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
Man's World
Paul Heaton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Starvation can't compare with the royalty's cruise
The world's not dying it's just singing the blues
It might be our turn to read the news
When it's our turn on the News at Ten
Lives'll be back above inflation again
Give a platform for the unemployed views
So if the world's just one big onion
Is that what's making half of us cry
And those rich enough to fly into space
Are happy just to watch it fry
And cause it's a man's world is that why the men
Are trying to narrow it down to just the one man
Cause if it's true that only the strong survive
He'll survive with a hell of a tan
And cause it's a mans world is that why
The men
Shaped like an apple even easier to bruise
The world stepped forward but with holes in it's shoes
World leaders meed decide who to accuse
It may be our turn to read the news
So if the world's just one big onion
Is that what's making half of us cry
And those rich enough to fly into space
Are happy just to watch it fry
And cause it's a man's world is that why the men
Are trying to narrow it down to just the one man
Cause if it's true that only the strong survive
He'll survive with a hell of a tan
And cause it's a mans world is that why
The men
The only thing that we wouldn't touch at all
Is we'd let you keep your shitty little weather report
So little clouds placed with occasional showers
Would be all that you'd have to remind you of power
And cause it's a man's world is that why the men
Are trying to narrow it down to just the one man
Cause if it's true that only the strong survive
He'll survive with a hell of a tan
And cause it's a mans world is that why
The men
The song Man's World by Paul Heaton is a commentary on the state of the world, particularly the inequalities that exist. It starts with the line "For year after year we've stomached these views," which suggests a sense of resignation, that people have become accustomed to the unfairness in the world. He then draws a contrast between the luxury of the wealthy and the poverty and starvation experienced by many others. The line "The world's not dying it's just singing the blues" is interesting as it suggests that the problems facing the world are not necessarily insurmountable, but rather a result of attitudes and choices.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, with the repetition of the line "And cause it's a man's world is that why the men are trying to narrow it down to just the one man." This highlights the patriarchal nature of society, and the tendency for those in power to try to maintain and consolidate that power. The line "He'll survive with a hell of a tan" is a reference to the idea that those who are wealthy and powerful can afford to spend their time leisurely, soaking up the sun, while the rest of the world struggles.
The final verse is particularly cynical, suggesting that even the weather report is something that those in power are unwilling to relinquish control over. The line "So little clouds placed with occasional showers would be all that you'd have to remind you of power" is a commentary on the way that even the most basic information can be manipulated to maintain power.
Line by Line Meaning
For year after year we've stomached these views
We have endured and accepted these opinions for a long time
Starvation can't compare with the royalty's cruise
The wealthy are living lavish lives that people in poverty cannot imagine or afford
The world's not dying it's just singing the blues
The world is not actually dying, but is troubled by problems and struggles
It might be our turn to read the news
We might have the opportunity to present news from our perspective
When it's our turn on the News at Ten
When we have the chance to present news in a prominent time slot
Lives'll be back above inflation again
Quality of life will improve and exceed the rate of inflation
Give a platform for the unemployed views
Provide a space for those who are jobless to express themselves and their experiences
You don't beat recession forming orderly queues
A simple, organized approach won't solve the economic crisis
So if the world's just one big onion
If the world is like an onion, containing many layers and complexities
Is that what's making half of us cry
Is this why many people are struggling and suffering?
And those rich enough to fly into space
The wealthy, who can afford luxurious trips to space
Are happy just to watch it fry
Are content to watch the world suffer and fail
And cause it's a man's world is that why the men are trying to narrow it down to just the one man
Because society is male-dominated, are men trying to limit power to one singular man?
Cause if it's true that only the strong survive, He'll survive with a hell of a tan
If the fact that strength is necessary for survival is true, that man will survive with great success
Shaped like an apple even easier to bruise
The world, like an apple, is fragile and susceptible to harm
The world stepped forward but with holes in it's shoes
The world is trying to progress, but with many limitations and challenges along the way
World leaders meed decide who to accuse
Leaders of countries must determine who to blame for various issues
It may be our turn to read the news
We may have the chance to present news and information to the public
The only thing that we wouldn't touch at all
The only thing we would not control or manipulate
Is we'd let you keep your shitty little weather report
Is the weather forecast, which we will not change or affect
So little clouds placed with occasional showers
The weather forecast will likely still include some clouds and intermittent rain
Would be all that you'd have to remind you of power
The only remaining indication of power and control would be the ability to predict the weather
Contributed by Joseph P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yessan Know
How can one man write so many catchy tunes and lace them all with such great lyrics?
joseph roantree
i so love the voice of jacqui abbott
OxtailNightmare
Awesome!! Love this song on Wisdom, Laughter and Lines!
JankyTeeth
this song makes me want to dig out my back collection put on my headphones and disconnect from everything truely amazing one day i will get to see you live when i am better :) keep up the good work
I see no god up Here
I hope you get better soon so you can see them. I saw them last night at the stone roses. Amazing ❤️❤️
Michael O'Brien
The best singer/songwriter in Britain 🇬🇧 simples as that.
Sail Fish
Love this song and video.
Kathryn Sanday
I love the 'Moscow' destination, Jackie's hair, jumper, leopard print scarf, the cardigans, the kebab shop...the northern humour...the list is endless <3 you always make me crack a smile...oh the music is top notch too :)
goupil reynard fox
another beauty from paul and Jacqui
Ian rhodes
fantastic love it :)