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.
Blah Blah Blah
Longpigs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
if it makes you feel better
you're cut off at the wrists
to explain your aching
this headaltic water
she sounds the bell
if the stars didnt impress her
you, youve been waiting for
a new sensation to come
youve been waiting
say what she
put on your face
its your one for parties
i never imagined
you would wear it for parties
its been overdone
you talk in soddy
youve got a problem with this then
sweet sacking a cossy
cos ive been waiting for a new sensation to come
i can wait this to kick in
say what she does say
complication
shut off from it all
you
hedaltic water
she sounds the bell
if the stars dont impress her
give her the sell
yeah
say what she does say
say nothing complicated
shut off from it all
shut off you
say nothing complicated
shut off from it all
shut off
you
The opening lines of the song "Blah Blah Blah" by Longpigs perfectly sum up the essence of the entire song that is a desperate plea for validation and a sense of belongingness. The lyrics suggest that people often seek reassurance from others, even if it means resorting to drugs and other harmful means to achieve it. The use of the phrase "are you on" indicates the drug culture prevalent in the 1990s when this song was released. Even if one feels cut off, it’s believed that being high or drunk can provide temporary respite, enabling individuals to face life's challenges. The reference to being "cut off at the wrists" implies feeling restrained or powerless in expressing one's emotions as they seek to understand their own "aching."
The "headaltic water" used in the following verse is probably interpreted as some concoction that intoxicates the person. The person who wants to impress the woman who sounds the bell is struggling to dazzle her since the stars aren’t enough for her. The persona wants a "new sensation to come." They want something different to experience to validate themselves. The persona's claim that "its your one for parties, I never imagined you would wear it for parties" suggests that the woman is trying too hard to fit in and is doing things that they wouldn't have expected her to do. This sentiment is echoed again with "you talk in soddy, you’ve got a problem with this then sweet sacking a cossy" illustrating yet again how the woman is trying too hard to make a lasting impression.
Line by Line Meaning
Say 'are you on'
Ask if someone is under the influence of drugs
if it makes you feel better
To ease any worries or doubts
you're cut off at the wrists
Feeling trapped or unable to express oneself
to explain your aching
To give a reason for feeling emotionally or mentally distressed
this headaltic water
Intense or overwhelming feeling
she sounds the bell
She marks the beginning or end of something
if the stars didnt impress her
If something amazing or extraordinary didn't even capture her attention
give up the sell
Stop trying to convince or impress her
you, youve been waiting for
A desire for a new experience or feeling
a new sensation to come
Looking for something exciting or novel
say what she
Describing communication or interaction with someone
put on your face
To present oneself in a certain way
its your one for parties
A mask or persona specifically for social gatherings
i never imagined
Surprised or confused by someone's behavior
you would wear it for parties
It seems unlikely or unexpected that you would use this persona for social events
its been overdone
Something has become tedious or boring
you talk in soddy
Converse in an unintelligible or nonsensical way
youve got a problem with this then
If you have an issue with this behavior
sweet sacking a cossy
An exclamation of surprise or disbelief
cos ive been waiting for a new sensation to come
I am also looking for something new or exciting
i can wait this to kick in
Patiently waiting for something to happen or change
say what she does say
Pay attention to what she is saying
complication
A difficult or complex situation
shut off from it all
To disconnect or isolate oneself from stress or difficult situations
you
Referring to oneself
Contributed by Alice Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stefanlang5382
Masterpiece
@celestewilliams5904
Hell yeah.
I still have my cd copy of this.
I still play it.
❤