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.
This Is What We Find
Ian Dury and the Blockheads Lyrics
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He done him with a ten pound sledge
He done himself a favour *crash*
Forty year-old arse-wipe,
Mrs. Elizabeth Walker of Lambeth Walk
Had a husband who was jubblified
With only half a stalk
And curry powder sandwich,
Half a pound of uncut pork
Took an overdose of Omo,
This made the neighbours talk
Could have been watching Frankie Vaughan
On the telly and giving herself a scratch
This is what we find
This is what we find
This is what we find
A sense of humour is required
Amongst our bacon rind
Hello, Brian, wash and iron?
Try it on, it's only nylon
Single bachelor with little dog,
Tony Green of Turnham Green
Said, "Who's a clever boy, then, girl",
Yes you know whom I mean
'cause the mongrel laid a cable in the sandpit
Of the playground of the park
Where they had been
And with a bit of tissue,
He wiped its bum-hole clean
A bit of claggy on the waggy
This is what we find
This is what we find
This is what we find
I must have had a funny time
On the Golden Hind
O vanitas vanitatum
Which of us is happy in this life?
Which of us has our desire,
Or having it, is gratified?
Hello, Mrs. this boy looks familiar,
They used to call him Robin Hood
Now he's Robin fuck... shit... cunt...
Home improvement expert
Harold Hill of Harold Hill
Of do-it-yourself dexterity
And double-glazing skill
Came home to find another gentleman's kippers
In the grill
So sanded off his winkle
With his Black and Decker drill
This is what we find
This is what we find
This is what we find
The hope that springs eternal
Springs right up your behind
This is what we find
This is what we find
This is what we find
This is what we find
This is what we find
The lyrics of "This Is What We Find" by Ian Dury and the Blockheads are a vivid and humorous portrayal of everyday people and their odd, even bizarre tendencies. The song begins with a reference to the traditional English dish "meat and two veg" but quickly moves on to a story of violence, as someone uses a ten-pound sledgehammer to get rid of a problem. The lyrics then introduce Elizabeth Walker, whose husband can't satisfy her and takes an overdose in response. She eats a sandwich with curry powder and uncut pork, then takes Omo, which is a laundry detergent. The chorus then repeats the phrase "This is what we find" four times, emphasizing the absurdity of it all.
Another character introduced is Tony Green, who talks to his dog in a funny way, causing some raised eyebrows. The dog leaves a surprise in the playground sandbox, and Tony has to clean it up with some tissue. Then a man named Brian is mentioned, who wears nylon clothing and has a little dog that is referred to as a girl. The chorus repeats again before introducing a man named Harold Hill who catches another man cooking kippers on his grill. He takes revenge by using his power tools to "sanded off his winkle," which alludes to an obscene expression.
The narrative of the song falls into a pattern: introduce a person, describe their unusual habits or circumstances, and end the verse with a vaguely rhyming phrase. The chorus works to break up the verses and reinforce the idea that this kind of absurdity is commonplace. The song demonstrates Ian Dury's talent in his ability to craft clever lyrics that go beyond the typical themes found in popular music.
Line by Line Meaning
Oi, Reg, meat and two veg?
Hey, Reg, do you want food consisting of meat and two vegetables?
He done him with a ten pound sledge
He hit him with a ten pound hammer.
He done himself a favour *crash*
He was pleased with the result of his actions.
Forty year-old arse-wipe,
A derogatory term for someone who is forty years old.
Mrs. Elizabeth Walker of Lambeth Walk
A specific person from the Lambeth Walk area.
Had a husband who was jubblified
Had a husband who was disabled.
With only half a stalk
With only half a penis.
So she had a milk of magnesia
She tried a home remedy consisting of milk of magnesia.
And curry powder sandwich,
She ate a sandwich with curry powder.
Half a pound of uncut pork
She ate half a pound of uncut pork.
Took an overdose of Omo,
She took too much Omo, a brand of laundry detergent.
This made the neighbours talk
This caused the neighbors to gossip.
Could have been watching Frankie Vaughan
Maybe she was watching Frankie Vaughan on the television.
On the telly and giving herself a scratch
Watching TV while scratching herself.
This is what we find
These are the things that we discover.
A sense of humour is required
Being able to laugh about these things is important.
Amongst our bacon rind
Despite the unpleasantness, bacon is still enjoyable.
Hello, Brian, wash and iron?
Hello, Brian, do you want to wash and iron clothes?
Try it on, it's only nylon
This material is not high quality but still works.
Single bachelor with little dog,
A man who is unmarried and has a small dog.
Tony Green of Turnham Green
A specific person from Turnham Green area.
Said, "Who's a clever boy, then, girl",
Talking to his dog.
Yes you know whom I mean
Referring to the dog.
'cause the mongrel laid a cable in the sandpit
The dog defecated in the sandpit.
Of the playground of the park
In the playground of the park.
Where they had been
Where he and the dog had been playing.
And with a bit of tissue,
He used some tissue paper.
He wiped its bum-hole clean
He cleaned the dog's anus with tissue paper.
A bit of claggy on the waggy
There was still some feces stuck to the dog's fur.
O vanitas vanitatum
A Latin phrase meaning 'vanity of vanities'.
Which of us is happy in this life?
Which one of us is happy with our current lives?
Which of us has our desire,
Which one of us has achieved our desires?
Or having it, is gratified?
Or if we have achieved them, are we satisfied?
Hello, Mrs. this boy looks familiar,
Hello, Mrs. This boy seems like someone I know.
They used to call him Robin Hood
A reference to the mythical figure Robin Hood.
Now he's Robin fuck... shit... cunt...
A derogatory description of the former Robin Hood character.
Home improvement expert
A skilled person at home repairs and upgrades.
Harold Hill of Harold Hill
A specific person from Harold Hill area with same name.
Of do-it-yourself dexterity
Skillful at doing home repairs without professional help.
And double-glazing skill
Demonstrating comfort with a specific type of window installation.
Came home to find another gentleman's kippers
He found another man's fish in his home.
In the grill
In the portion of the stove for cooking.
So sanded off his winkle
He used sandpaper to remove his own penis.
With his Black and Decker drill
He used a power drill for this horrific act.
The hope that springs eternal
The enduring hope for a happy future.
Springs right up your behind
This hope is in your butt, or not real.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN ROBINS DURY, MICHAEL WILLIAM GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheBlazingDead
As a native Harold Hill-ian, its incredible to hear our little town getting a mention 😅
@adejaxon6350
I am still amazed at this mans talent after nearly 40 years no one has put lyrics together like Ian Dury, funny, poetic, satirical, imaginative and ultimately Brilliant...Ian Dury and the Blockheads have no equals in the music business. RIP and thanks for the upload.
@x.x.7646
Right you are.
@InceyWincey
Possibly Elvis Costello and Donald Fagan but they’re a bit different.
@pherrington13
Only one I know that matches Dury in brilliant satire is Frank Zappa.
@seandoyle8772
Dont forget Jake Thackray
But still love Dury
@timhancock6626
Ian Dury and the Blockheads hit the zeitgeist right between the eyes. Wern't they just great !
@janeparfitt65
Genius..My heart at the age of 12.Love you still..R.I.P Ian Dury xxx
@TINYS1
Came home to find another gentleman's kippers in the grill so he sanded of his winkle with his black & decker drill…..Lyrical masterpiece,broke the mould when creating Ian Dury
@jafar4marva
Something brought this song into my head so here I am paying a visit to 45 odd years ago and it is still fun.
In fact the whole song is a comedic lyrical masterpiece. Home improvement expert... of do it yourseld dexterity and double glazing skill.
Its glorious. Gilbert and Sillivan meet Spike Milligan.
But no Ian Dury was in a class of his own when it came to writing these absurdly funny and strangely poignant ditties.
What a waste is another favourite..and lets give credit to the amazing collaboration with the Blockheads band to bring the words musical life