In 2015 they released their second album called, Wisdom, Laughter and Lines, and in 2017 a third album called Crooked Calypso. Their fourth album 'Manchester Calling' was released in 2020.
7" Singles
Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The 12" disco mix
Just put it on the jukebox, grab yourself a lager
See what the needle predicts
We had the country and Western, a dodgy little section
With Jerry Lee Lewis and gang
"From A Jack To A King" to [?]
Dolly Parton was queen
Billy Joel the boss
We were uptown, downtown, little bit of Motown
With Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross
All the punters would sing
And you′d be joinin' in too
"Red Red Wine", "Everybody Hurts"
And "Don′t It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue"
So barman, don't be a tease
Now we're down on our knees
Plug that Wurlitzer back in
For the hes and the shes
Well, we′re begging you, please
For the Peters and Lees
Stick another 50p in
And make it out in our cheers
Then there were the tightwads, going to the jukebox
Put in solitary 5p
Worked out that Pink Floyd, anything by Meatloaf
Was longer than your [?]
Arguing the B side′s better than the A side
Denying when you actually put on
Pretending that you hate it, you don't even rate it
But catch yourself singin′ along
Neil Diamond was king
Elton John number one
It was a working-class hymn, but the one congregation
The Church really wished to be gone
We sang "Give Peace a Chance"
With Yoko Ono and John
"Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"
And "Where Have All The Good Boys Gone"
So barman, don′t be a tease
Now we're down on our knees
Plug that Wurlitzer back in
For the hes and the shes
Well, we′re begging you, please
For the Peters and Lees
Stick another 50p in
And make it out in our cheers
So barman, don't be a tease
Now we're down on our knees
Plug that Wurlitzer back in
For the hes and the shes
Well, we′re begging you, please
For the Peters and Lees
Stick another 50p in
And make it out in our cheers
The lyrics of “7" Singles” by Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott nostalgically describe the days of frequenting the local tavern, putting coins in the jukebox and singing along to the hits of the time. The song refers to the various formats of music available at the time, including the 7” single, the long-playing album and the 12” disco mix. The singer expresses how much they enjoyed the country and Western section - noting it as a “dodgy little section” that still got the whole tavern singing. The singer reminisces about the artists who dominated the charts such as Dolly Parton, Billy Joel, Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross, and how their songs were the classics that were universally loved. The tightwads are also referenced in the song - people who would only put in 5p instead of 50p and would argue passionately about which was better, the A-side or the B-side.
The song is essentially about the communal experience of enjoying music together in a public space, bonding over familiar tunes and making lasting memories. This is evident in the repeated chorus, “Stick another 50p in, and make it out in our cheers” - a call to the barman to keep the music flowing and the good times rolling. The song is full of vivid imagery that paint a picture of a bygone era where people would go to the jukebox to escape the humdrum of their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
We got the 7" single, the long playing album
Our collection of music includes both the 7" single and the long playing album.
The 12" disco mix
We also have the 12" disco mix.
Just put it on the jukebox, grab yourself a lager
When at the pub, we play our music choices on the jukebox while enjoying beer.
See what the needle predicts
We are curious to hear what song the needle will pick next.
We had the country and Western, a dodgy little section
We had a section for country and western music, even though it was not popular.
With Jerry Lee Lewis and gang
We had Jerry Lee Lewis and his band's music in this category.
"From A Jack To A King" to [?] / But, still, the whole tavern, they sang
We had various country and western songs, and people still sang along despite not recognizing some of them.
Dolly Parton was queen
Dolly Parton was a popular artist among us.
Billy Joel the boss
Billy Joel was also a favored artist.
We were uptown, downtown, little bit of Motown / With Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross
Our listening choices were diverse, ranging from uptown, downtown and a little bit of Motown, with artists like Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross.
All the punters would sing / And you′d be joinin' in too
Everyone at the pub used to sing along with the music, including us.
"Red Red Wine", "Everybody Hurts" / And "Don′t It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue"
Some of the popular songs that were sung along to were "Red Red Wine", "Everybody Hurts", and "Don't It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue".
So barman, don't be a tease / Now we're down on our knees / Plug that Wurlitzer back in / For the hes and the shes / Well, we′re begging you, please / For the Peters and Lees / Stick another 50p in / And make it out in our cheers
We are requesting the barman to plug the jukebox back in and feed in more coins so everyone can enjoy the music and cheer along.
Then there were the tightwads, going to the jukebox / Put in solitary 5p
Some people were stingy and only put in 5p when using the jukebox.
Worked out that Pink Floyd, anything by Meatloaf / Was longer than your [?]
They chose Pink Floyd or Meatloaf's songs because they were longer than others, giving them more time for their money.
Arguing the B side′s better than the A side / Denying when you actually put on
Some people argued that the B side of a song was better than the A side, but when it was played, they denied it.
Pretending that you hate it, you don′t even rate it / But catch yourself singin' along
Some people pretended to hate a particular song but found themselves singing along anyway.
Neil Diamond was king / Elton John number one
Neil Diamond and Elton John were some of the more famous artists among us.
It was a working-class hymn, but the one congregation / The Church really wished to be gone
The people in the pub considered singing along to music a type of working-class hymn, which the Church did not appreciate.
"Give Peace a Chance" / With Yoko Ono and John / "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" / And "Where Have All The Good Boys Gone"
Songs like "Give Peace a Chance" by Yoko Ono and John, "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" and "Where Have All The Good Boys Gone" were popular choices at the pub.
Writer(s): Paul Heaton
Contributed by Audrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Tonybateman110
In 1999 I lived down Grafton Street and drank in the pub (I loved beautiful south) I once went in and Paul Heaton tapped me on the shoulder, I nearly fainted, he said "I think a girls looking for you", I just fumbled my words and said something like "yes I've seen her, I love you music, I have your CDs" (I think he thought I set it up with my girlfriend). Later on I found out my girlfriend had walked past the pub with our baby, saw him outside (didn't know who he was) and asked him "is there a guy in there with a red coat on?" Paul actually went and looked. Just a simple thing like that made my world. Also here's another story, I was in my car parked outside my house and saw Paul walking down the street, I fumbled like a mad man to get my beautiful south cd in the cd player, it started playing as he walked past, he looked at me and smiled. I was too shy to ask him to sign my CDs I wanted him to offer lol. I know these aren't the most exciting story's but I was 21, loved beautiful south and it made my world and I've never forgot and never will. Thank you for them memories Paul, I just wish I got your autograph
@kennymacm3031
Hey, I was walking down Sauchihall street in Glasgow thirty odd years ago and I heard him talking to two guys as they walked along, I instantly knew his voice as I’d been a big Housemartins fan and in turn have always found him to be the most under the radar type. A HUGE talent
@paulwild3676
Is there anyone alive who can write lyrics like Paul Heaton. Utter genius.
@MaxCruiseable
then why is 3 later albums filled with duds? :(
@paulwild3676
@@MaxCruiseable He understands working class life in a way no other writer does. In comedy if you are working class you can instantly relate to Micky Flanagan. Heaton is the songwriting equivalent in my view.
@andygleaves4157
Not to the same genius standard!!
@andygleaves4157
Im replying to myself here! 😂🤣😂 best song writer over the past 30yr definitely! And so humble and never forgot his roots!
@curtishoodless9543
A band called madness
@user-zo7mr3op8i
A little back street pub. What fun we had.
@derrydoire1864
PAUL I love traveling to Derry from near Glasgow I was in Peadar O’Donnells pub there a few weeks ago on the Monday in question and the barman shouted 2 free pints for everyone in bar courtesy of your good self . An unbelievable gesture as a heard on radio it was your 60th the day before , just wanted to say thank you so much a true working class lad who has not forgotten his roots , the Guinness was great 🇮🇪☘️