1) a 1970's Canadian G… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) a 1970's Canadian Glam-Rock Band
2) a British punk singer-songwriter
1) Sweeney Todd is a 1970's Canadian Glam-Rock Band. Formed in Vancouver, British Columbia during 1975, the band originally consisted of vocalist Nick Gilder, guitarist Jim McCulloch, bassist Budd Marr, keyboardist Dan Gaudin and drummer John Booth. The single, "Roxy Roller", became a #1 hit in Canada winning a Juno Award for the band, but Gilder and McCulloch subsequently left the band to pursue solo careers. (Gilder subsequently had hits with "Hot Child in the City," "Here Comes The Night" and "(you really) Rock Me".)
Clark Perry was brought in to replace Gilder on vocals, and Skip Prest replaced McCulloch on guitar. Perry didn't work out, however, and was replaced within a few months by then 16 year old Bryan Adams.
The new lineup recorded Sweeney Todd's second album, If Wishes Were Horses. However, that album was unsuccessful, and Adams left the band. The band attempted to carry on with Chris Booth on vocals (and Grant Gislason replacing Prest in 1978), but broke up before recording any further albums.
The band re-united in 2000 and is currently working on "The Sweeney Todd LP" and touring across Canada.
2) Sweeney Todd (born Chris Sweeney) is a British punk singer-songwriter, he has been lead vocalist for The Dead Pets, Everybody Out! and Lost City Angels. He appeared in the UK Channel4 TV show 'Faking It'; where he had to become a classical conductor.
(Not to be confused with the musical or film of the same name. If you're here due to the musical or film, do yourself and last.fm a favor. Fix your tags by putting the actual artist name in the artist field.)
By the Sea
Sweeney Todd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could eat you up, I really could
You know what I'd like to do, Mr. Todd
What I dreamed, if the business stays as good
Where I'd really like to go,
In a year or so
Don't you want to know?
Todd: "Of course"
Do you really want to know?
Todd: "Yes, I do"
By the sea, Mr. Todd, that's the life I covet
By the sea, Mr. Todd, oh I know you'd love it
You and me, Mr. T, we could be alone
In a house what we'd almost own
Down by the sea...
(Mr. Todd: "Anything you say...")
Wouldn't that be smashing?
Think how snug it'll be underneath our flannel
When it's just you and me and the English channel
In our cozy retreat kept all neat and tidy
We'll have chums over every Friday
By the sea
Don't you love the weather?
By the sea
We'll go out together
By the seaside, hoo-oh, by the beautiful sea
It'll be so quiet,
That who'll come by it
Except a seagull, hooh-ooh
We shouldn't try it
Until it's legal for two-hoo
But a seaside wedding could be devised,
Me rumpled bedding legitimized
Me eyelids'll flutter,
I'll turn into butter
The moment I mutter "I do-hoo!"
Down by the sea
Married nice and proper
By the sea
Bring along your chopper
To the seaside, hoh-ooh,
By the beautiful sea...
In "By the Sea," Mrs. Lovett reveals her fantasies of living a peaceful life with Mr. Todd by the sea, and even suggests they could be lovers. She describes the idyllic setting that they could have, with their own house and the beach just steps away. She also talks about how they could have dinner parties with friends, and how much she loves the sea and its quietness. Throughout the song, she tries to convince Mr. Todd to this idea, claiming that it would be perfect for them to leave everything behind, and that she knows he would love it too. Despite her fantasies, however, Mr. Todd remains uninterested, as he only has revenge on his mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, Mr. Todd, I'm so happy!
Mrs. Lovett expresses joy in being with Sweeney Todd.
I could eat you up, I really could
Mrs. Lovett expresses her love for Mr. Todd with a playful remark.
You know what I'd like to do, Mr. Todd
Mrs. Lovett implies to Mr. Todd that she has an exciting plan for their future.
What I dreamed, if the business stays as good
Mrs. Lovett envisions a happy future for them if their bakery business keeps thriving.
Where I'd really like to go,
Mrs. Lovett hints to Mr. Todd that she knows about a perfect location for their future endeavors.
In a year or so
Mrs. Lovett suggests a timeline for their plan.
Don't you want to know?
Mrs. Lovett tries to arouse Mr. Todd's curiosity.
By the sea, Mr. Todd, that's the life I covet
Mrs. Lovett expresses her desire to live by the sea with Mr. Todd.
You and me, Mr. T, we could be alone
Mrs. Lovett suggests that they could live their lives together without any interference.
In a house what we'd almost own
Mrs. Lovett suggests that they would have almost complete ownership of the house they could get by the sea.
Think how snug it'll be underneath our flannel
Mrs. Lovett describes the coziness they would feel being together under the covers with their blankets.
When it's just you and me and the English channel
Mrs. Lovett suggests their seclusion and peace from the world, only alongside each other and the English Channel.
In our cozy retreat kept all neat and tidy
Mrs. Lovett describes their calm, peaceful place they would share that they could keep clean and clutter-free.
We'll have chums over every Friday
Mrs. Lovett suggests that they could have join the company of friends every week.
Don't you love the weather?
Mrs. Lovett points out the benefits of living by the sea with great weather.
We'll go out together
Mrs. Lovett suggests that they could enjoy their time outside together.
It'll be so quiet,
Mrs. Lovett alludes to the peace and quiet they would experience.
That who'll come by it
Mrs. Lovett questions who would disturb their peaceful existence.
Except a seagull, hooh-ooh
Mrs. Lovett jests that the only visitors would be seagulls.
We shouldn't try it
Mrs. Lovett acknowledges that their future plans could not come into fruition at the moment.
Until it's legal for two-hoo
Mrs. Lovett suggests that they should wait until they can marry legally.
But a seaside wedding could be devised,
Mrs. Lovett still holds faith that they could still have a wedding by the sea.
Me rumpled bedding legitimized
Mrs. Lovett hints at the legitimacy and respectability that could come from marrying Sweeney Todd.
Me eyelids'll flutter,
Mrs. Lovett imagines that her eyes would flutter with excitement.
I'll turn into butter
Mrs. Lovett emphasizes how happy she would be.
The moment I mutter "I do-hoo!"
Mrs. Lovett imagines a joyous moment of getting married.
Married nice and proper
Mrs. Lovett describes her ideal status in the eyes of society.
Bring along your chopper
Mrs. Lovett even includes chopping meat in their future together by the sea.
To the seaside, hoh-ooh,
Mrs. Lovett repeats her desire to live by the sea.
By the beautiful sea...
Mrs. Lovett concludes with the beauty and allure of living by the sea.
Contributed by Caroline W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marlenaluna2792
Ooh, Mr. Todd! (kiss)
I'm so happy! (kiss)
I could (kiss)
Eat you up, I really could!
You know what I'd like to do, Mr. Todd? (kiss)
What I dream (kiss)
If the business stays as good?
Where I'd really like to go?
In a year or so?
Don't you want to know?
TODD: (spoken) of course.
LOVETT: Do you really want to know?
TODD: (spoken) Yes. I do.
LOVETT: By the sea, Mr. Todd, that's the life I'll covet,
By the sea, Mr. Todd, ooh, I know you'd love it!
You and me, Mr. T, we could be alone
In a house that we'd almost own,
Down by the sea!
TODD: Anything you say
LOVETT: Wouldn't that be smashing?
LOVETT:
Think how snug it'll be underneath our flannel
When it's just you and me and the English Channel!
In our cozy retreat kept all neat and tidy,
We'll have chums over ev'ry Friday!
By the sea!
Don'tcha love the weather?
By the sea!
We'll grow old together!
By the seaside,
Woahh
By the beautiful sea!
It'll be so quiet,
That who'll come by it,
Except a seagull
Hoo, hoo!
We shouldn't try it,
Though, 'til it's legal for two-hoo!
But a seaside wedding could be devised,
Me rumpled bedding legitimized!
Me eyelids'll flutter,
I'll turn into butter,
The moment I mutter I do-hoo!
Down by the sea,
Married nice and proper
By the sea
Bring along your chopper
To the seaside hoo hoo!
By the beautiful sea!
@androidcommandroid7591
Fun fact: this song is EXTREMELY HARD to sing, it leaves barely any room for air. Helena Bonham Carter had to sing with that so kudos to her!
@Justice237
Really? I’ve sung this song in my singing lessons a lot of times, with acting. You just have to take quick breaths
@blackberry8615
She did a amazing job
@cara7579
all while pregnant!
@xinaily
@Cara she was pregnant then? 😯
@cara7579
@xina_ily yep! filming was during 2007 which was when she was pregnant with her daughter nell
@utterqueernightmare
I love that despite this being a fantasy, she doesn't change anything about Sweeny's personality. The only difference is that he loves her.
@cesaralfonsofrancoibarra8895
Does he, tho?
@utterqueernightmare
@Cesar Alfonso Franco Ibarra In the fantasy? Yes. In their real life? Probably not.
@gabrielalamira3587
True! I love that point!