Hunter began his musical career on the bass guitar. An early foray into music was as an entrant in a talent competition at one of Butlin's holiday camps, performing "Blue Moon" as part of a skiffle group with Colen York and Colin Broome.
Hunter memorialized how he left his family in a later song, "23A Swan Hill," the address of his teenage home in Shrewsbury above a police station where his father was the Station Sergeant. He notes in concert that "my Dad was real mean" and did not approve of his son's artistic direction, in contrast to his "grand dad", referenced in "Cleveland Rocks", as "he was a rocker and I am, too".
So Hunter took off for Butlin's and "never looked back". Bandmates York and Broome came from Northampton, and were in a band called The Apex, which Hunter soon joined to play rhythm guitar. In 1963, while living in Northampton, he formed his own band, Hurricane Henry and the Shriekers. With Tony Marriott and guitarist Julian Coulter, the Shriekers worked steadily in Northampton, and by 1965 had picked up Freddie 'Fingers' Lee as a pianist and frontman. In a 2004 DVD interview Hunter volunteers Lee and their gigs in Hamburg as a major turning point, when he first began to "actually think maybe I could do this instead of working in factories".
In 1966 Hunter moved to London, where he joined The Scenery with guitarist Miller Anderson, drummer Dave Dufort, and keyboard player Dante Smith. By 1967 Smith and Dufort had left the band while John Vernon Smith joined on drums. The Scenery recorded some material with Bill Farley at Regent Sound, which was released without the band's knowledge in France and Japan. In early 1968, The Scenery had run its course and Miller Anderson joined Dave Dufort in Paper Blitz Tissue.
Also in 1968 Hunter remained in the band to back up Freddie Lee in the At Last The 1958 Rock and Roll Show, along with drummer Pete Philips and guitarist Chris Mayfield. The group got a regular booking at The Angel in Edmonton, and drew interest from both Chrysalis and NEMS but the group was never signed by them. Mayfield was soon replaced by the ever traveling Miller Anderson, and the group released a single on CBS called "I Can't Drive." As the short-lived rock and roll revival began to wane, At Last the 1958 Rock and Roll Show changed its name to Charlie Woolfe and released a final single, "Dance, Dance, Dance".
Hunter played sporadically in various other bands throughout the 1960s, including The New Yardbirds, and backed Billy Fury, The Young Idea and David McWilliams. He also worked as a journalist and staff songwriter for the firm Francis, Day & Hunter (no relation). Other jobs he took during these years included road-digging for a local council, and reporting for a local newspaper.
By 1969 Hunter was married and had two children, but was still hoping for a return to making music full time. That year he auditioned for and joined yet another band, Silence. Silence soon renamed themselves after a novel by Willard Manus, published in 1966: Mott The Hoople. By this time Hunter had taken to wearing the sunglasses that have long since become his trademark (photos of him without his "shades" are rare). The band was a live smash in England although their early U.S. tours on the coasts were slow in building a following. Whilst a critical success and despite being renowned for being an excellent live act, Mott the Hoople did not achieve sustained commercial success. After a dreary 1972 concert in a "gas cylinder" in Switzerland, they announced their disbandment.
David Bowie, a longtime fan of the band, was upset and offered them a song he had just written. As Ian recalls in a 2004 DVD interview, "He offered us 'Suffragette City', which I didn't think was good enough. And then he sat down on the floor, Regent Street it was in a publisher's office and plays 'All The Young Dudes' on an acoustic guitar." It shot to No. 3 in the UK singles chart and Mott had new life.
Mott the Hoople then had considerable commercial success with the albums All the Young Dudes (1972, produced by Bowie); Mott (1973) and The Hoople (1974). The band began to score financially with songs such as "Roll Away The Stone," "Golden Age Of Rock ´N´ Roll," "Honaloochie Boogie," "All The Way From Memphis," "Saturday Gigs," and especially "All The Young Dudes." When in 1973 original lead guitarist Mick Ralphs left to form Bad Company, Hunter began to play guitar until a replacement could be found but at the same time he was increasingly pressured to write hits for the band. Luther Grosvenor took over as lead guitarist, Grosvenor, aka Ariel Bender, was briefly replaced by Mick Ronson after the release of a live album following The Hoople. However, Hunter left the band in December 1974. The remaining members carried on under the names Mott and British Lions. Hunter has written a memoir, Diary of a Rock'n'Roll Star, detailing a U.S. tour with Mott the Hoople.
In March 1975 Ian Hunter joined forces with Mick Ronson, formerly the leading member of David Bowie's backing band The Spiders from Mars and a member of Mott the Hoople for a brief time. Hunter's first single from his eponymous solo album was the UK Top 40 hit "Once Bitten Twice Shy". Hunter's best selling solo album was You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic. It was released in 1979 with Ronson and several members from Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Two songs from You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic became successes for other artists. "Cleveland Rocks" was covered by the Presidents of the United States of America, whose version was used as the theme song for The Drew Carey Show. Also, "Ships" became a No. 9 pop hit in the USA in late 1979 for Barry Manilow.
During his solo career Hunter frequently worked with Ronson until the latter's death in 1993, but he has also had musical connections with many other artists, including Queen, Mick Jones (The Clash), Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Jaco Pastorius, Dennis Elliot (Foreigner), and David Bowie.
His album, Rant (2001), received wide critical acclaim and he won Classic Rock Magazine Songwriter's Award in October 2005.
In 2007 his latest album "Shrunken Heads" was released and it clearly shows that Ian Hunter is still very much alive.
Bastard
Ian Hunter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vestal Virginia, ain't got a bad thought in ya, you're a bastard
Mean as a killer, instinct that's within ya, you're a bastard.
Laughs like a drain and it messes up my brain
'cause you know I like the pain of never knowing
Space cow I'll chew the bad blood running through ya
Kiss you as you hit the floor 'cause you don't even know that you're a bastard
There's a crisis in the kitchen
But that don't stop you bitchin', you're a bastard
You got that Yellow jacket touch,
With the stings that hurt so much, you're such a bastard
Flirting in the shadows, aiming all those little arrows,
You're as shallow as the gallows you got me in to. (yeah)
Voodoo dolls gonna line the room, handcuffs glinting in the gloom,
One day you'll find that hidden door, inside everyone screams that you're a bastard.
(you're such a)
You twist me til I'm lame, then you spin the coin again, you're such a bastard
You're so naturally perverse, you ain't even gotta rehearse, you're such a bastard
Fly like a witch, without running in some pitch
Why don't you break the switch that takes me over
My prison is your brain, your prisoner's insane
Forgot all the keys, you can break the chains
But you don't even take the blame you bastard.
(Bastard, bastard) I'm enjoying that lately, you know just the beginnings
(bastard)
The agony and the ecstasy meeting at the middle of my mouth
The agony and the ecstasy can't spit it out.
Sometimes on a rainy day I draw you.
Hope for love.
The lyrics of Ian Hunter's song "Bastard" describe someone who is cruel, manipulative, and shallow. The verses depict a person who is mean but also attractive in some way, and the singer is clearly drawn to this person despite the hurt they cause him. The chorus repeats the title, emphasizing this person's personality trait. The lyrics describe feeling trapped by this person's behavior, even though the singer knows that he should turn away. The song's themes center around the idea of feeling helpless in a relationship where one person holds all the power, despite the negative consequences for the other.
The lyrics convey a strong sense of frustration and powerlessness, as the singer is unable to break free from the hold that this person has over him. The use of the word "bastard" repeatedly throughout the song emphasizes the negative impact of this person's behavior on those around him or her.
Line by Line Meaning
Vestal Virginia, ain't got a bad thought in ya, you're a bastard
Despite your innocent appearance, you possess a cruel and manipulative nature, making you a bastard.
Mean as a killer, instinct that's within ya, you're a bastard.
You have a vicious and dangerous disposition, akin to that of a killer, labeling you as a bastard.
Laughs like a drain and it messes up my brain
'cause you know I like the pain of never knowing
Space cow I'll chew the bad blood running through ya
Kiss you as you hit the floor 'cause you don't even know that you're a bastard
Your sadistic laughter is addicting, even though it confuses me since I enjoy the uncertainty. I'll beat you up initially, but end up kissing you on the ground because you're too ignorant to realize how much of a bastard you are.
There's a crisis in the kitchen
But that don't stop you bitchin', you're a bastard
Even amidst a crisis, you continue to complain and cause problems, proving that you are in fact, a bastard.
You got that Yellow jacket touch,
With the stings that hurt so much, you're such a bastard
Your touch is similar to that of a yellow jacket, inflicting pain with your stinging words and actions, making you a true bastard.
Flirting in the shadows, aiming all those little arrows,
You're as shallow as the gallows you got me in to. (yeah)
Voodoo dolls gonna line the room, handcuffs glinting in the gloom,
One day you'll find that hidden door, inside everyone screams that you're a bastard.
(you're such a)
You hide in the shadows, shooting your words like arrows, showing your superficiality with the gallows you lead me into. There'll be voodoo dolls and handcuffs all around, and one day you'll discover the truth that everyone already knows: you're a bastard.
You twist me til I'm lame, then you spin the coin again, you're such a bastard
You manipulate me until I'm numb, only to turn around and do it all over again. You are undoubtedly a bastard.
You're so naturally perverse, you ain't even gotta rehearse, you're such a bastard
You're naturally twisted, and don't even have to try to be that way. That's why you'll always be a bastard.
Fly like a witch, without running in some pitch
Why don't you break the switch that takes me over
My prison is your brain, your prisoner's insane
Forgot all the keys, you can break the chains
But you don't even take the blame you bastard.
You move around like a witch, as if under a spell. Why don't you remove the hold you got on me? I'm trapped inside your mind, and the prisoner there is insane. You could've freed me, but you chose not to. You truly are a bastard.
(Bastard, bastard) I'm enjoying that lately, you know just the beginnings
I've been enjoying the name-calling lately, it's just the beginning of how much of a bastard you are.
(bastard)
The agony and the ecstasy meeting at the middle of my mouth
The agony and the ecstasy can't spit it out.
The joy and the pain of being with you are colliding in the middle of my mouth, making it hard to swallow or speak. You are a true bastard.
Sometimes on a rainy day I draw you.
Hope for love.
Occasionally, on a dreary day, I'll go about hoping for love, and remember you as a bastard.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mancosickbag
Vestal Virginia, ain't got a bad thought in ya, you're a bastard
Mean as a killer, instinct that's within ya, you're a bastard.
Laughs like a drain and it messes up my brain
'cause you know I like the pain of never knowing
Space cow I'll chew the bad blood running through ya
Kiss you as you hit the floor 'cause you don't even know that you're a bastard
There's a crisis in the kitchen
But that don't stop you bitchin', you're a bastard
You got that Yellow jacket touch,
With the stings that hurt so much, you're such a bastard
Flirting in the shadows, aiming all those little arrows,
You're as shallow as the gallows you got me in to. (yeah)
Voodoo dolls gonna line the room, handcuffs glinting in the gloom,
One day you'll find that hidden door, inside everyone screams that you're a bastard.
(you're such a)
You twist me til I'm lame, then you spin the coin again, you're such a bastard
You're so naturally perverse, you ain't even gotta rehearse, you're such a bastard
Fly like a witch, without running in some pitch
Why don't you break the switch that takes me over
My prison is your brain, your prisoner's insane
Forgot all the keys, you can break the chains
But you don't even take the blame you bastard.
I'm enjoying that lately, you know just the beginnings
The agony and the ecstasy meeting at the middle of my mouth
The agony and the ecstasy can't spit it out.
Sometimes on a rainy day I draw you.
Hope for love.
@user-he4qc8db8y
Hmmc
Vestal Virginia, ain't got a bad thought in ya, you're a bastard
Mean as a killer, instinct that's within ya, you're a bastard.
Laughs like a drain and it messes up my brain
'cause you know I like the pain of never knowing
Space cow I'll chew the bad blood running through ya
Kiss you as you hit the floor 'cause you don't even know that you're a bastard
There's a crisis in the kitchen
But that don't stop you bitchin', you're a bastard
You got that Yellow jacket touch,
With the stings that hurt so much, you're such a bastard
Flirting in the shadows, aiming all those little arrows,
You're as shallow as the gallows you got me in to. (yeah)
Voodoo dolls gonna line the room, handcuffs glinting in the gloom,
One day…
@EXTIQUE
THEY STILL DONT MAKE A SOUND SYSTEM LOUD ENOUGH TO PLAY THIS SONG!! WHEN YOU GROW UP BEING CALLED A BASTARD BY EVERY ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS,,IT STICKS WITH YOU,,FOREVER!! THANKS IAN HUNTER FOR WRITING THE GREATEST SONG IN MY LIFES HISTORY!!🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
@johnmitchelljr
Never read the lyrics till now. Now I really love Mr. Hunter more than ever. What a writer. Thank you. Miss Mr. Ronson.
@williamconners3057
Great artist.highly underrated
@xr4ti548
Growing up the only music my dad would listen to was country. But on occasion he would slap 'You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic' into the 8-track player. Secret Ian Hunter fan.
@josepheichhorn8394
listened to this live at Joe Louis arena in Detroit years ago everybody was stomping their feet until the whole building started shaking it was incredible!
@gvcjeff
Bought this album 31 yrs ago. It's still as great now as then. Alot of people never heard of it.
@BuckeyeinNebraska63
Have not listened to this in almost 40 years. Love it as much today as I did back in the day.
@Dodgerzden
And the crazy thing is, how did this not get any air time?
@justinmathewson3692
@@Dodgerzdencuz it uses a bad word ... 🤣
@stevevonrumpf9842
Right there with you