Signed to Polydor in 1984, the band was known for combining Clark's twangy guitar style with Cole's low-key singing style. Particularly notable were Cole's literary lyrics (he was studying Philosophy at the University of Glasgow when the band started) and name-dropping the likes of Norman Mailer, Arthur Lee, Grace Kelly, Truman Capote, Eva Marie Saint, Simone de Beauvoir, and Nancy Sinatra.
For a period in the mid 1980s the band was one of the most successful indie acts in Britain, vying with The Smiths. The band broke up in 1989 amid reports of personality clashes between members, and Cole moved to New York City to pursue a successful solo career. The band reformed in 2004 to perform a 20th anniversary tour of the UK and Ireland.
Band members
Lloyd Cole (born 31 January 1961) - vocals, guitar, lyricist
Blair Cowan (born 1960?) - keyboards
Lawrence Donegan (born 13 July 1961) - bass guitar
Neil Clark (born 3 July 1955) - guitar
Stephen Irvine (born 16 December 1959) - drums
Hey Rusty
Lloyd Cole and The Commotions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stealing cigarettes and laughing as they chased us
Down the boulevards
Then I got a job, white collar, turn coat
You just spun around and walked, said we wouldn't meet again
Hey Rusty don't hang up, I feel so young
I just need one friend, she said hey
Don't take it so bad, she said hey
It wasn't so much, we just ran out of gas or something like that
That's when I, I crashed my car, not by chance and not out of love
Then I walked out of that job, you should've seen their faces
Hey Rusty don't hang up, I just need one friend
And we're not finished yet, no way
Hey rusty, I changed my mind
What d'you say we start again ? No I mean it this time
Stealing cigarettes and laughing as they chase us
Down the boulevards
The song "Hey Rusty" by Lloyd Cole and The Commotions is a nostalgic yet bittersweet narrative about two friends who lost touch with each other over time. The opening lines of the song establishes that it has been a long time since the singer (Lloyd Cole) has seen Rusty. However, it feels like it was just yesterday when they both used to run around the streets, steal cigarettes and laugh as they were chased down the boulevards. This nostalgic tone sets the listener up for the remainder of the song.
However, things change for the singer as he got a white-collar job, which represents his changing values and outlook on life. Rusty, on the other hand, chooses to go in the opposite direction, indicating that both the singer and Rusty were going in different directions, and their friendship eventually fades away. The chorus of the song, "Hey Rusty don't hang up, I just need one friend," highlights the singer's desperation to reconnect with Rusty, trying to recapture the moments of their youth.
As the song progresses, we learn that the singer's life has not been smooth sailing. Although he might have a good job, he has experienced hardships too, such as a car crash that changed his life. He eventually quits his job, showing that he has learned that the traditional path is not for him. In the end, the singer calls Rusty again, suggesting that he is ready to start over, hoping that they can relive the old memories and create new ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Rusty, 's a long time, remember, 's like yesterday
The singer is reminiscing and telling Rusty that it feels as if it was just yesterday when they ran through the streets laughing and smoking cigarettes together.
Stealing cigarettes and laughing as they chased us
Down the boulevards
The singer and Rusty used to sneak cigarettes and run through the streets together while they laughed and enjoyed each other's company.
Then I got a job, white collar, turn coat
You just spun around and walked, said we wouldn't meet again
The singer got a white collar job and Rusty refused to see him anymore, possibly because he felt that the singer had betrayed their shared values.
Hey Rusty don't hang up, I feel so young
Hey Rusty don't hang up cause we're still young
I just need one friend, she said hey
Don't take it so bad, she said hey
The artist is reaching out to Rusty, hoping to rekindle their friendship, and a female reassures the artist that Rusty won't take it poorly.
It wasn't so much, we just ran out of gas or something like that
That's when I, I crashed my car, not by chance and not out of love
Then I walked out of that job, you should've seen their faces
The artist explains that their original separation with Rusty was not due to any serious issue, and shares that they quit their job and crashed their car which indicates that they had a personal crisis of some sort.
Hey Rusty don't hang up, I just need one friend
And we're not finished yet, no way
The singer again reaches out to Rusty, expressing that they need a friend and that they aren't done with life or their friendship yet.
Hey rusty, I changed my mind
What d'you say we start again ? No I mean it this time
Stealing cigarettes and laughing as they chase us
Down the boulevards
The singer finally decides to reconnect with Rusty and asks if they can restart their friendship, hoping to once again run through the streets smoking and laughing together.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
roughanmacnamara
This is amazing. Well done on the editing. Goes so well. Powerful mix of two great works.
lewislane
hello, it's not my clip..... i saved it when youtube had the download feature
The Replenishing Flame
I came here for Cole, but left looking for a rumble (fish)! Great video.
Co-incidentally,, Stewart Copeland (of The Police) not only wrote the experimental score for ‘Rumble Fish’, but also happened to be the producer for ‘Hey Rusty’, (only track he ended up producing on Lloyd Cole’s ‘Mainstream’ album).
JesWebbTv
This just hit me as well, and I came here to comment :)
António Carreira
I was a fan of the first video that was withdrawn.
I'm still a big fan of it now!
Youtube needs more videos like this.
Brilliant, great.
Thank you for persistence.
Simon Milham
Great tune and a clever piece of editing.
coolti44
My favorite LC&C record. 1988 was a great year. Too bad the last record as a band. Love LC’s solo work too. Send him twice live.
Simon Ray
Great film and a brilliant song. Takes me back to the final years of school.
squorly
Great combination - Lloyd and Matt:)
Sean Balfour
nice fav film and song
brilliant work sure llyod cole wouldnt mind