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.)
Pirelli's Miracle Elixir
Sweeney Todd Lyrics
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May I have your attention, please?
Do you wake every morning in shame and despair
To discover your pillow is covered with hair
What ought not to be there?
Well, ladies and gentlemen
From now on, you can waken at ease
I will show you a miracle, marvelous rare
Gentlemen, you are about to see something
What rose from the dead!
On the top of my head!
'Twas Pirelli's Miracle Elixir
That's what did the trick, sir
True, sir, true
Was it quick, sir? Did it in a tick, sir?
Just like an elixir ought to do
How about a bottle, mister?
Only costs a penny, guaranteed
Does Pirelli's stimulate the growth, sir?
You can have my oath, sir
'Tis unique
Rub a minute
Stimulating, isn't it?
Soon you'll have to thin it
Once a week!
[TODD]: Pardon me, ma'am, what's that awful stench?
[LOVETT]: Are we standing in an open trench?
[TODD]: Must be standing near an open tranch
[LOVETT]: Pardon me, sir, what's that awful stench?
[TOBY]: But Pirelli's Miracle Elixir
Anything what's slick, sir
Soon sprouts curls
Try Pirelli's
When they see how thick, sir
You can have your pick, sir
Of the girls
Want to buy a bottle, missus?
-[TODD]: What is this?
-[LOVETT]: What is this?
-[TODD]: Smells like piss
-[LOVETT]: Smells like...
-[TODD]: Looks like piss!
-[LOVETT]: Wouldn't touch it if I was you, dear!
-[TODD]: This is piss, piss with ink
-[TOBY]: Let Pirelli's activate your roots, sir!
[TODD]: Keep it off your boots, sir
Eats right through
[TOBY]: Yes, get Pirelli's, use a bottle of it
Ladies seem to love it
[LOVETT]: Flies do, too
The song "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" from Sweeney Todd is a lively and comedic musical number performed by the characters Toby, Todd, and Lovett. Toby is pitching a miracle hair tonic called Pirelli's Miracle Elixir, claiming that it can stimulate hair growth and transform the user's life for just a penny per bottle. Todd and Lovett are not impressed with the smell of the elixir, leading them to suspect that it might not be as miraculous as Toby claims it to be.
The song serves as a satirical commentary on the 19th-century miracle cure industry. The Pirelli's Miracle Elixir represents the fraudulent products that were widely sold during that era, promising miraculous cures and solutions to various problems. The catchy tune and upbeat music in the song contribute to creating a contrast between the dark and morbid storyline of Sweeney Todd and the more lighthearted moments in the show.
Overall, "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" is an entertaining song that adds a touch of humor to Sweeney Todd's otherwise grim tone. It highlights the absurdity of the miracle cure industry and reinforces the overarching themes of deception and greed that run throughout the show.
Line by Line Meaning
TOBY: Ladies and gentlemen
May I have your attention, please?
Do you wake every morning in shame and despair
To discover your pillow is covered with hair
What ought not to be there?
Toby introduces himself and talks about the problems faced by people who have unwanted hair on their pillows.
Well, ladies and gentlemen
From now on, you can waken at ease
You need never again have a worry or care
I will show you a miracle, marvelous rare
Gentlemen, you are about to see something
What rose from the dead!
On the top of my head!
Toby promises a miraculous solution to the hair problem and claims to have benefited from the 'Pirelli's Miracle Elixir' himself.
'Twas Pirelli's Miracle Elixir
That's what did the trick, sir
True, sir, true
Was it quick, sir? Did it in a tick, sir?
Just like an elixir ought to do
Toby confidently attributes his hair growth to the 'Pirelli's Miracle Elixir' and tries to sell it to the audience.
How about a bottle, mister?
Only costs a penny, guaranteed
Does Pirelli's stimulate the growth, sir?
You can have my oath, sir
'Tis unique
Rub a minute
Stimulating, isn't it?
Soon you'll have to thin it
Once a week!
Toby encourages the audience to buy the elixir, claiming that it is cost-effective, unique and addictive in its effectiveness.
[TODD]: Pardon me, ma'am, what's that awful stench?
[LOVETT]: Are we standing in an open trench?
[TODD]: Must be standing near an open tranch
[LOVETT]: Pardon me, sir, what's that awful stench?
Todd and Lovett's disgust at the smell emanating from Toby's elixir prompts them to question and comment on it.
[TOBY]: But Pirelli's Miracle Elixir
Anything what's slick, sir
Soon sprouts curls
Try Pirelli's
When they see how thick, sir
You can have your pick, sir
Of the girls
Want to buy a bottle, missus?
Toby claims that the elixir not only promotes hair growth but also makes one desirable to women, further trying to sell it to potential customers.
-[TODD]: What is this?
-[LOVETT]: What is this?
-[TODD]: Smells like piss
-[LOVETT]: Smells like...
-[TODD]: Looks like piss!
-[LOVETT]: Wouldn't touch it if I was you, dear!
Todd and Lovett reveal their realization that the 'Pirelli's Miracle Elixir' is actually just piss and express their disgust at it.
-[TODD]: This is piss, piss with ink
-[TOBY]: Let Pirelli's activate your roots, sir!
[TODD]: Keep it off your boots, sir
Eats right through
[TOBY]: Yes, get Pirelli's, use a bottle of it
Ladies seem to love it
[LOVETT]: Flies do, too
Todd reveals the truth about the elixir to Toby and warns him of its corrosive nature, while Toby continues to promote the product, and Lovett makes a sarcastic remark about it.
Contributed by Ethan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.