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
Mitch
Paul Heaton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like how come I turned good looks into frail and sick?
Not only did I blind the blind
But I also took their stick
Crippled myself with a baseball bat and a brick
Most other men like to whine about the seven year itch
They're the same men who call you liar and bitch
And not facing a ditch, Mitch
And they're a lot poorer than me, I'm incredibly rich
Until I watch them lower my coffin
Deep down in the grave
Until I hear the digging sound of soil and spade
There doesn't seem a single person
Able to persuade
This self-indulgent idiot's the easiest laid
Most other men like to whine about the seven year itch
They're the same men who call you liar and bitch
But you're the reason I'm still here
And not facing a ditch, Mitch
And they're a lot poorer than me, I'm incredibly rich
If there's a way to pay you back before I die
If there's one little prayer I can answer, I'll try
Write these words in cloud
On the bluest of skies
The best pair of ears to a man who just wanted to cry
How did I screw up and throw such a beautiful chance?
Turned down every women that asked me up to dance
Yes stab me with the truth
Use a sword use a lance
I'd still think two steps back is the way to advance
Most other men like to whine about the seven year itch
They're the same men who call you liar and bitch
But you're the reason I'm still here
And not facing a ditch, Mitch
And they're a lot poorer than me, I'm incredibly rich
If there's a way to pay you back before I die
If there's one little prayer I can answer, I'll try
Write these words in cloud
On the bluest of skies
The best pair of ears to a man who just wanted to cry
In "Mitch" by Paul Heaton, the singer addresses someone named Mitch, thanking them for their help in keeping him alive and regretting his mistakes that have led him to such a difficult place. He asks how he can turn his failures into successes, and laments his missed opportunities with women and the self-destructive behavior that has left him "frail and sick." Yet through it all, Mitch has been a constant support, and the singer recognizes that without them, he would be in a much worse place.
The lyrics of "Mitch" are both personal and universal. They speak to the struggles of self-doubt, self-sabotage, and the search for redemption that many people experience. The repeated refrain of "most other men like to whine about the seven year itch" suggests that the singer sees himself as different from those who complain without taking action, and that Mitch has provided him with the strength to keep going.
In the end, the singer expresses a desire to repay Mitch for their help and to make amends for his mistakes. The final image of writing on the bluest skies conveys a sense of hope, as if there is a way to move forward and make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I turn this red cross, back into a tick?
I messed up badly and want to turn things back to the way they were before.
Like how come I turned good looks into frail and sick?
I don't understand how I let myself become so weak and broken.
Not only did I blind the blind
I didn't just hurt myself, I also hurt others who were already struggling.
But I also took their stick
I made things worse by taking away what little support they had.
Crippled myself with a baseball bat and a brick
I caused my own downfall, using things that were supposed to be helpful as instruments of destruction.
Most other men like to whine about the seven year itch
Other men complain about minor problems, while I have much bigger issues.
They're the same men who call you liar and bitch
These men are quick to judge and insult others, especially women.
But you're the reason I'm still here
You are the one person who has kept me going through everything.
And not facing a ditch, Mitch
Without you, I could have easily ended up in a much worse place.
And they're a lot poorer than me, I'm incredibly rich
Compared to those men, I am actually quite fortunate and successful.
Until I watch them lower my coffin
I won't truly understand the gravity of my situation until I am dead and gone.
Deep down in the grave
My final resting place, where all my troubles will finally be over.
Until I hear the digging sound of soil and spade
The sound of digging will remind me that I am on a one-way journey with no turning back.
There doesn't seem a single person
It's hard to find anyone who can truly help me now.
Able to persuade
Nobody can convince me to change or see things differently.
This self-indulgent idiot's the easiest laid
I am too focused on my own problems and desires to see that I am being taken advantage of.
If there's a way to pay you back before I die
I want to do something to thank you for everything you have done for me, while I still can.
If there's one little prayer I can answer, I'll try
I want to make up for my mistakes, even in a small way.
Write these words in cloud
I want to write a message that will last forever, that can be seen by everyone.
On the bluest of skies
I want my message to be seen in the most beautiful and purest way possible.
The best pair of ears to a man who just wanted to cry
I want to give you the gift of listening, to be there for you when you need to express yourself.
How did I screw up and throw such a beautiful chance?
I had something good, but I ruined it with my own actions and decisions.
Turned down every women that asked me up to dance
I missed out on potential opportunities and relationships because of my own insecurities and fears.
Yes stab me with the truth
I want you to be honest with me, even if it hurts or is hard to hear.
Use a sword use a lance
I want you to be brutally honest, to cut through my defenses and excuses.
I'd still think two steps back is the way to advance
Even with the truth, I may still struggle to change and improve myself.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE ROTHERAY, PAUL HEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Dizzknee
One of the best albums I own.
@Rich74
Paul’s best work
@Dezzaster2
thank you so much ive been lookin for this song since i was like 12 years old .... i am now 23.
@creepycraig73
What are the guys from The Vacant Lot doing in this?
@TB897
he released it as Biscuit Boy aka. Crackerman. but nobody really knew who it was so it didn't take off, not even with Beautiful South fans.