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
Mister Malcontent
Lloyd Cole and The Commotions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under slogans
Of the wall
He sees where's the sense
He says call me Mister Malcontent
A waste of space and alcohol
Drinking rain and eating soil
Cannot express himself at all
Cut off my nose despite my face
And I will not more longer wait
Or should I laugh or should I cry
Or should I part my hair behind?
Or should I laugh or should I cry
As I become all I despise?
The song "Mister Malcontent" by Lloyd Cole and The Commotions is a reflection on the feelings of discontent and disillusionment felt by Johnny, the singer of the song. The lyrics describe Johnny stumbling and falling under the slogans on the wall, unable to express himself despite the slogans that surround him. He feels like a waste of space and alcohol, drinking rain and eating soil, and cannot find any sense in his surroundings. The chorus proclaims his self-identification as "Mister Malcontent," embodying his feelings of being dissatisfied and out-of-place.
The second verse highlights Johnny's growing frustration and the desire to rebel against his situation. He speaks of cutting off his nose despite his face and refusing to wait any longer. The final lines of the song ask the question of whether Johnny should laugh or cry as he becomes all that he despises, which could be interpreted as a commentary on societal pressures and the struggle to define oneself in the face of conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny stumbles Johnny falls
Johnny is struggling and falling.
Under slogans
Johnny is being influenced by political slogans.
Of the wall
These slogans are painted on a wall.
He sees where's the sense
Johnny understands that these slogans don't make sense.
He says call me Mister Malcontent
Johnny is disenchanted and wants to be known as a malcontent.
A waste of space and alcohol
Johnny is wasting his life and numbing his pain with alcohol.
Drinking rain and eating soil
Johnny is so lost and desperate that he is willing to consume air and dirt.
Cannot express himself at all
Johnny is unable to communicate or express his feelings.
Cut off my nose despite my face
Johnny is willing to make a sacrifice even if it means harming himself.
And I will not more longer wait
Johnny is no longer willing to wait for something good to happen in his life.
Or should I laugh or should I cry
Johnny is unsure whether to feel happy or sad.
Or should I part my hair behind?
Johnny is unsure how to present himself to the world.
As I become all I despise?
Johnny is afraid of becoming the very thing he hates.
Contributed by Nathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.