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.
Sally Dances
Longpigs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes
I could of turned you on
Honey
This time
With your big strong hands
Baby
If I could chop them off
Honey
I'm stuck
But you could clear me out
But I needed
A summertime
Saw you falling
Saw you drown
Sally dances but she don't know no
Sally dances but she don't grow no
She can't show me
If
Somehow
I could make you feel clean
In my arms
If I could stop you shaking
Baby
'Til then
I'll keep it in my hand
'Cause you needed
A summertime
Saw you falling Saw you down
Sally dances but she don't grow no
Takes her chances but she don't grow no
Sally dances but she don't know no
She don't show me how
Baby
Somehow
If I could find the point
Honey
I'm too fat
To get up off my hair
And I'm jealous want to feel her fuck
Give me presents and glisten
Sally dances but she don't know no
Sally dances but she don't blow
Sally prances but she don't grow no
Sally chances but she don't know no
She don't grow no, no
Baby
With your big strong hands
I can feel the sun
Make me understand
The lyrics of "Sally Dances" by Longpigs are quite cryptic and open to interpretation. However, there are some themes that stand out. The song seems to be about a relationship that is toxic and dysfunctional. The singer has feelings for a woman named Sally, but their relationship is not healthy. He wishes he could make her feel clean, stop her from shaking, and clear him out. It's unclear what he means by these statements, but it seems like he wants to fix Sally, or perhaps himself.
The chorus provides some insight into the title character of the song. Sally dances, but she doesn't know no. This could mean that Sally is going through the motions, but not really living her life. She's not growing, changing, or making progress. The line "she don't show me how" could be interpreted as Sally not opening herself up to the singer. She's closed off, and he can't see who she really is.
The final verse is perhaps the most confusing. The singer mentions being "too fat to get up off my hair," which is a strange way to express feeling stuck or trapped. He also mentions being jealous and wanting to feel her "f---." It's unclear if he means he wants to be physically intimate with Sally or if this is a metaphor for something else. The final lines of the song, "Make me understand," could be interpreted as a plea for clarity or comprehension.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby
Addressing a person affectionately
Sometimes
Occasionally
I could of turned you on
I had the ability to arouse you
Honey
Addressing a person affectionately
This time
Currently
With your big strong hands
Using hands to hold or touch
Baby
Addressing a person affectionately
Somehow
In some way or another
If I could chop them off
Expressing dislike or disgust towards someone's hands
Honey
Addressing a person affectionately
I'm stuck
Feeling trapped or unable to progress
But you could clear me out
You have the ability to help me
But I needed
Expressing a desire or requirement
A summertime
A period of warmth and happiness
Saw you falling
Witnessed your downfall
Saw you drown
Observed you struggling or failing
Sally dances but she don't know no
Sally dances without knowing anything significant
Sally dances but she don't grow no
Sally dances but doesn't progress or change
She can't show me
She is unable to demonstrate or display anything to me
If
Expressing a hypothetical situation
Somehow
In some way or another
I could make you feel clean
I could help you feel pure or free from guilt
In my arms
Holding someone affectionately
If I could stop you shaking
If I could prevent you from trembling
Baby
Addressing a person affectionately
'Til then
Until that time
I'll keep it in my hand
I'll hold onto it for now
'Cause you needed
Giving a reason or explanation
A summertime
A period of warmth and happiness
Saw you falling Saw you down
Witnessed your downfall or downward spiral
Sally dances but she don't grow no
Sally dances but doesn't progress or develop
Takes her chances but she don't grow no
Sally takes risks but doesn't gain anything from it
Sally dances but she don't know no
Sally dances without understanding anything significant
She don't show me how
She doesn't demonstrate or display anything to me
Baby
Addressing a person affectionately
Somehow
In some way or another
If I could find the point
If I could understand the meaning or significance
Honey
Addressing a person affectionately
I'm too fat
Feeling overweight or unattractive
To get up off my hair
Unable to move or get free from something
And I'm jealous want to feel her fuck
Feeling envious of someone's sexual encounters
Give me presents and glisten
Asking for gifts and shininess
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CRISPIN MACMICHAEL SANDYS HUNT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind