Nail rose to fame playing Leonard Jeffrey 'Oz' Osborne in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet in 1983, despite having no acting experience whatsoever (he had appeared as an extra in the movie Get Carter). Nail has also starred in a number of films and had a long musical career, having been a singer before he was picked out at an audition to play Oz.
After the first two series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Nail found himself typecast before creating the detective series, Spender, which he co-wrote with Ian La Frenais. The show ran for three seasons from 1990 to 1993 and also produced a tele-film. This was followed in 1995 by Crocodile Shoes, which he also created and starred as musician Jed Shepherd. After working with Madonna and Antonio Banderas in Alan Parker's Evita (1996) he co-starred in Clement & La Frenais' Sony movie 'Still Crazy' (1998). A song from the movie, 'The Flame Still Burns', sung by Nail, was nominated for a Golden Globe.
He has released a number of albums of his own compositions, the first being 'Take It Or Leave It' in 1986, 1991's 'Growing Up In Public' (featuring among others Gary Moore, David Gilmour and George Harrison), the last being 'Tadpoles In A Jar' in 1999 . His 'Crocodile Shoes' album of 1995 sold over a million copies. Mark Knopfler plays guitar on some tracks, a compliment that was repaid with an important plot reference to Oz's being a fan of Dire Straits in the third (revived) series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (2002).
His work has resulted in five Bafta nominations (three in total for 'A.W.P.', one for 'Spender', one for 'Crocodile Shoes')), a Golden Globe nomination ( Best Original Song - 'Still Crazy'), an Ivor Novello nomination (for 'Ain't No Doubt) and numerous other awards and nominations.
Nailing: Following hot on the heels of the internet phenomenon "Rickrolling" where an internet user can provide a web link that that is relevant to the topic of an email or social networking message; the link actually takes the user through to a video of the Rick Astley song 'Never Gonna Give You Up". Similarly, "Nailing" follows the same concept, but takes the user to a link of Nail's 1992 No.1 single 'Ain't no doubt'. Thus the clicker of the link is said to have been "Nailed".
Once Upon A Time
Jimmy Nail Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
buy broom bessoms better never grew
once upon a time we had a lead to follow
well respected men used to show the way
folks would follow on 'cause they believed the promise
well respected men would never betray
now look around it's hard to see integrity
you ask for direction and they don't know
but once upon a time was a long time ago
once upon a time we built a revolution
big steel wheel roll around the world
ten ships sailed and whaled and delivered
all the food necessary for the boys and girls
then one day came a man with a mission
to take away everything they know
once upon a time was a land for heroes
but once upon a time was a long time ago
once upon a time things were oh so simple
you did a day's work you got a day's pay
it didn't come to much but it kept a wife and children
burned in the lantern that’ld light the way
now all's left is the story of a memory
the real thing fades with a dying glow
once upon a time this was a land of plenty
but once upon a time was a long time ago
The lyrics of Jimmy Nail's song "Once Upon A Time" tackle the idea of how things used to be better in the past, and how society has lost its way. The lyrics start with a reference to buying brown besoms and broom bessoms, which symbolizes how things used to be simpler in the past, when people would buy things as and when they needed them. The singer then talks about how once upon a time, people had respected leaders to follow, who would never betray them. However, now it's hard to find people with integrity, who can provide direction.
The second verse touches on how once upon a time, a revolution was built, and big steel wheels used to roll around the world, delivering food to people. However, one day, a man arrived who wanted to take everything away from them. The singer then laments how the land used to be for heroes, but now that time has been lost.
The final verse deals with how once upon a time, things were simple - people worked hard and got paid for it. Their earnings were enough to take care of their families and light their way. The singer then brings us back to the present, where all that is left is a memory of the time when things were better, and the real thing is fading away.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of nostalgia for a time when things were better, and people had more faith in their leaders and society as a whole. It speaks to the loss of trust and hope in the modern world.
Line by Line Meaning
buy brown besoms buy them when they're new
Buy the best broomsticks when they are new as they will be at their highest quality when first produced.
buy broom bessoms better never grew
It's better to buy new broomsticks as they will never match the quality of the first time they were made.
once upon a time we had a lead to follow
There was once a clear path to follow, a good example to take inspiration from.
well respected men used to show the way
Respected and trustworthy leaders were once there to guide the way.
folks would follow on 'cause they believed the promise
People followed these leaders because they trusted in their promises.
well respected men would never betray
The leaders were considered to be so trustworthy that betraying their followers would be unthinkable.
now look around it's hard to see integrity
Nowadays it is difficult to find people who consistently demonstrate honesty and strong moral principles.
you ask for direction and they don't know
When seeking guidance, many people now appear to be lost or unsure.
once upon a time the sun was shin’n brightly
In the past things seemed more positive and hopeful, as though the sun was shining more brightly.
but once upon a time was a long time ago
However, that time has long since passed, and things are not the same anymore.
once upon a time we built a revolution
There was a time when people rallied together to push for change and create a better future for themselves and others.
big steel wheel roll around the world
The success of this revolution helped to power global progress and change.
ten ships sailed and whaled and delivered
These ships were vital in delivering essential resources, such as food, to support people's basic needs.
all the food necessary for the boys and girls
The supplies provided from these efforts helped support the wellbeing and growth of children around the world.
then one day came a man with a mission
Unfortunately, the forward momentum was disrupted by a person with their own agenda and goals.
to take away everything they know
This person's actions were destructive and hurt those who had been working hard to create positive change.
once upon a time was a land for heroes
This used to be a place where people who stood up for what was right and just were celebrated.
once upon a time things were oh so simple
Things used to seem uncomplicated and straightforward.
you did a day's work you got a day's pay
People could work hard for a fair wage, helping them provide for their families and contribute to society.
it didn't come to much but it kept a wife and children
While not a lot, the money earned was enough to support a family's basic needs.
burned in the lantern that’ld light the way
It was a symbol of the effort and hard work that helped light the path forward.
now all's left is the story of a memory
Unfortunately, much of what once existed is now just a distant memory.
the real thing fades with a dying glow
What really mattered in the past is slowly losing its importance and relevance.
once upon a time this was a land of plenty
This used to be a prosperous and abundant place, with plenty of resources and opportunities for all.
but once upon a time was a long time ago
However, this is no longer the case, and we must face the reality of the present situation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, LEIGH HARLINE, NED WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind