Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

20 ft. high on Blackpool promenade
Fake royalty second hand sequin facade
Limited face paint and dyed black quiff
Overweight and out of date
Overweight and out of date

Oh well
American trilogy in Lancashire pottery
American trilogy in Lancashire pottery
Is so fucking funny, don't you know
Is so fucking funny, don't you know

All American trilogy in used up cars and bottled beer
All American trilogy the future's dead, fundamentally
It's so fucking funny, it's absurd
It's so fucking funny, it's absurd





20 ft. high on Blackpool promenade

Overall Meaning

"Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier" is a song by the Manic Street Preachers, released on their album "Gold Against the Soul" in 1993. The song is a criticism of the pettiness and cheap imitation of the entertainment industry, as highlighted in the first two lines of the lyrics, "20 ft. high on Blackpool promenade, fake royalty second hand sequin facade." The mention of Blackpool pier, an iconic seaside attraction in Northern England, is significant as it represents the soullessness of commercial entertainment. The Elvis impersonator, with his limited face paint, dyed black quiff, and overweight appearance, represents a caricatured version of the once-great Elvis Presley that is now only a distant memory.


The song also references Elvis' song "American Trilogy," which the impersonator performs in Lancashire pottery. This juxtaposition of American culture and British industry seems comical to the writer of the song, as the two cultures seem so far removed from one another. The used up cars and bottled beer mentioned in the song add to the absurdity of the performance.


The overall message of "Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier" is a disapproval of the shallow, commercialized entertainment industry and its lack of authenticity. By using the symbol of Elvis Presley, a true icon of American culture who himself was exploited by the entertainment industry, the Manic Street Preachers are making a statement about the dangers of selling out.


Line by Line Meaning

20 ft. high on Blackpool promenade
A performer is standing 20 feet high on the promenade in Blackpool, likely impersonating Elvis Presley.


Fake royalty second hand sequin facade
The performer's costume is adorned with second-hand sequins, making him look like fake royalty.


Limited face paint and dyed black quiff
The performer's face paint is minimal and his hair is dyed black, likely imitating Elvis's signature hairstyle.


Overweight and out of date
The performer is overweight and his impersonation is outdated.


Oh well
An expression of resignation or acceptance.


American trilogy in Lancashire pottery
The song 'American Trilogy' is being played in a setting unlikely to be associated with American culture, such as a pottery shop in Lancashire.


American trilogy in Lancashire pottery
The song 'American Trilogy' is being played in a setting unlikely to be associated with American culture, such as a pottery shop in Lancashire.


Is so fucking funny, don't you know
The irony of the situation is not lost on the singer, as he finds it amusing and perhaps even ridiculous.


All American trilogy in used up cars and bottled beer
The song 'American Trilogy' is being played in settings associated with blue-collar America, such as in old cars and with cheap beer.


All American trilogy the future's dead, fundamentally
The singer believes that the American Trilogy, and perhaps American culture as a whole, is fundamentally flawed and will lead to its downfall.


It's so fucking funny, it's absurd
The singer finds the situation ridiculous and humorous, bordering on the absurd.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRADFIELD, EDWARDS, JONES, MOORE

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

Dead channel

20ft. high on Blackpool promenade
Fake royalty second hand sequin facade
Limited face paint and dyed black quiff
Overweight and out of date

20ft. high on Blackpool promenade
Fake royalty second hand sequin facade
Limited face paint and dyed black quiff
Overweight and out of date

Oh well

American trilogy in Lancashire Pottery
American trilogy in Lancashire Pottery
Is so fucking funny, don't you know
Is so fucking funny, don't you know

All American trilogy in used up cars and bottled beer
All American trilogy the futures dead, fundamentally
It's so fucking funny, it's absurd
It's so fucking funny, it's absurd

20ft. high on Blackpool promenade.

I wish I was in Dixie
Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie Land, I'll take my stand
To live and die in Dixie

Manic Street Preachers - Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier (1996)



All comments from YouTube:

adamscott

I remember learning to play this whole album on guitar from the tab book, the playing was so awesome - and everything else of course

Nick R O'Philiac

An awesome album, by any measure. Yes, Holy Bible WAS a masterpiece in a very particular way but THIS was a flawless, crowd-pleasing follow-up, showing a new lease of life after and despite the disappearance of Richey, akin to New Order finding their own way after Ian Curtis

SNICOVERS

Great explanation mate.

hellohellohello

I was gonna comment but no point now lol I first listened to this album on tape on a greek boat cruise laid at front of boat in the sun, the trip wouldn't of been the same without this album

Kevin Kibble

They're both so different, yet they complement each other so perfectly. The darkness surrounding The Holy Bible, both on and off the record, is followed up by this poignantly defiant record. It's almost like a sequel to The Holy Bible where everything gets resolved.

Nick R O'Philiac

@Snake Pliskin Very nicely put mate. The Silverchair reference is outside of my listening experience but the notion of growth, moving on and not being a slave to your history, whilst still retaining a respect & affection for it, applies 100% to this album. Similarly, also, to their decision to play the whole of the Holy Bible live on tour 20-something years after its release.

Snake Pliskin

brother, my thoughts Exactly. brings a beautiful tear to my eye, it does. on a different and lower level, there is something in the Silverchair album, Diorama, that strikes a slightly similar chord. something about ppl coming thru some f'ed up sh*t in their early-on, then learning, loving, growing, moving on while still remembering the past: it makes for beautiful, nostalgic yet not melodramatic, but rather poignantly Real and Experienced art.

Philip Kearney

As a 19 year old who'd grown tired of house and the rave seen my forty year old father gave me a copy of this on cassette in the summer of 96 and I fell head over heels with British music again thankyou the manics😚

W S

Great Dad!

CeeBee- Guitar.

Used to listen to this and theHoly Bible no stop (on cassette kids)!
The 90's were awesome😎🎶🎸🎵

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