The Thompsons recorded three albums I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (1974), Hokey Pokey (1975) and Pour Down Like Silver (1975) before they decided to leave the music business and moved to a Sufi commune in East Anglia. Songwriting was by Richard throughout, lead vocals generally by Linda,and backing by a consistent core band of English folk-rock stalwarts
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight showed a clear development from Richard Thompson's first solo effort Henry The Human Fly with Linda's vocals adding grace, as well as the opportunity for Richard to write from a female perspective. Although Thompson's trademark gloom is already evident, the lightness and beauty of the arrangements counterbalances this to produce moments of great beauty. The use of brass, from the renowned CWS silver band in particular takes forward Thompson's continuing crusade to find a more contemporary and ordinary expression of Englishness in music,(as opposed to say the forays into the Morris form of his Fairport contemporary Ashley Hutchings, solo and with The Albion Band). The next year's release, Hokey Pokey to some extent repeats the formula, although it is improved in production values, and is stylistically more adventurous still. A Heart Needs a Home is a minor miracle of songwriting, expressing the longing for love without cynicism and has a standout multi-tracked vocal from Linda.
Pour Down Like Silver extended the reach of Richard and Linda's music, and without the occasional weaker tracks of the preceding releases. Here in the writing cynicism is balanced with humour, (Hard Luck Stories, Streets of Paradise), and love and need is expressed directly, and to touching effect ( Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair, Beat the Retreat). The impact of Sufism on their lives is expressed in Night Comes In, which borrows imagery from Sufi mystic poetry, and the practice of finding union with the Spirit through dance. The playing, arrangements and production are uniformly excellent throughout.
In 1978, Thompson decided to take his family out of the commune and go back to their old home in Hampstead. He also decided to return to making music, partly because, as he commented at the time, he'd come to realise "that [he] wasn't really any good at anything else".
Re-uniting the core band, the resulting album, First Light was warmly received by the critics but did not sell particularly well. Neither did its follow up, 1979's harder-edged and more cynical Sunnyvista. Chrysalis Records did not take up their option to renew the contract, and the Thompsons found themselves without a contract, but not without admirers.
About a year later Joe Boyd signed the Thompsons to his small Hannibal label and a new album was recorded. Shoot Out the Lights included new recordings of many of the songs recorded in 1980, and was clearly a very strong album. Linda Thompson was pregnant during the sessions, and so the album's release was held back until the Thompsons could tour in support of the new album. Linda's pregnancy also meant that she did not sing on all of the songs.
On its release in 1982, Shoot Out the Lights was lauded by critics and sold fairly well - especially in the USA. The Thompsons, now a couple for professional purposes only, toured the USA to support the album and then went their separate ways. Both the album and their live shows were well received by the American media, and Shoot Out the Lights effectively relaunched their career - just as their marriage was falling apart.
As against the first phase of their career, this last offering is sparer, without the instrumental augmentation that characterized the earlier albums, much more rock orientated, and altogether more ferocious. Although Thompson in interviews has always resisted over-personal interpretations of his songs, it is difficult not to see in its energy, tone and themes the difficulties of the final stages of the Thompson's marriage, transmuted into musical gold.
Georgie on a Spree
Richard & Linda Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me Mammy told me "Isabel, now don't stay out too late.
One day they'll throw you out of school, so get yourself a steady date"
But Georgie meets me every night we go out and we have a bite
Eyes of blue, and money too, he's rattling the garden gate
And I can hardly wait
'Cause I'm the one he spends his money on, we spend it one, two, three
Driving in his Chevrolet I'm perfect company
He's the king and I'm his queen when Georgie's on a spree
We don't see bad company, we mix it with the best
Rubbing shoulders with the rich and no time for the rest
When I see something that I need my Georgie buys the street for me
And when we're tired of the Ritz he's got a little nest
Where I put him to the test
When Georgie's on a spree all the girls are jealous of me
'Cause I'm the one he spends his money on, we spend it one, two, three
Driving in his Chevrolet I'm perfect company
He's the king and I'm his queen when Georgie's on a spree
One day Georgie hung his head and sadly he did say
"Little girl, I'm leaving you, I have to go away.
But I'll be back in a week or two and I'll be thinking just of you.
Sit beside your telephone until that lucky day,
When I come home to stay"
When Georgie's on a spree all the girls are jealous of me
'Cause I'm the one he spends his money on, we spend it one, two, three
Driving in his Chevrolet I'm perfect company
He's the king and I'm his queen when Georgie's on a spree
The lyrics of Richard Thompson's song Georgie On A Spree are about a young girl named Isabel and her lover Georgie. Isabel's mother warns her not to stay out too late, as it might affect her education. However, Isabel is in love with Georgie and goes out with him every night. Georgie is described as having eyes of blue and money, and he spends his money on her, taking her out in his Chevrolet, and they live a lavish lifestyle. When Georgie is around, Isabel feels like a queen. However, Georgie has to leave for a few weeks, and he asks Isabel to wait for him.
Line by Line Meaning
Me Mammy told me "Isabel, now don't stay out too late.
Isabel's mother warned her to not stay out too late.
One day they'll throw you out of school, so get yourself a steady date"
Her mother advises Isabel to find a steady partner to avoid expulsion from school.
But Georgie meets me every night we go out and we have a bite
Isabel meets Georgie every night and they go out to have a meal.
Eyes of blue, and money too, he's rattling the garden gate
Georgie has beautiful blue eyes and a lot of money, he is attracting attention.
And I can hardly wait
Isabel is excited to spend time with Georgie.
When Georgie's on a spree all the girls are jealous of me
Other girls envy Isabel because Georgie lavishes her with attention and money.
'Cause I'm the one he spends his money on, we spend it one, two, three
Isabel is happy that Georgie spends his money on her.
Driving in his Chevrolet I'm perfect company
Isabel enjoys driving with Georgie in his Chevrolet.
He's the king and I'm his queen when Georgie's on a spree
Georgie makes Isabel feel like royalty when they are out spending money.
We don't see bad company, we mix it with the best
They only associate with wealthy and well-connected people.
Rubbing shoulders with the rich and no time for the rest
They socialize with rich people and ignore everyone else.
When I see something that I need my Georgie buys the street for me
Georgie buys anything Isabel wants.
And when we're tired of the Ritz he's got a little nest
When they are tired of the luxury hotel, Georgie has another place for them to stay.
Where I put him to the test
Isabel tests Georgie's love and loyalty.
One day Georgie hung his head and sadly he did say
Georgie looks sad and disappointed when he tells Isabel that he is leaving.
"Little girl, I'm leaving you, I have to go away.
Georgie tells Isabel that he has to leave.
But I'll be back in a week or two and I'll be thinking just of you.
Georgie promises to come back and think only of Isabel.
Sit beside your telephone until that lucky day,
Georgie wants Isabel to wait for him by the phone until he returns.
When I come home to stay"
Georgie will return to stay with Isabel.
Contributed by Savannah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.