His output has ranged from bluegrass to studio-oriented dub reggae, but his core output comfortably straddles folk, rock, and even some country. His lyrics, simply and laconically voiced, have managed to speak to Australian experiences and history perhaps more broadly and directly than any other artist..
Tighten Up
Paul Kelly and The Coloured Girls Lyrics
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Scrapping in the back yard - 4 Be 2
Daddy's smokin' motor didn't make it up the hill
Mama can't pay, she got one day, she got no money for the telephone bill
Tighten up, tighten up
Everything falls apart
Mama says to Papa now - Where ya been?
Mama get excited, she having an attack
Mama spins round, daddy hits the ground
For too long now she been taking up the slack
Tighten up, tighten up
Everything falls apart
Jimmy coming home now - see him on the run
Mama's going through the cupboards--looking for a can
Daddy on a ladder, T.V. on the blink
Mama can't think, Daddy's feeling like a drink
And all the dirty dishes Lord are piling up the sink
Tighten up, tighten up
Everything falls apart
Tighten up, tighten up
Everything falls apart
The lyrics of Paul Kelly and The Coloured Girls's song "Tighten Up" paint a picture of a family falling apart. The song begins with a description of the family's financial struggle. Mama can't pay the telephone bill, and Daddy's smoking car failed to make it up the hill. The family's dire situation is further emphasized by the fact that Mama doesn't like her son's holey shoes, and the children are left to play with 4 Be 2 in the backyard.
As the song progresses, the tension between the parents rises, with Mama becoming increasingly frustrated with Daddy's absence. The chorus "Tighten up, tighten up, everything falls apart" serves to remind the listener of the fragility of the family's situation.
The climax of the song comes when Mama has an attack and Daddy hits the ground. Mama has been taking up the slack for too long, and the family is reaching its breaking point. The final verse describes the chaotic state of the home, with dirty dishes piling up in the sink and Daddy feeling like a drink.
Overall, "Tighten Up" is a powerful commentary on the struggles faced by working-class families. The song highlights the emotional toll of financial hardship and the impact it can have on family dynamics.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama don't like your holey shoes
Mother disapproves of your shoes that have holes in them.
Scrapping in the back yard - 4 Be 2
Making a fuss in the backyard, referring to the band called 4 Be 2.
Daddy's smokin' motor didn't make it up the hill
Father's car is unable to climb up the hill due to its engine smoking and being faulty.
Mama can't pay, she got one day, she got no money for the telephone bill
Mother is unable to make payment for the telephone bill and has only one day to do so.
Tighten up, tighten up
Get serious and prepared.
Everything falls apart
Everything is deteriorating or breaking down.
Mama says to Papa now - Where ya been?
Mother asks Father where he has been.
Papa says I'm sorry mama, I got a full skin
Father apologizes to Mother, stating he had a full drink.
Mama get excited, she having an attack
Mother becomes overexcited and has an attack.
Mama spins round, daddy hits the ground
Mother turns around and Father falls to the ground.
For too long now she been taking up the slack
Mother has been doing more than her share for too long.
Jimmy coming home now - see him on the run
Jimmy is coming home quickly and in a hurry.
Mama's going through the cupboards--looking for a can
Mother is searching through the cupboards for a can of food or drink.
Daddy on a ladder, T.V. on the blink
Father is on a ladder and the television is malfunctioning or not working.
Mama can't think, Daddy's feeling like a drink
Mother is unable to think, and Father feels like having another drink.
And all the dirty dishes Lord are piling up the sink
Numerous dirty dishes are accumulating in the sink.
Tighten up, tighten up
Get serious and prepared.
Everything falls apart
Everything is deteriorating or breaking down.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL MAURICE KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind