He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
Sneaky Boy
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought you were one of us
One of our gang
Sneaky Boy, Sneaky Boy
The mole in the tunnel
The canary who sang
While we sad chums
Your heels were pacing
While we dropped blues
And took a snooze
Your mind was racing
Sneaky Boy, Sneaky Boy
Sneaky Boy, Sneaky Boy
Your teeth and your t-shirt
were always too clean
Sneaky Boy, Sneaky Boy
They're writing your name
down in the latrine, boy
And just who chose
Your rebel clothes
Was it your mummy?
We never knew
The side of you
Behind the dummy
Sneaky Boy, Sneaky Boy
Spleen of Mammon, spleen of Midas
Now you scold us, now you chide us
Mammon lung and Midas liver
Now you sell us down the river
You had your look
Right out the book
Of weekend poses
Now we bankrupt
And self-destruct
You smell of roses
Sneaky Boy, Sneaky Boy
The song Sneaky Boy by Richard Thompson is an insightful ballad about a person who is not what they seem to be. The song tells the story of someone who was accepted into a group of friends, but always had an ulterior motive or a hidden agenda. This person was always one step ahead, keeping their true identity hidden. The title "Sneaky Boy" reinforces this idea, emphasizing the person's sneaky and manipulative behavior.
The first verse confirms the group's suspicion that "Sneaky Boy" was not really one of them. He was the "mole in the tunnel" and "the canary who sang," the one who would betray them for his own gain. The second verse describes how while the group was relaxed, content to scratch their bums and take a snooze, Sneaky Boy's mind was always racing, plotting his next move. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is always on edge, never truly at ease, and constantly seeking an advantage.
The chorus repeats the title and emphasizes the person's sneaky and deceitful behavior. The third verse chronicles Sneaky Boy's transformation from a rebel to a sell-out. The group reflects on how his clean teeth and t-shirt, chosen by his mother, were always a bit suspicious. They accuse him of being a poser, copying his look from a book of weekend poses. The final lines suggest that Sneaky Boy's allegiance has shifted to those who can offer him the most money, causing the group to self-destruct.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the danger of individuals who are not genuine and not truthful. It serves as a warning to be watchful of those who may have ulterior motives and to be mindful of the company one keeps.
Line by Line Meaning
Sneaky Boy, Sneaky Boy
Addressing the person being talked to
Thought you were one of us
Believing that the person being talked to is a part of their group
One of our gang
Being a part of the same group as the singer
The mole in the tunnel
Working against the group from the inside
The canary who sang
Betraying the group
While we sad chums
The rest of the group
Just scratched our bums
Not doing much, being lazy
Your heels were pacing
Always being busy and on the move
While we dropped blues
The group was getting high
And took a snooze
The group was relaxing
Your mind was racing
The person being talked to was always thinking and planning
Your teeth and your t-shirt
The appearance of the person being talked to
Were always too clean
Being too perfect and not fitting in with the group
They're writing your name
The group is turning against the person being talked to
Down in the latrine, boy
Insulting the person being talked to
And just who chose
Questioning the person being talked to
Your rebel clothes
The clothes of the person being talked to
Was it your mummy?
Asking if the person's mother chose their clothes
We never knew
The group didn't understand the person being talked to
The side of you
The true nature of the person being talked to
Behind the dummy
Being hidden behind a false identity
Spleen of Mammon, spleen of Midas
Metaphorical references to greed and wealth
Now you scold us, now you chide us
The person being talked to is now criticizing the group
Mammon lung and Midas liver
More references to greed and wealth
Now you sell us down the river
Betraying the group for personal gain
You had your look
The appearance of the person being talked to
Right out the book
Copying someone else's style
Of weekend poses
Trying to fit in with a certain lifestyle on the weekends
Now we bankrupt
The group is in financial trouble
And self-destruct
The group is destroying itself
You smell of roses
The person being talked to is doing well and prospering
Sneaky Boy, Sneaky Boy
Addressing the person being talked to again
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@banana3255
Best music ever!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@coryondreako8227
A hippie gave me this album back in 04 or 05' ... definitely an artist who made me interested