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.
Dance Baby Dance
Longpigs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the sweetest face God would allow
And given this is love almost completely
I want you to eat sweets that fill the tongues of love
So dance baby dance how does it feel where you are
Your shine is my battle, your shine is my war
I believe in love it doesn't make it true
So slam the closet door almost completely
I want you to eat sweets that fill the tongues of love
And dance baby dance how does it feel where you are
Your shine is my battle, your shine is my war
Dance baby dance how does it feel where you are
Your shine is my battle, your shine is my war
I ask you impossible things
You ask me too many to answer, just four
I give you impossible love its no good to me
I'd ask you to slow down and stop take a look
You got to be joking
And as always money talks just says goodbye and walks
I need you to eat sweets that fill the tongues of love
Dance baby dance how does it feel where you are
Your shine is my battle, your shine is my war
Dance baby dance how does it feel where you are
Your shine is my battle, your shine is my war
(So lets divulge the constipation fuckers and persevere with your sweet sugar...)
The song "Dance Baby Dance" by Longpigs is about the complex nature of love and relationships. The singer speaks about wanting their lover to be happy and full of joy and sweetness, and how their shine is both a source of inspiration and a cause for battle. The use of the phrase "cheap fix a face in the crowd" suggests that the singer sees their lover as someone who stands out in a sea of sameness and that they are, in a way, lucky to have found them. The lyrics imply that the singer is offering their lover a type of love that is risky and intense, yet ultimately worth it.
The chorus, "dance baby dance how does it feel where you are, your shine is my battle, your shine is my war," is particularly poignant. It seems to suggest that the singer is both awed and intimidated by their lover's presence and that they feel like they need to fight to keep them close. The final lines of the song are a bit cryptic, but they seem to imply that the singer is frustrated by their lover's inattention or unwillingness to connect on a deeper level.
Line by Line Meaning
It's cheap fix a face in the crowd
Modifying one's appearance to blend in with the masses is an inexpensive and easy way to go unnoticed
But the sweetest face God would allow
Despite the desire to blend in, the natural beauty of an individual's face is unparalleled
And given this is love almost completely
Love is a complicated emotion that cannot be fully understood
I want you to eat sweets that fill the tongues of love
I want you to indulge in the pleasures of love and enjoy its sweetness
So dance baby dance how does it feel where you are
Express yourself and experience the emotions that come with it
Your shine is my battle, your shine is my war
Your radiance and brilliance inspires me to fight for our love
I believe in love it doesn't make it true
While I have faith in love, that alone does not make it a reality
What a good friend I could be for you
I am willing to be a supportive friend to you
So slam the closet door almost completely
Close off your doubts and fears, so that our love can flourish
And dance baby dance how does it feel where you are
Let yourself fully experience the emotions of dancing and expressing yourself
You got to be joking
You cannot be serious in asking for the impossible
And as always money talks just says goodbye and walks
Money is often the main driving factor in decisions and can lead to heartbreak and abandonment
I need you to eat sweets that fill the tongues of love
I require you to experience the sweetness and pleasure that comes with love
Dance baby dance how does it feel where you are
Express yourself fully and revel in the emotions that come with it
Your shine is my battle, your shine is my war
Your brilliance and radiance are what I fight for in our relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CRISPIN MACMICHAEL SANDYS HUNT, RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY, SIMON EDWARD STAFFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andy Traverse
Not heard this for years, amazing to hear again. Brilliant underrated band,incredible songwriting.