitty
I want to dress like a stylish and confident person
See my tailor, he's called Simon, I know it's going to fit
I trust my tailor Simon to make sure my clothes fit properly
Here's a little piece of advice
I want to share some wisdom with you
You're quite welcome it is free
I won't charge you for this advice
Don't do nothing that is cut price
Don't settle for low quality or cheap things
You know what that'll make you be
It will bring you down and diminish your worth
They will try their tricky device
Others will attempt to deceive you with their cunning methods
Trap you with the ordinary
They will try to convince you that the norm is the only option
Get your teeth into a small slice
They want you to settle for less
The cake of liberty
The freedom to choose and live life as you please
Sex, drugs, rock, roll
These are the things I want in my life
Sex, drugs, rock, roll
I can't get enough of these things
Sex, drugs, rock, roll
These are the things that bring me joy and fulfillment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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!