Born in Buxton, Derbyshire, Cole grew up in nearby Chapel en le Frith and went to New Mills Grammar School. After failing in law at University College London, he later attended (but did not graduate from) the University of Glasgow where he studied philosophy and English and met the other members of band that would become The Commotions. Their 1984 debut, Rattlesnakes, contained numerous literary and pop culture references to figures like Norman Mailer, Grace Kelly, Eva Marie Saint, Truman Capote and Joan Didion. The group produced two more albums, Easy Pieces and Mainstream, before disbanding in 1989, when Cole re-located to New York to record with legendary musicians like Fred Maher and Robert Quine (as well as a then largely unknown Matthew Sweet).
This solo setting produced two acclaimed albums, Lloyd Cole in 1990 and 1991's Don't Get Weird on Me Babe. The latter was recorded in two parts: one side continued the New York rock mastered on his first solo album, while the other side featured a session orchestra, much in the style of Burt Bacharach or Scott Walker. Although some reviewers have claimed Don't Get Weird on Me Babe (the title being a quote from the American neo-realism poet Raymond Carver) to be a creative peak, it produced significantly lesser record sales, and the contract with Capitol Records ended.
Subsequently signed by Rykodisc, Cole continued redefining his sound with Bad Vibes (1993), a collaboration with producer/remixer Adam Peters using a harder, grunge and psychedelica inspired sound. Love Story (1995) established stripped-down, largely acoustic sound landscapes with the help of Stephen Street (famous for his work with Blur and The Smiths) and former Commotions Neil Clark and Blair Cowan; the album produced a minor hit with the song "Like Lovers Do".
In 2000, after years without a contract, Cole recorded a disc with the New York band The Negatives, featuring Jill Sobule and Dave Derby of the Dambuilders. He has since released solo albums on smaller independent labels. Sanctuary Records, the company responsible for the revival of Morrissey, released Music in a Foreign Language (2003) in the U.K. Recorded largely by Cole himself (including tracks recorded directly into a Mac), the songs had a stark, folk-inspired singer-songwriter style. One Little Indian, home of Björk, released Music in a Foreign Language in the U.S.; they also collected a number of outtakes (recorded from 1996 to 2000) on 2004's Etc. and released an instrumental ambient electronica album, Plastic Wood, the same year.
Cole continued to tour, playing intimate club venues in a one-man acoustic setting. In 2004, to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of Rattlesnakes, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions reformed to perform a one-off, sell-out tour in the U.K. and Ireland. An avid golfer, he is also known for playing concerts in towns suspiciously close to famous golf courses. He also shares a passion for this sport with Alice Cooper who is said to introduce the song "Only Women Bleed" claiming "not even Lloyd Cole has written a song about menstruation" when playing live.
Cole's album "Antidepressant" was released in 2006 featuring the former Commotions guitarist Neil Clark on some tracks.
The follow-up Broken Record, released in September 2010, marked a departure from his solo recordings, as it was performed by a band of longstanding friends and working partners, including Fred Maher, Joan Wasser, Rainy Orteca, Dave Derby and Blair Cowan – as well as two musicians, Matt Cullen (guitar; banjo) and Mark Schwaber (guitar; mandolin).
An album co-funded by fans, Standards, was released in June 2013.
A studio album – Guesswork – was released on July 26, 2019 by earMUSIC.
Ice Cream Girl
Lloyd Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe I'm a little impatient, we'll concede that in mind
You won't give me your number, you won't give me your time
You said meet me on the corner, and there's still no sign
Maybe I'm a little outdated, maybe a little out of time
To believe your heart is in the right place
Despite what you're doing to mine
So I'm standing on the corner, looking like I don't care
And leave the loneliest boy in the western world
Cruising the streets for an ice cream girl
I feel like a shady politician trying to sell a broken-down car
Sit home sleeping for virgin princess, you know that's not what you are
Do I have to feel this small before you'll play ball?
