In summer 1994 they released their first single Caught By The Fuzz which had Strange Ones on the B side, on a small local record label called Backbeat, run by Makating bass guitarist Dave Norland from his bedroom in a house in the Cowley Road area of Oxford. The song was successful and it didn't take much time when the Parlophone label signed them and few months later re-released Caught By The Fuzz again. In the spring of 1995 was released another single Mansize Rooster followed by Lenny right before they released debut album I Should Coco in May 1995. It was their only album that made an impact in the USA.
In 1997, they released their second album, In It For The Money which got them even more acclaim, but slightly darker sound confused many of their fans. Still, it was a success, both critically and financially.
The third album, released in 1999, Supergrass (or the X-Ray Album, as the fans like to call it because of the cover) was more of a continuation of In it for the money, and was not received as well as the former albums.
After the three-year-pause, Supergrass returned with Life On Other Planets (2002), which was again not succesful financially, but the critics loved it. It was also the first Supergrass album where Rob Coombes was named as the official member of the band.
After the best-selling 2004 greatest hits compilation Supergrass is 10, they released Road to Rouen, their fifth album in 2005, after some delays. It was well received but it's new direction was a surprise to many fans.
The band recorded their sixth studio album Diamond Hoo Ha between January and November 2007 in Berlin and New York. It was released in March 2008 and although criticised as formulaic, displayed strong song writing.
In 2010 they announced they would disband and played a handful of farewell shows in June. The unfinished 7th studio album Release the Drones remains unreleased.
In 2019, Supergrass reformed to play a series of gigs. However, the band does not plan on releasing new material.
Kick in the Teeth
Supergrass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can make it hard to smile
I'm turning to a dirty dastard style
What...there ain't no use in crying
So I just keep on trying
And the heartache would be fun
But I just can't get my head around what you want
Killing time waiting for tomorrow
Well I can't sleep take my pills of sorrow
Well I don't...
Well I just keep on trying
And the heartache would be fun
But I just can't get my head round what you
What you want
Well kicking teeth
Broken glass went flying
It's a fucking cheek...
You cut me down but there ain't no use in crying
So I just keep on trying
The heartache would be fun
But I just can't get my head round what you
Oh, what you want
What you want
Don't know what you want
What you want
Don't know what you want
Don't know what you want
The lyrics to Supergrass's "Kick In The Teeth" convey a sense of persistent determination and resilience in the face of adversity. The phrase "kick in the teeth" is a common idiom that refers to a significant setback or disappointment, something that can make it difficult to find joy or motivation. In this song, the singer admits that being dealt such a blow can make them feel like adopting a "dirty dastard" attitude, but ultimately rejects defeat and resolves to keep trying. The repeated refrain of "I just can't get my head round what you want" suggests a sense of confusion and frustration with a particular situation or relationship.
The second verse adds a darker tone, with lines about "killing time waiting for tomorrow" and having to resort to "pills of sorrow" to get through the night. Despite this, the singer once again embraces a "keep on trying" mentality, despite not being able to understand what the other person wants. The song concludes with the repetition of the phrase "don't know what you want," suggesting that the singer is still struggling to make sense of the situation and their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a kick in the teeth
Experiencing a major disappointment
Can make it hard to smile
The disappointment can affect one's mood and demeanor
I'm turning to a dirty dastard style
The disappointment has led to a change in behavior or personality, possibly for the worse
What...there ain't no use in crying
There's no point in dwelling on the disappointment or expressing sadness
So I just keep on trying
Despite the disappointment, the person is persevering and continuing with their efforts
And the heartache would be fun
The person may be finding some enjoyment in the challenge or pain of the situation
But I just can't get my head around what you want
The person is struggling to understand the expectations or desires of someone else involved in the situation
Killing time waiting for tomorrow
Passing time while waiting for another opportunity or chance to arise
Well I can't sleep take my pills of sorrow
The person is having trouble sleeping and may be using some form of medication to cope
Well I don't...
This line doesn't have an apparent meaning on its own
Well I just keep on trying
Reiterating the determination to persevere despite difficulties
And the heartache would be fun
Reiterating the potential for finding enjoyment in the challenge or pain of the situation
But I just can't get my head round what you
Reiterating the confusion or lack of understanding about what someone else wants or expects
What you want
Repeated in mantra-like fashion to emphasize the frustration and confusion about the expectations of someone else
Well kicking teeth
Using a violent metaphor to express strong reaction to the disappointment or frustration
Broken glass went flying
Expanding on the metaphor to suggest destruction and chaos
It's a fucking cheek...
Expressing outrage or indignation at the situation or someone else's actions
You cut me down but there ain't no use in crying
Acknowledging the hurtful actions of someone else but reiterating that there's no point in dwelling on it
What you want
Reiterating the frustration and confusion about what someone else expects or desires
Oh, what you want
Adding an emotional plea or emphasis to the frustration and confusion
Don't know what you want
Repeated in mantra-like fashion to emphasize the continued lack of understanding or clarity about what someone else wants or expects
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARETH COOMBES, ROBERT COOMBES, DANIEL GOFFEY, MICHAEL QUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind