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.
Waiting For Your Taxi
Ian Dury and the Blockheads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for your taxi
Which taxi never comes
Waiting for your taxi
Ian Dury and the Blockheads' song "Waiting For Your Taxi" is a commentary on the frustration and futility of waiting for something that may never come. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this idea, as the singer spends what feels like an interminable amount of time waiting for a taxi that never arrives. The situation exemplifies the futility of human existence - the idea that we can plan and prepare, but ultimately have no control over the way that events unfold.
The song's lyrics also touch on the idea of a lack of communication, as the singer is left waiting with no idea of when or if their taxi will arrive. This sense of isolation and separation is heightened by the repetition of the chorus, which underscores the sense of being trapped in an endless cycle of waiting.
Line by Line Meaning
Waiting for your taxi
Anticipating the arrival of the means of transportation you have summoned
Which taxi never comes
The expected mode of transportation never materializes to take you to your destination
Waiting for your taxi
Remaining in your current location due to the absence of your ride
Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAS JANKEL, IAN DURY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Collector
When the taxi starts and the horns blend in-pure heaven-I still have this on vinyl...
Sean o connor
@Mick Doyle Me too.
Mick Doyle
I still have it one vinyl too!
TheSalmuse7
More genius from The Dury. Absolutely brilliant album too! They don’t make them like this any more...
Martin Leary
Funk Heaven!
Michael Winder
dem horns!
figbat oswald
Day 6229. A prime number. All my urine til 3.00pm then dried figs fresh figs yellow apple red grapes sprouts then more urine then fresh fruit and vegetables and other foods at 7.00pm. No change.
Martin
I'm sorry, the psychiatrist is not in.