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.
Gangsters
Longpigs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
bloodies your eyes and fouls your kiss it's you I can't forget,
I ain't cost you yet.I ain't lost you yet.
Jumped away from the lens, ground to a point love's blind pretence,
burst all those syphilitic cysts that rot the love of God,
stood where Moses trod,the lucky sod,you yet, I ain't caught it yet, you cast your clever net,
but I ain't caught it yet. How can I forget? How can I forget?
you cast your clever net but I ain't caught it yet.
so keep the whites of their eyes in your sights.
I'm Staring buck naked at the world, no fig leaf needed, pure as gold,
burst all this complicated bliss that rots the love of God
stood where Moses trod the lucky sod.
And fizz the first touch of your tongue, flinched like the grip of moist uncle,
sniff sweet cocaine and disco sick, 'cause I can drink to this, every shot of bliss,
Aw shucks. Aw shucks hits, I ain't caught it yet,
you cast that clever net, but I ain't caught it yet.
How can I forget? How can I forget?
you cast your clever net but I ain't caught it yet.
Aw shucks, Aw shucks.
Gangsters don't cry,
when they shoot you to die, so keep the whites of their eyes in your sights.
Lying in the sun like a fat dog with you is worth cancer.
The few pleasures, how white my clean ass could be,
there is not yet a neat Media label to describe you and me and this age.
Well fuck them.
And on the streets there's an advert real people pickled to the bone by the vultures of culture,
golf, hold on to yourself,
so hang on,
Hang on to yourself,
Come on, come on, come on.
Make it feel like stealers tongue, a real flesh eater.
Fortune smiles on the the whites of the teeth,
so bite me bite me bite me as aniseed candy.
And in the parks they skate to flow it all out,
It's all out, they're all out, they're all out I'm so glad they're all out.
The lyrics of Longpigs' Gangsters contain several themes that can be interpreted differently depending on the listener's perspective. The song opens with images of pain and addiction, comparing the effects of morphine with that of an uncontrollable longing for someone. The singer says that he can't forget this person and hasn't lost them yet, speaking to the intensity of their relationship. But despite the depth of his feelings, he also notes that he hasn't been caught yet, perhaps implying a sense of resistance or hesitation.
As the song continues, the imagery becomes more obscure, but there's a sense that the singer is trying to find a sense of freedom or transcendence. He talks about being naked with someone, feeling pure, and breaking away from societal norms. He references Moses and implies that he's seeking some kind of spiritual awakening or enlightenment.
The chorus, "Gangsters don't cry, when they shoot you to die, so keep the whites of their eyes in your sights," is a stark contrast to the vulnerability and uncertainty of the verses. It suggests a sense of danger and violence, where the only way to survive is to be vigilant and alert. There's a feeling of aggression and toughness that pervades the song, reflected in lines about "real flesh eaters" and "biting like aniseed candy."
Overall, the meaning of Gangsters remains somewhat enigmatic, but listeners can take away a sense of longing, defiance, and intense emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
To lick your wounds and crack through the morphine's sweet darkness,
To cope with pain, whether physical or emotional, and to push through the temporary comfort of numbing drugs that only make it worse.
bloodies your eyes and fouls your kiss it's you I can't forget,
Pain is a reminder of love, and no amount of pain or drugs can keep the memory of love from fading.
I ain't cost you yet.I ain't lost you yet.
The singer has not given up on the person they love, despite the hardships they face together and apart.
Jumped away from the lens, ground to a point love's blind pretence,
The romanticized view of love we have is blinding, and the artist has stepped away from it to see the truth.
burst all those syphilitic cysts that rot the love of God,
The corruption and sickness of love, which is held in such high regard by society and religion, must be destroyed in order to see its true nature.
stood where Moses trod,the lucky sod,you yet, I ain't caught it yet, you cast your clever net,
The singer has a unique perspective on love from standing where Moses once stood, but they have not yet found the answer despite the person they love's attempts to reel them in.
but I ain't caught it yet. How can I forget? How can I forget? you cast your clever net but I ain't caught it yet.
The person the singer loves has tried to lure them into thinking love is something different than what it is, but the singer has not fallen for their tricks.
Gangsters don't cry, when they shoot you to die, so keep the whites of their eyes in your sights.
The artist compares love to a violent act where one must stay alert and aware in order to survive, like a gangster who does not show weakness even when faced with death.
I'm Staring buck naked at the world, no fig leaf needed, pure as gold,
The artist is vulnerable, yet unashamed of their true self and their love, which they see as valuable.
burst all this complicated bliss that rots the love of God stood where Moses trod the lucky sod.
Complications only serve to corrupt love, and again the artist is reminded of their unique perspective from the same location as Moses.
And fizz the first touch of your tongue, flinched like the grip of moist uncle,
The first time the singer and their love kissed, it was uncomfortable and awkward like the grip of an aging relative.
sniff sweet cocaine and disco sick, 'cause I can drink to this, every shot of bliss,
The artist enjoys the temporary high of drugs and the disco era, because it reminds them of the good moments they share with their love.
Aw shucks. Aw shucks hits, I ain't caught it yet,
The singer hasn't yet been fully won over by their love's attempts to win them over, despite small gestures that have some effect.
you cast that clever net, but I ain't caught it yet. How can I forget? How can I forget? you cast your clever net but I ain't caught it yet. Aw shucks, Aw shucks.
The person the singer loves continues to try and manipulate them, but the singer sees through their clever tactics and cannot forget their true intentions.
Lying in the sun like a fat dog with you is worth cancer.
Even something as terrible as cancer would be worth enduring if it meant being with the person the singer loves and feels comfortable enough to let their guard down around.
The few pleasures, how white my clean ass could be,
The artist finds simple pleasures in things like cleanliness, but even then the person they love has a way to ruin that innocence.
there is not yet a neat Media label to describe you and me and this age.
Love doesn't fit into neat societal labels or categories, and the artist's relationship with their love is a unique one that defies easy description.
Well fuck them.
The singer doesn't care about conforming to societal norms or labels, and has no qualms about saying so.
And on the streets there's an advert real people pickled to the bone by the vultures of culture,
Culture and society rot and erode away at people's individuality, turning them into mindless consumers who have lost touch with their own emotions and desires.
golf, hold on to yourself, so hang on, Hang on to yourself, Come on, come on, come on.
In order to preserve one's true self and individuality, one must hold tight to what makes them unique, and never let go even if tempted by distractions or societal pressures.
Make it feel like stealers tongue, a real flesh eater.
Love can be painful and consuming, like a thief that takes something away or a predator that eats away at flesh.
Fortune smiles on the the whites of the teeth, so bite me bite me bite me as aniseed candy.
Luck often favors those who appear attractive or have money, but the artist asks their love to take a chance on them and indulge in the sweet taste of aniseed candy together.
And in the parks they skate to flow it all out, It's all out, they're all out, they're all out I'm so glad they're all out.
The singer finds solace in watching others let loose and be themselves in public, and is glad to see others embracing their own individuality even in small ways.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CRISPIN MACMICHAEL SANDYS HUNT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Bolam
This song is just pure gold. I have never come across a song that makes me feel the same way this does. Its one of those rare songs that are hidden beneath the modern tripe people listen to now. This song is a diamond in the rough, a perfect example of true sound. This song may be the greatest thing i have ever heard on a different scale.
At the same time this is sad. Despite the love i have for this song, i feel like it would be best untouched. ai fear that if i over play it to much it would lose its significance. It wouldnt stand out. Whenever i listen to new songs i always compare them to stuff like this. Maybe my standards are too high now after listening to this song?