Maybe I lack sophistication, maybe a little unrefined
So my credit ain't too good, well call a dollar a dime
You won't give me your number, you won't give me your time
I'm standing on the corner, and there's still no sign
D'you want to crucify my feelings with your fingernails
And leave the loneliest boy in the western world
Cruising the streets for an ice cream girl, hey
D'you want to crucify my feelings with your fingernails
And leave the loneliest boy in the western world
Cruising the streets for an ice cream girl
The song "Ice Cream Girl" by Lloyd Cole is a reflection of the frustration and rejection felt by the singer who is trying to pursue a girl who is unresponsive to his advances. He acknowledges that he may be a little old-fashioned and impatient, but he cannot help but feel that the girl is unkind and uninterested. He feels small and out of place, struggling to make a connection with the girl he desires.
The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and hopelessness, with the singer feeling like he is "the loneliest boy in the western world cruising the streets for an ice cream girl." The use of the metaphorical language of crucifixion and fingernails highlights the pain and hurt he is experiencing, which is intensified by the girl's refusal to acknowledge him. Despite the frustration, he still holds onto the belief that the girl's heart is in the right place, indicating that he is still trying to find a way to connect with her.
Overall, the song captures the feelings of rejection and hopelessness that many people experience in their pursuit of love and companionship. The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing and desperation, highlighting the emotional toll that unrequited love can take on people.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I'm a little old-fashioned, maybe you're a little unkind
I might be considered outdated, while you might be perceived as harsh.
Maybe I'm a little impatient, we'll concede that in mind
It's true that I can be eager, I must admit that.
You won't give me your number, you won't give me your time
You're not willing to provide me with your contact information, nor spend any time with me.
You said meet me on the corner, and there's still no sign
Despite planning to meet, you're nowhere to be found.
Maybe I'm a little outdated, maybe a little out of time
To believe your heart is in the right place
Despite what you're doing to mine
I could be out of touch with reality, believing your intentions are pure even though you're hurting me.
So I'm standing on the corner, looking like I don't care
To hide my disappointment, I pretend to be indifferent while waiting for you.
D'you want to crucify my feelings with your fingernails
And leave the loneliest boy in the western world
Cruising the streets for an ice cream girl
Are you trying to hurt my emotions with your sharp words and make me feel like the most isolated person, aimlessly searching for someone to comfort me?
I feel like a shady politician trying to sell a broken-down car
I sense like being an unscrupulous politician attempting to deceive someone into purchasing a faulty vehicle.
Sit home sleeping for virgin princess, you know that's not what you are
Although you may seem like an innocent royal lady, I know that's not really who you are.
Do I have to feel this small before you'll play ball?
Have I reached the point where I must feel insignificant before you engage with me?
Maybe I lack sophistication, maybe a little unrefined
So my credit ain't too good, well call a dollar a dime
It's possible that I'm not cultured enough, and my financial status isn't great, but that doesn't mean I'm worthless.
You won't give me your number, you won't give me your time
I'm standing on the corner, and there's still no sign
You continue not to provide me with a way to keep in touch, and I remain stranded on this street corner with no indication of your arrival.
D'you want to crucify my feelings with your fingernails
And leave the loneliest boy in the western world
Cruising the streets for an ice cream girl, hey
Do you want to hurt me deeply with your pointed remarks and make me feel like the loneliest person in the Western world, searching aimlessly for a lover?
D'you want to crucify my feelings with your fingernails
And leave the loneliest boy in the western world
Cruising the streets for an ice cream girl
Are you trying to hurt my emotions with your sharp words and make me feel like the most isolated person, aimlessly searching for someone to comfort me?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BLAIR COWAN, LLOYD COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheRolloFX
Nice to know I am not the only one in the world who thinks this is one of the best songs ever written.
HotPutridVomit
no way this song is gay.
framodcole
Fi'n brilliant
Jeeed
Great song. Great album
ted norton
absolutely not. I often quote it to myself. for my own amusement.....
SEA BLUE FILMS
Lloyd Cole is one of the greatest songwriters of all time
HotPutridVomit
no he's not. he sucks total ass and blows chunks
J B
Got this cd in a dollar bin back in OKC. Those halcyon days of school, art and music. This album stayed in my rotation for years. I have it still...very rare feat...heh. My particular favorite track on a fantastic album.
HotPutridVomit
it was in the dollar bin cause it sucks.
runningtap12
He is awesome!