Drip Fed Fred
Madness Lyrics


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We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

Gentlemen and assassins and ladies of the night
I call upon you this evening in the hope of shedding some light
I can't go into detail or finger unfounded fools
But there are some here amongst us that are not playing to the rules

I've rounded up the lowlife and local CID
Offered a free massage or else the third degree
There is no simple solution in this life we lead
So make things easy for yourself to the baronage concede

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

Peace shall not prevail in Purley came the stark warning today
From his hospital bed Drip fed Fred vowed he was here to stay
I'll tell you something for nothing (he's claimed) never in all my days
Have I felt so intimidated by the cheap tactics on display

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

And approaching the pulpit the right honourable Reverend Greene

We are gathered here this evening to pay our due respects
To Drip Fed Fred who late last night fell out of his prison bed
We know the nonce behind it who slipped the night PD
The word is out now without doubt you will answer to me

Gentlemen and assassins and ladies of the night
I call upon you this evening in the hope of shedding new light
There is a simple solution one called honour amongst thieves
So we'll take pity on your souls and only cap your knees

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass




All stand and raise your champagne glass
All stand and raise your champagne glass

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Drip Fed Fred" by Madness paints a story of a group of people who want Freddie as their leader. They see him as a man of class who can lead them better than anyone else. However, the lyrics also suggest that there are some people among them who are not playing by the rules. The singer tries to make things right by rounding up the lowlifes and the police, but he still cannot find a simple solution to the problem.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that there is a conflict going on between the characters, and some of them are resorting to cheap tactics to get what they want. The lyrics also introduce the character of Drip Fed Fred, who is apparently a prisoner and has been intimidated by the cheap tactics on display. Despite this, he vows to stay and fight.


The lyrics of "Drip Fed Fred" are full of metaphors and symbolism that paint a picture of a world that is dark and full of turmoil. The song is a commentary on the state of society and how people are often forced to resort to extreme measures to get ahead. Ultimately, it is a call for unity and the need for people to come together to make things right.


Line by Line Meaning

We want Freddie for our leader
The singer and their group want Freddie to be their leader


Freddie is a man of class
Freddie is a distinguished, high-class person


All stand and raise your champagne glass
Everyone present should stand and lift their glasses in a toast


Gentlemen and assassins and ladies of the night
The artist is addressing a mixed group of people, including wealthy gentlemen, murderers, and prostitutes


I call upon you this evening in the hope of shedding some light
The artist is asking for help to uncover the truth about something


I can't go into detail or finger unfounded fools
The singer can't give specifics or blame people without evidence


But there are some here amongst us that are not playing to the rules
Some people in the group are breaking the rules or not behaving properly


I've rounded up the lowlife and local CID
The artist has gathered criminals and police for questioning


Offered a free massage or else the third degree
The artist is using both friendly and forceful interrogation techniques


There is no simple solution in this life we lead
The artist acknowledges that life can be complicated


So make things easy for yourself to the baronage concede
Agree to the people in power to make your life easier


Peace shall not prevail in Purley came the stark warning today
There was a warning that there will not be peace in the city of Purley


From his hospital bed Drip fed Fred vowed he was here to stay
Drip Fed Fred, who is in the hospital, declared that he will not leave


I'll tell you something for nothing (he's claimed) never in all my days
Fred claims that he has never experienced something so intimidating


Have I felt so intimidated by the cheap tactics on display
Fred is scared by the ugly strategies being used against him


And approaching the pulpit the right honourable Reverend Greene
Reverend Greene is coming up to speak from the podium


We are gathered here this evening to pay our due respects
The group is meeting to honor someone who has passed away


To Drip Fed Fred who late last night fell out of his prison bed
The deceased, Drip Fed Fred, fell out of his bed in jail


We know the nonce behind it who slipped the night PD
The group knows who caused Fred's death and will seek revenge


The word is out now without doubt you will answer to me
The artist is threatening whoever is responsible for Fred's death


There is a simple solution one called honour amongst thieves
The artist is suggesting that people be honorable, even if they are criminals


So we'll take pity on your souls and only cap your knees
If people confess and show regret, they will only be harmed slightly




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: CATHAL JOSEPH SMYTH, CHRISTOPHER JOHN FOREMAN, DANIEL MARK WOODGATE, GRAHAM MCPHERSON, LEE JAY THOMPSON, MARK WILLIAM BEDFORD, MICHAEL BARSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@pandujanaloka2996

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

Gentlemen and assassins, and ladies of the night
I call upon you this evening in the hope of shedding some light
I can't go into detail or finger unfounded fools
But there are some here amongst us that are not playing to the rules

I've rounded up the low-life and local CID
Offered a free massage or else the third degree
There is no simple solution in this life we lead
So make things easy for yourself to the baronage concede

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

Peace shall not prevail in Purley, came the stark warning today
From his hospital bed Drip-Fed Fred vowed he was here to stay
"I'll tell you something for nothing", he claimed, "Never in all my days
Have I felt so intimidated by the cheap tactics on display"

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

And approaching the pulpit, the right Honourable Reverend Greene
We're gathered here this evening to pay our due respects
To Drip-Fed Fred, who late last night fell out of his prison bed
We know the nonce behind it, who slipped the night PD, ooh
The word is out now, without doubt you will answer to me

Gentlemen and assassins, and ladies of the night
I call upon you this evening in the hope of shedding new light
There is a simple solution, one called honour amongst thieves
So we'll take pity on your souls and only cap your knees

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass



@oceanman943

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

[Verse 1: Ian Dury]
Gentlemen and assassins and ladies of the night
I call upon you this evening in the hope of shedding some light
I can't go into detail or finger unfounded fools
But there are some here amongst us that are not playing to the rules
I've rounded up the low-life and local CID
Offered a free massage or else the third degree
There is no simple solution in this life we lead
So make things easy for yourself to the baronage concede

[Chorus]
We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

[Verse 2: Ian Dury]
Peace shall not prevail in Purley came the stark warning today
From his hospital bed Drip Fed Fred vowed he was here to stay
"I'll tell you something for nothing", he claimed, "Never in all my days
Have I felt so intimidated by the cheap tactics on display"
Ahh-ah-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah-ah

[Chorus]
We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

[Verse 3]
And approaching the pulpit, the Right Honourable Reverend Greene
"We're gathered here this evening to pay our due respects
To Drip Fed Fred who late last night fell out of his prison bed
We know the nonce behind it, who slipped the night PD - ooh
The word is out now without doubt you will answer to me"

[Ian Dury]
Gentlemen and assassins and ladies of the night
I call upon you this evening in the hope of shedding new light
There is a simple solution, one called honour amongst thieves
So we'll take pity on your souls and only cap your knees

Ahh-ah-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah-ah
[Chorus]
We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass

We want Freddie for our leader
Freddie is a man of class
We want Freddie for our leader
All stand and raise your champagne glass...



All comments from YouTube:

@Dharmaville

underrated song even for Madness fans, and a perfect sendoff for Ian Dury

@theworldaccordingto4555

I agree!

@zybrid204

Who?

@CalifornianCuttlefish

@@zybrid204 Ian dury

@tadroid3858

Holy shite! 25 years, now. Peace to Mr. Dury and all those who didn't make to 2024. Love Madness from college days. Thanks!!

@CalifornianCuttlefish

Just discovered this song today and I think it's an absolute masterpiece.

@ziggypop8106

Later Madness videos are generally quite sinister and full of theatrics, brilliant and unique. There was never any other band like them.

@lemsip207

I didn't take much notice of them when I only had a radio and not a TV set apart from a few songs such as Night Boat to Cairo, Our House and Baggy Trousers and then once I got a TV set and video recorder and borrowed NOW VHS tapes and then later on cable TV so I could watch music channels a whole new world of them opened up to me.

@ziggypop8106

@@lemsip207 Aww that's great. They're a very visual band as well as pleasing to the ear.

@lemsip207

@@ziggypop8106 I think that Madness made the best videos in the 80's and that was at a time when promo videos were at their best for any band or singer. Many bands just make videos of themselves playing live. Madness also have speaking at the beginning of each single as a catch.

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