The group initially signed with Elektra Records in 1993. However, just before they released their first single, two tragedies struck the band. Lead singer Hunt was seriously injured in a car accident resulting in his being in a coma for three days. Shortly after, the UK arm of the record label closed its doors leaving the Longpigs' future in doubt. Elektra set a price of £500,000 to release them from their contract.
The Longpigs contract was purchased by U2's new record label, Mother Records. The band had a series of fortunate gigs, including opening for Echobelly, Supergrass and finally Radiohead in early 1995. Their first singles, Happy Again, She Said and Jesus Christ did little in the charts. The band played the 1995 Reading Festival and subsequently, new track All Hype was featured on the compilation CD Volume 14: Reading '95 Special.
Their next single, the poppy Far, managed to hit the UK Top 40. In March 1996, this was followed by the ballad On & On which received considerable radio play and hit the UK Top 20. The song had a guitar riff remarkably similar to Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. In April 1996 the band released their debut album The Sun Is Often Out, which was declared one of 1996's 50 best albums by both Q Magazine and Melody Maker. On the heels of their newfound success, the band then repackaged and re-released She Said which hit the UK top 30 in June 1996.
The band waited more than two years to release their next material, an eternity in the Britpop world. Their second album, Mobile Home, was released in 1999, with singles including Blue Skies and The Frank Sonata. Despite briefly reaching the UK top 20, the album failed to achieve any notable success. Dee Boyle left the band, and shortly after Mother Records folded in 2000, the rest of the band split up. Guitarist Richard Hawley went on to tour with Pulp.
In late 2004, Hunt lent his voice to the self-titled album by pop/electronic supergroup Mayonnaise on the Lunaticworks/BMG label. Richard Hawley has a flourishing solo career and has also worked with Jarvis Cocker in the electro group Relaxed Muscle. Hunt has since been seen recording with a new band, Gramercy with the help of Dylan Rippon (producer of albums by Emma Townsend) and Nigel Hoyle, once of Britpop-rockers Gay Dad.
Baby Blue
Longpigs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fill my hole
Because I've offered you the part on parole
Complete me
Don't let go
Because I'm clinging to the mast it's your boat
Sunken treasure gives a lot more pleasure
Than the rat if it comes to that
Don't make it true
That I'm a fool without your love
My baby blue
Don't make it true
Completely fill my hole
Because of all the types I've cast it's your role
Complete me
Don't let go
Because I started to believe you had soul
With your willing
Fuck that hole needs filling
Feel I'm crippled
Now with you it's tripled
My baby blue
Don't make it true
That I'm a fool without your love
My baby blue
Don't make it true
Sunken treasure gives a piece more pleasure
Than the rat if it comes to that
My baby blue
My baby blue
My baby blue
Don't make it true
That I'm a fool without your love
My baby blue
Don't make it true
The lyrics of Longpigs's "Baby Blue" suggest a certain desperation and vulnerability in the singer's relationship to their lover, who is referred to as "baby blue." The singer seeks to be completed and have their hole filled, offering their lover the part on parole. The language suggests an almost criminal or violent undertone, as if the singer is surrendering control or power to their lover. The repetition of "complete me" and "don't let go" reinforces this sense of desperation and neediness.
The singer also references sunken treasure and a rat, suggesting that they believe their relationship with their lover is more valuable than any other alternatives. The phrase "sunken treasure gives a lot more pleasure than the rat if it comes to that" appears twice in the song, reinforcing this sentiment. However, there is a fear that if their lover were to leave them, they would be left feeling like a fool.
The final repeated refrain of "my baby blue, don't make it true" implies that the singer knows that their lover is capable of making them feel like a fool and is hoping that the relationship doesn't end. The juxtaposition of the desperation and vulnerability with the violent and criminal undertones makes for a complex and emotionally charged portrayal of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Complete me
The singer desires to be completed by the person they are addressing
Fill my hole
The singer is using a metaphor to express their need for emotional fulfillment
Because I've offered you the part on parole
The singer has given the person they're addressing a chance to have a role in their life
Don't let go
The artist is afraid of losing the person they're addressing
Because I'm clinging to the mast it's your boat
The artist is relying on the person they're addressing to steer their life in the right direction
Sunken treasure gives a lot more pleasure
The singer would rather have a valuable, meaningful relationship than settling for something less satisfying
Than the rat if it comes to that
The singer would rather be alone than in a meaningless relationship
My baby blue
The artist is using the title as a term of endearment for the person they're addressing
Don't make it true
The artist is afraid of their worst fears becoming reality
That I'm a fool without your love
The artist believes they are incomplete without the person they're addressing
Completely fill my hole
The singer is emphasizing their need for emotional fulfillment
Because of all the types I've cast it's your role
The artist has tried different types of relationships and found that the person they're addressing is the right one for them
With your willing
The singer is appreciating the fact that the person they're addressing is willing to be with them
Fuck that hole needs filling
The singer is using vulgar language to emphasize their desire for emotional fulfillment
Feel I'm crippled
The singer feels incomplete without the person they're addressing
Now with you it's tripled
The artist feels that their life has improved since being with the person they're addressing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CRISPIN MACMICHAEL SANDYS HUNT, SIMON EDWARD STAFFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind