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
You Keep It All In
Paul Heaton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You keep it all in
You know your problem
You keep it all in
That's right
The conversation we had last night
When all I wanted to do was
Knife you in the heart
I kept it all in
You know your problem
You keep it all in
You know your problem
You keep it all in
Midnight, a husband getting ready to fight
A daughter sleeps alone with the light
Turned on, she bears but
Keeps it all in
Just like that murder in '73
Just like that robbery in '62
With all there things that have happened to me
I kept it all in
Why do you keep on telling me now
You know your problem
You keep it all in
You know your problem
You keep it all in
That's sweet
That conversation we had last week
When you gagged and bound me up to my seat
You're right, I do
I keep it all in
The song "You Keep It All In" by Paul Heaton is a poignant reflection on the dangers of internalizing emotions and not expressing them. The lyrics talk about how many people tend to keep their problems, frustrations, and hurts to themselves, and how this can lead to explosive outbursts or even violence. The first verse is about the singer's own experience of wanting to hurt someone he loved but keeping it inside. He sings, "The conversation we had last night, when all I wanted to do was knife you in the heart, I kept it all in." This demonstrates the idea that sometimes we have violent or aggressive thoughts towards others, but instead of expressing them, we keep them bottled up inside.
The second verse talks about a family situation, where a husband is getting ready to fight and his daughter is alone in her room, afraid but keeping it all in. This shows the damage that can be caused by not communicating openly and honestly with those closest to us. The final verse speaks to the broader societal implications of this issue, referencing specific crimes like a murder in '73 and a robbery in '62, which might have been prevented if the perpetrators had shared their feelings and frustrations with others instead of resorting to acts of violence.
Overall, "You Keep It All In" is a powerful reminder that it is important to express our emotions and communicate honestly with others. Holding everything inside can lead to explosive outbursts or even dangerous behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
You know your problem
You are aware of what's troubling you
You keep it all in
You don't express your emotions or issues to anyone
That's right
Acknowledging the truth of the situation
The conversation we had last night
Recent discussion between two people
When all I wanted to do was
Expressing the frustration and anger towards the other person
Knife you in the heart
Metaphor to describe hurting the other person emotionally
I kept it all in
Choosing not to show or express how one feels
Midnight, a husband getting ready to fight
Setting the scene for a domestic dispute
A daughter sleeps alone with the light
The daughter is scared and alone because of the argument
Turned on, she bears but
She is brave but still keeps her emotions hidden
Just like that murder in '73
Referencing a past traumatic event
Just like that robbery in '62
Another past incident that has stayed with him
With all there things that have happened to me
Reflecting on previous experiences that have affected him negatively
I kept it all in
Despite everything, he has still refused to express his emotions
Why do you keep on telling me now
Asking why someone is finally revealing their emotions
That's sweet
Sarcastically acknowledging the absurdity of the situation
That conversation we had last week
Recent discussion between two people
When you gagged and bound me up to my seat
Exaggerating the level of control the other person has over them
You're right, I do
Agreeing with the other person's observations
I keep it all in
Once again stating that they do not express their emotions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE ROTHERAY, PAUL HEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrycjabanaszak5820
You know your problem
You keep it all in
You know your problem
You keep it all in
That's right
The conversation we had last night
When all I wanted to do was
Knife you in the heart
I kept it all in
You know your problem
You keep it all in
You know your problem
You keep it all in
Midnight, a husband getting ready to fight
A daughter sleeps alone with the light
Turned on, she bears but
Keeps it all in
Just like that murder in '73
Just like that robbery in '62
With all there things that have happened to me
I kept it all in
Why do you keep on telling me now
You know your problem
You keep it all in
You know your problem
You keep it all in
That's sweet
That conversation we had last week
When you gagged and bound me up to my seat
You're right, I do
I keep it all in
@Donna.M
Still listening to this brilliant track in 2023 we drive everywhere blasting carry on up the charts out. They don't make music like this anymore would love to have seen them live. If they ever made a come back one last tour I would be there. ❤
@LHC-mx6ru
The South do a good job now, just saw them at Rewind
@Donna.M
@LHC-mx6ru yeah I found out last minute Paul Heaton was performing at Newcastle arena they were brilliant got a pal to get me some videos. Gutted I missed the show.
@mattsearle1
Saw (a version of) them at Glastonbury 2022 and they were unbelievable. Billed as Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbot, but yeah they just played all the Beautiful South bangers with a couple of Housemartin's tunes thrown in. They cancelled the kids due to Jacquie's health, but if they do it again look out for it.
@timvoridis1120
The lyrics of their songs are as sharp as a razor blade. An unforgettable, joyful and playful tune of the late '80s-early '90s.
@williamveres2737
Sharper !
@nickcytacki2178
Good old bit of English Wit throughout
@jacksingh4033
Music hold no barriers my favourite song
@carolinejones9687
Nnbbp
@charlesmcwilliam5785
Well said my friend xx