Paul Heaton formed The Housemartins in the early 1980s. The Housemartins released a number of singles and two studio albums, London 0 Hull 4 and The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death. Their most famous hit was an a-capella version of the Isley Brothers' Caravan of Love, which was a Christmas number one in the UK.
In 1988, Paul Heaton formed The Beautiful South from the ashes of The Housemartins. The Beautiful South released two top ten singles, Song for Whoever and You Keep It All In, which featured Irish singer Briana Corrigan on vocals. In 1989, the band released an album "Welcome to the Beautiful South" by which time Corrigan had joined the band as a full time member. The band's biggest success to date is the release of the single "A Little Time" in 1991. It reached number 1 on the charts. In 1993 the band released their third album, "0898 Beautiful South".
In 1994, Briana Corrigan left the band and a new female vocalist, Jacqui Abbott, was brought in. During the recording of the band's fourth album "Miaow", Heaton was increasingly irritated with the band and at one time told them to get their act together or he would leave. "Miaow" is some of Heaton's most depressing songwriting (only their fifth studio album, "Blue Is The Colour", is considered sadder). Heaton was going through a break-up with his girlfriend and other problems at the time. After the release of Miaow's third single, "Prettiest Eyes", the record company was worried about the band's sales, so they proposed a greatest hits release to save the band. Heaton hated the idea as he was trying to keep the band as far away from mainstream as possible, but nevertheless, "Carry on up the Charts" was released in December 1994 and it sold overwhelmingly, going platinum and becoming one of the biggest selling albums of all time in the UK.
The band returned to form a number one album, "Blue Is the Colour". Their sixth album, "Quench", also hit the top spot. In 2000, after the release of "Painting It Red", Jacqui Abbott left the band to care for her son. A second compilation album, "Solid Bronze", was released and two more studio albums with a new female vocalist, Alison Wheeler. The first, Gaze, became the first Beautiful South album to fail to reach the top 10, and the band were then dropped by Mercury Records.
The following year (2004), newly signed to Sony, they released the curiously named covers album Goldiggas, Headnodders and Pholk Songs, an eclectic album that featured the Beautiful South's unique take on a wide variety of tracks by the like of ELO, Blue Öyster Cult, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, S Club 7, and Rufus Wainwright. Again, despite considerable publicity and promotional TV appearances, the album failed to make the top 10.
2006 saw the release of yet another album of new material, "Superbi." Reviews were generally positive. "Superbi" has more of an alt-country sound (plenty of slide guitar, for example) than previous Beautiful South releases. The album maintains the band's trademark eccentricity, however, featuring a dobro on one song.
On the ITV documentary music series Faith & Music screened 29th October 2006, Paul talks openly and honestly about his atheism and his battle with alcoholism.
Heaton is the father of two daughters, although he has never married.
www.paulheatonmusic.co.uk
Lipstick Vogue
Paul Heaton Lyrics
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Don't say a word if there is any doubt
Sometimes I think that love is just a tumor
You've got to cut it out
You say you're sorry for the things that you've done
You say you're sorry but you know you don't mean it
I wouldn't worry, I had so much fun
It's you, not just another mouth in the lipstick vogue
It's you, not just another mouth in the lipstick vogue
Oh yeah
Get to the slot machine, almost dead on arrival
Just hit me one more time with that live wire
Maybe they told you you were only a girl in a million
You say I've got no feelings, this is a good way to kill them
Select the control and then insert the token
You want to throw me away but I'm not broken
You've got a lot to say, well, I'm not joking
There are some words they don't allow to be spoken
Sometimes I almost feel just like a human being
It's you, not just another mouth in the lipstick vogue
It's you, not just another mouth in the lipstick vogue
Not just another mouth, the last of the lipstick vogue
Not just another mouth, the last of the lipstick vogue
Not just another mouth, the last of the lipstick vogue
Not just another mouth, the last of the lipstick vogue
In Paul Heaton's song Lipstick Vogue, the lyrics express a sense of cynicism and disillusionment towards love and relationships. The chorus emphasizes the importance of individuality and uniqueness within a world where superficial beauty and conformity seem to dominate. The opening lines caution against making false statements of love, emphasizing the need for honest communication and certainty in relationships. The songwriter then raises the idea that sometimes love can be harmful, and may need to be 'cut out' like a tumor.
The second verse appears to speak to a specific event or situation, where the other person has wronged the singer but is making apologies that are insincere. The singer doesn't seem too bothered by the situation, mentioning that they had fun regardless. The following lines seem to address a power dynamic in relationships, with the other person attempting to control the singer through manipulation and deceit. The bridge of the song speaks to the experience of feeling like a 'token' or like one of many faces in a crowd, while the chorus reiterates the importance of individuality and authenticity.
Overall, Lipstick Vogue offers a critique of societal norms and expectations in relationships, while emphasizing the importance of individuality within the context of a larger cultural framework.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't say you love me when it's just a rumor
Don't make false promises of love
Don't say a word if there is any doubt
If you're unsure, it's better to keep silent
Sometimes I think that love is just a tumor
Love can be a burden that needs to be removed
You've got to cut it out
You need to remove the burden of love
You say you're sorry for the things that you've done
You apologize for your mistakes
You say you're sorry but you know you don't mean it
Your apology is insincere
I wouldn't worry, I had so much fun
I enjoyed myself, so it's not a big deal
Sometimes I almost feel just like a human being
At times, I feel like I'm normal and not just a product of society's norms
It's you, not just another mouth in the lipstick vogue
You're not just any ordinary person conforming to fashion trends
Get to the slot machine, almost dead on arrival
Life can feel hopeless and like a gamble
Just hit me one more time with that live wire
Add some excitement or danger to my life
Maybe they told you you were only a girl in a million
Others may have made you feel special, but you're not unique
You say I've got no feelings, this is a good way to kill them
Your lack of emotional attachment is hurtful
Select the control and then insert the token
Take charge of your life and make a move
You want to throw me away but I'm not broken
You may want to discard me, but I'm not useless
You've got a lot to say, well, I'm not joking
You have strong opinions, but I'm serious
There are some words they don't allow to be spoken
There are taboo or restricted topics in society
Not just another mouth, the last of the lipstick vogue
You're unique and not just conforming to societal beauty standards
Not just another mouth, the last of the lipstick vogue
You're unique and not just conforming to societal beauty standards
Not just another mouth, the last of the lipstick vogue
You're unique and not just conforming to societal beauty standards
Not just another mouth, the last of the lipstick vogue
You're unique and not just conforming to societal beauty standards
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind