Produced by Saint Etienne
Re… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs
Produced by Saint Etienne
Released September 1991 on Foxbase Alpha.
Notes The melodic sample is from Hey Jude by Wilson Pickett hence the track title. The vocal samples are taken from an educational LP recorded to help the British public with conversion to the decimal system. Richard X took further samples from this same LP when re-producing the track for Foxbase Beta.
Wilson
Saint Etienne Lyrics
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Would you like some sweets, Willy?
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
What would you like then?
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
What would you like then?
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
What would you like then?
...
The lyrics to Saint Etienne's song Wilson seem simple and repetitive at first. However, upon closer inspection, the repeated phrase "would you like some sweets, Willy?" takes on a deeper meaning when combined with the song's title. The song is named after the Scottish filmmaker, Lindsay Anderson, who directed a series of films featuring a character named Mick Travis. In one of these films, "If....", the character of Mick Travis is offered sweets by a friend.
The character of Mick Travis is often viewed as a symbol of rebellion against authority and tradition. Therefore, it can be interpreted that the repeated offer of sweets to "Willy" in the song is a reference to offering a tempting proposition or a form of rebellion. The question "what would you like then?" could be seen as an invitation to break free from the confines of society and embrace alternative ideas and beliefs.
The song's repetitiveness can also be seen as a nod to the repetitive nature of rebellion and the cycle of questioning authority and norms. The song's upbeat and catchy melody adds to the sense of rebelliousness and defiance in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you like some sweets, Willy?
The singer is offering candy to Willy and repeats the question several times, perhaps to emphasize the abundance of sweets available.
What would you like then?
The singer is giving Willy an opportunity to choose from among the types of sweets available.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB STANLEY, PETER STEWART WIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind