In The Beautiful South, Heaton shared the lead singer's role with Hemingway and female singer Briana Corrigan to create a trio of lead vocalists. This set-up helped to characterise the bittersweet kitchen sink dramas played out in Heaton's often-barbed songs.
The band's music might sound like bubbly, catchy, lightweight pop but Heaton's sour, savage and amusing worldview on everything and anything (alcoholism, religion, sex, politics and, mostly, the down side of relationships) is always lurking beneath the surface of the quirky melodies. The tastes and smells of the local pub are never far away either, with the band gaining a reputation for boozing. The band's first album was Welcome to the Beautiful South (1989) and spawned the hits Song For Whoever and You Keep It All In. The release of 1990's Choke album saw the band claim its only Number 1 hit to date, A Little Time. 0898 followed in 1992, with hits including Old Red Eyes Is Back.
In 1994, after Corrigan quit the band when she saw Paul's lyrics for the forthcoming album Miaow, St Helens supermarket shelf-stacker, Jacqui Abbott, was brought on board to fill in. Heaton had heard her sing at an after show party in St Helens and remembered her vocal talents.
Jacqui's first album with the band was Miaow in 1994. Hits included Good as Gold (Stupid as Mud) and a cover of Fred Neil's Everybody's Talking, previously popularised by Harry Nilsson. The end of that year saw the release of Carry on up the Charts, a "best of" compilation consisting of the singles to date plus new track One Last Love Song. The album was massively successful and it is said that 1 in 7 homes in the UK owns a copy.
Blue Is the Colour (1996), Quench (1998) and Painting It Red (2000) followed with varying success. Jacqui also quit the band in 2000. After a second Greatest Hits album Solid Bronze in 2001, they recorded Gaze in 2003 with yet another female vocalist, Alison 'Lady' Wheeler. Wheeler was still in place for 2004's Golddiggas, Headnodders and Pholk Songs, an album of unusually arranged cover versions including Livin' Thing, You're The One That I Want, Don't Fear The Reaper and I'm Stone In Love With You. In 2006 the band released their tenth studio album, Superbi.
The band broke up in January 2007, releasing the statement: "The Beautiful South have split up due to musical similarities. The band would like to thank everyone for their 19 wonderful years in music."
Former members of the group have since played Beautiful South songs together as 'New Beautiful South' and more recently 'The South'.
In 2007, Mercury Records released Soup: The Best of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South, a compilation album containing 7 hit singles by The Housemartins ("The Housemartins Condensed") and 15 tracks The Beautiful South ("Cream of The Beautiful South").
I May Be Ugly
The Beautiful South Lyrics
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And skin like a llama's door mat
He was always gonna struggle
Nature had seen to that
He dreamt of those old-fashioned movies
Where Bogart gets the dame
But a lorry load of Lorre
And he sings
I may be ugly
But I've got the bottle-opener
He may be fat but he's got the cork-screw
And in the party party politics of this ugly fame
There is no orderly queue
With a chin like a tramp's jukebox
And eyes like a rhino's ash-tray
It was always going to be pantomime
That made him sing and dance anyway
When you feel like London
And you look like Hull
You think Travolta pulled Newton, John
Who did John Hurt pull?
And they compliment the compliment
And it's driving you insane
It's like talking to a helicopter
When you know that you're a plane
Breath like a mountain goat's satchel
Nose like a pool of sick
But you always leave your flies ahoy
'Cause the world wants to suck your dick
Let it suck!
And he sings
I may be ugly
But I've got the bottle-opener
He may be fat but he's got the cork-screw
And in the party party politics of this ugly fame
There is no orderly queue
The Beautiful South's song "I May Be Ugly" is about the struggles and feelings of someone who may not fit into society's standards of beauty. The lyrics use vivid imagery to describe the physical appearance of the singer, who is compared to a crab's bus ticket, a llama's doormat, a tramp's jukebox, and a mountain goat's satchel. The song suggests that the singer is aware of his appearance and the limitations it puts on him, but he still dreams of finding love and happiness, just like in the old-fashioned movies where Humphrey Bogart got the girl.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of fame and how it can be a complicated game of politics. The line "And in the party party politics of this ugly fame, there is no orderly queue" suggests that even in the world of entertainment, looks and appearances can sometimes matter more than talent or hard work. The singer is stuck in this system, where he is judged based on his looks rather than his abilities, and it's driving him insane.
The song ends with a message of self-acceptance and defiance. The singer recognizes his flaws, but he's also proud of what he has to offer. He may not be conventionally attractive, but he has other qualities that make him unique and worthy. The line "And in the party party politics of this ugly fame, there is no orderly queue" can also be seen as a way of reclaiming his power and refusing to be defined by others.
Line by Line Meaning
With a face like a crab's bus ticket
His face is unattractive and abnormal, resembling a ticket for public transportation that's been used by a crab.
And skin like a llama's door mat
His skin is rough and unappealing, similar to a doormat found in the home of a llama.
He was always gonna struggle
Given his appearance, he was destined to come up against obstacles in life and face difficulties.
Nature had seen to that
His physical traits were predetermined by natural forces beyond his control.
He dreamt of those old-fashioned movies
He had aspirations and desires to achieve the kind of romantic success depicted in classic films.
Where Bogart gets the dame
Referencing the iconic character played by Humphrey Bogart, who frequently landed the leading lady in movies of that era.
But a lorry load of Lorre
The presence of characters like Peter Lorre, known for their unconventional and unattractive appearance.
Is still the score of pain
The reality of his own unattractive traits brings him pain and difficulty.
And he sings
The artist begins to express himself through music.
I may be ugly
Acknowledging his own unattractive appearance.
But I've got the bottle-opener
Despite his appearance, he still possesses skills and tools that can be useful in social situations, similar to a bottle opener at a party.
He may be fat but he's got the cork-screw
A reminder that although he may not be physically attractive, he still has other attributes that can make him valuable and useful to others.
And in the party party politics of this ugly fame
The singer comments on the way in which society values certain individuals based on appearance and fame.
There is no orderly queue
People will do whatever it takes to achieve fame and popularity, regardless of whether they deserve it or not.
With a chin like a tramp's jukebox
Another example of the singer's physical unattractiveness, this time referencing a tramp's unkempt appearance.
And eyes like a rhino's ash-tray
His eyes are dull and unappealing, akin to an ashtray that's been used by a rhinoceros.
It was always going to be pantomime
Given his appearance, it's unlikely that he'll ever be taken seriously, so he resorts to exaggerated performance to get attention.
That made him sing and dance anyway
Despite the struggles he faces, he still finds joy in singing and dancing.
When you feel like London
Referencing the feeling of being crowded and overwhelmed that one can get in a big city like London.
And you look like Hull
Comparing the artist's unattractiveness to the less glamorous city of Hull.
You think Travolta pulled Newton, John
Referencing the unlikely pairing of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the movie Grease.
Who did John Hurt pull?
Questioning the romantic success of another unattractive actor, John Hurt.
And they compliment the compliment
The singer receives insincere compliments, meant to make him feel better about his appearance, but it only adds to his frustration.
And it's driving you insane
The constant stream of superficial compliments has a negative impact on the artist's mental health.
It's like talking to a helicopter
Trying to communicate with someone who doesn't understand or relate to your struggles is like talking to a machine, rather than a human with empathy.
When you know that you're a plane
Feeling like an average, unremarkable person, despite the recognition and attention that his appearance garners in society.
Breath like a mountain goat's satchel
Another descriptor of the singer's unattractive appearance, this time referencing the unpleasant smell of a mountain goat's bag.
Nose like a pool of sick
His nose is also unappealing, resembling a pool of vomit.
But you always leave your flies ahoy
Despite his unattractive appearance, he still has confidence and swagger, analogous to an open fly.
'Cause the world wants to suck your dick
The singer recognizes that in spite of his physical shortcomings, others are still drawn to his self-assured attitude and charisma.
Let it suck!
The singer is letting others revel in his confidence and attention, regardless of his appearance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE ROTHERAY, PAUL HEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind