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.
Uneasy Sunny Day Hotsy Totsy
Ian Dury and the Blockheads Lyrics
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Withhold hold the rent
Shitters are a wank
And the landlord's bent
It's time that the ladies kept quiet
No it ain't
Open up the nicks
The law is a prick
Not fit to write the rules
It's time that the ladies kept quiet
No, they're cool
Time that the ladies kept quiet
No it isn't, don't be silly
Uneasy sunny day hotsy totsy
Uneasy hotsy totsy Sonny Jim
Question your besotment
With a manky job
Squat on your alloment
For thirty bob
It's time that the ladies kept quiet
Shut your gob!
Melt the guns
Dismantle the bombs
Love your neighbour
Wherever they're from
It's time that the ladies kept quiet
Up your bum!
Time that the ladies kept quiet
No it isn't, don't be silly
Uneasy sunny day hotsy totsy
Uneasy hotsy totsy Sonny Jim
London going junkie
Young and full of spunky
Don't care what you tell us
Old and fat and jealous
Uneasy hotsy totsy sunny day
Pills for fun
Damn the news
Different choice
Different things to choose
It's time that the ladies kept quiet
Drink your booze!
Time that the ladies kept quiet
No it isn't, don't be daft
Uneasy sunny day hotsy totsy
Uneasy hotsy totsy sunny
Uneasy sunny day hotsy totsy
Uneasy hotsy totsy porkie pies!
The lyrics of "Uneasy Sunny Day Hostsy Totsy" by Ian Dury and the Blockheads are a satirical critique of society, specifically the government, landlords, banks, and the patriarchy. The opening line, "Bankrupt the banks, withhold the rent," points to the financial struggles that many face and calls for a rebellion against those in power. The lyrics "Shitters are a wank, and the landlord's bent" convey the frustration with landlords who exploit renters, and the patriarchy is also critiqued with the line "It's time that the ladies kept quiet, no it ain't" as the song challenges the idea that women should be silenced and not speak out against injustice.
The song also touches on issues of education, the legal system, and arms control. The line "Close down the schools, the law is a prick, not fit to write the rules" expresses the mistrust in the authority figures and systems that are supposed to provide education and justice. "Melt the guns, dismantle the bombs, love your neighbor, wherever they're from" suggests a peaceful solution to conflicts and a more compassionate approach to others. Overall, the song calls for change and encourages listeners to question and resist oppressive systems.
Line by Line Meaning
Bankrupt the banks
We should cause the financial collapse of banks
Withhold hold the rent
We should refuse to pay rent
Shitters are a wank
The police are useless
And the landlord's bent
The landlord is corrupt
It's time that the ladies kept quiet
Women should stop speaking up
No it ain't
Actually, that's not true
Open up the nicks
We should release prisoners from jail
Close down the schools
Education is unnecessary
The law is a prick
The legal system is unfair
Not fit to write the rules
The people in power are not qualified to make decisions
No, they're cool
Actually, women should continue to speak up
Question your besotment
Reconsider your infatuation with something
With a manky job
Working a bad job
Squat on your alloment
Farm on a small piece of land
For thirty bob
For very little pay
Shut your gob!
Stop talking
Melt the guns
Destroy all weapons
Dismantle the bombs
Take apart all explosives
Love your neighbour
Treat others with kindness
Wherever they're from
Regardless of their background
Up your bum!
Disregard the notion that women should keep quiet
London going junkie
London is becoming overrun with drug addicts
Young and full of spunky
Youthful and energetic
Don't care what you tell us
We don't care what you say
Old and fat and jealous
Our adversaries are old, overweight, and envious
Pills for fun
Using drugs recreationally
Damn the news
Ignore the media
Different choice
Pursuing a different path
Different things to choose
New opportunities
Drink your booze!
Continue to enjoy alcohol despite what others say
No it isn't, don't be daft
Actually, women should continue to speak up
Uneasy sunny day hotsy totsy
A beautiful day that's uneasy for societal reasons
Uneasy hotsy totsy Sonny Jim
A playful invitation to enjoy the uneasy day
Uneasy hotsy totsy sunny
Continuing to describe the uneasy yet beautiful day
Uneasy sunny day hotsy totsy
The strange juxtaposition of a sunny day and societal ills
Uneasy hotsy totsy porkie pies!
A final playful jab at those trying to make us be quiet
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN ROBINS DURY, JOHN GEORGE TURNBULL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind