Formed around the partnership of Lowe with Edmunds, the two musicians inspired by melodic 50s and 60s rock n roll, the band took its name from the title of a 1972 album by Edmunds. Rockpile was primarily known as a backup group to those two artists' solo projects. However, the band did release one official album, titled 'Seconds of Pleasure' in 1980, which spawned the minor hit "Teacher Teacher" while also receiving strong critical praise. In August of that year, the guys played the noted Heatwave festival near Toronto, and the group additionally made their only American television appearance on the ABC variety program 'Fridays'. The band broke up in 1981.
A Knife and a Fork
Rockpile Lyrics
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You eat every kind of food you ain't nothing but a slave
If you don't slacken up your pace
They're gonna throw food in your face
Girl, you let a knife and fork dig your grave
Girl, you let a knife and fork get you down
If you keep this up little girl you won't be around
Girl, you're gonna shorten all your days
Girl, you let a knife and fork get you down
Eat, eat, eat: that's your middle name
Oh the way you stuff yourself is a doggone shame
Girl, you let a knife and fork call your hand
You gobble all the food in sight that you can
If you don't change some of your ways
Girl, you're gonna shorten all your days
Girl, you let a knife and fork call your hand
Wearing a size 44
You have to turn sideways to get through the door
Girl, you let a knife and fork dig your grave
The lyrics to Rockpile's song A Knife and a Fork speak about the consequences of overeating and how it can lead to an early grave. The singer addresses a girl who has let a knife and fork dig her grave. He tells her that she eats every kind of food, and she is nothing but a slave. She needs to slow down her pace, or people will start throwing food in her face. The girl has let a knife and fork get her down, and if she does not change her ways, she won't be around for long.
He notes that she eats so much food that it's a doggone shame, and it has become her middle name. She has let a knife and fork call her hand, and she gobbles all the food in sight that she can. The singer warns her that if she does not change her ways, she will shorten her days. The girl is wearing a size 44, and she has to turn sideways to get through the door. In summary, the lyrics serve as a warning to the girl to change her ways before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, you let a knife and fork dig your grave
You have let your eating habits take over your life and possibly lead to your demise.
You eat every kind of food you ain't nothing but a slave
You have become a slave to food and are consuming anything and everything without restraint.
If you don't slacken up your pace
They're gonna throw food in your face
If you don't slow down and control your eating, people around you will start to notice and call you out on it.
Girl, you let a knife and fork get you down
Your eating habits are affecting your life so much that they are bringing you down and could cause you to not be around anymore.
Girl, you're gonna shorten all your days
If you don't change your ways, your eating habits will lead to a shorter lifespan.
Oh the way you stuff yourself is a doggone shame
Your habit of consuming large amounts of food is a disgrace and needs to change.
You gobble all the food in sight that you can
You have a habit of eating anything you can see and need to practice restraint.
You have to turn sideways to get through the door
Your size has become so large that you struggle to fit through a regular-sized door.
Girl, you let a knife and fork call your hand
Your eating habits have become so ingrained that you will listen and follow along with anything utensils that come your way.
Wearing a size 44
Your clothing size has expanded to a 44, indicating significant weight gain.
Contributed by Olivia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.