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").
Life Vs. The Lifeless
The Beautiful South Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You had to give yourself a good pinch
When did you ever fail one of life's highs
Without using stepladder or winch
That's why the lifeless crave the past
'Cause when they're flogged, stoned, lynched
They can watch the living fizzle out to naught
That's what keeps you alive
The thought of undeserved death
That's why cynics deep-sea dive
Just to watch someone healthy lose breath
That's what really makes you tick
When the fearless are stopped in their tracks
Optimism looks up counts the stars
Pessimism looks down and counts cracks
The Monday morning moaners club
That meet every week on park bench
At least they've earned their grumble stripes
When they fought tooth and nail in the trench
If you ever sat down in one place too long
They'd need a fork-lift truck and a wrench
Indecision drip feeds modesty
But apathy fails even to quench
That's what keeps you alive
The thought of undeserved death
That's why cynics deep-sea dive
Just to watch someone healthy lose breath
That's what really makes you tick
When the fearless are stopped in their tracks
Optimism looks up counts the stars
Pessimism looks down and counts cracks
And even when it's every man for himself
You still like to stick with the bunch
You'd rather tag along at the back of the crowd
To risk anything on a hunch
That's what keeps you alive
The thought of undeserved death
That's why cynics deep-sea dive
Just to watch someone healthy lose breath
That's what really makes you tick
When the fearless are stopped in their tracks
Optimism looks up counts the stars
Pessimism looks down and counts cracks
That's what keeps you alive
"Life Vs. The Lifeless" by The Beautiful South is a song about the contrasting attitudes towards life. The lyrics describe the sense of lethargy or apathy that many people experience, especially when faced with difficult situations. The song suggests that even though people often feel unhappy or unfulfilled, they still have a deep fear of death, and this motivates them to continue living. The chorus repeats the idea that "the thought of undeserved death" is what "keeps you alive."
The song offers a critique of pessimistic attitudes and suggests that focusing on the negative aspects of life can be counterproductive. The line "pessimism looks down and counts cracks" is juxtaposed with the more positive image of optimism looking up and counting stars. The song seems to encourage listeners to find ways to appreciate life even when it is difficult, rather than simply succumbing to a sense of hopelessness.
Another interesting aspect of the song is its use of irony. The verse about the "Monday morning moaners club" suggests that complaining can be a way of coping with difficult situations. The line "at least they've earned their grumble stripes" suggests that there is a kind of camaraderie in shared misery. However, the chorus still reinforces the idea that fear of death is the ultimate motivator for living.
Line by Line Meaning
When was the last time you felt so happy
Reflecting upon a time when you were extremely happy, to the extent that you had to physically pinch yourself to believe it was true
When did you ever fail one of life's highs
Asking when you have ever missed out on an opportunity or experience that life has to offer, without having to go through great lengths or use any special tools or equipment
That's why the lifeless crave the past
Explaining that those who don't have the energy or will to experience new things and take risks, tend to cling onto past memories or events instead
Cause when they're flogged, stoned, lynched
Listing the harsh punishments that people may have endured in the past as an explanation for why some may prefer to avoid putting themselves in harm's way today
They can watch the living fizzle out to naught
Indicating that those who shirk from taking action are content to simply observe others fail and fade away over time
Without even moving one inch
Pointing out that they themselves remain inactive and are not contributing to anyone's success or failure
That's what keeps you alive
Suggesting that the fear of dying prematurely motivates some people to keep going and continue living
The thought of undeserved death
Elaborating on the previous line, and explaining that it is the idea of dying without having had a chance to truly live that scares people the most
That's why cynics deep-sea dive
Drawing attention to how skeptical and negative individuals might actively seek out opportunities to witness others fall apart or perish
Just to watch someone healthy lose breath
Emphasizing how the aforementioned cynics derive a kind of satisfaction or joy from seeing others lose their vitality and energy
That's what really makes you tick
Arguing that one's true motivation or drive is linked to the fear or possibility of losing out, rather than simply the desire to succeed or accomplish something
When the fearless are stopped in their tracks
Highlighting the way in which those who are usually bold and daring can be slowed down or tripped up by unexpected setbacks or obstacles
Optimism looks up counts the stars
Noting how optimists tend to focus on the possibilities and opportunities that still exist, rather than getting bogged down in negative feelings or representations of the world
Pessimism looks down and counts cracks
Conversely, pessimistic individuals tend to zero in on the flaws and problems of a situation or environment, instead of recognizing the potential for growth or improvement
The Monday morning moaners club
Referring to a group of people who consistently complain or grumble, and meet to air their grievances regularly
That meet every week on park bench
Detailing the specific location or context in which these complainers congregate
At least they've earned their grumble stripes
Acknowledging that these individuals may have gone through difficult experiences that justify their negative attitudes or complaints
When they fought tooth and nail in the trench
Further elaborating on the kind of hardships or struggles that may have led these complainers to adopt their current approach
If you ever sat down in one place too long
Warning against becoming too stagnant or stuck in a particular routine or environment
They'd need a fork-lift truck and a wrench
Jokingly implying that if someone were to become too settled in one spot, it would take a heavy-duty machine to move them from that position
Indecision drip feeds modesty
Suggesting that being indecisive can make someone appear humble or unassuming, as if they are simply unsure of their own abilities or direction
But apathy fails even to quench
Criticizing apathy, as a lack of interest or concern can be much more damaging than uncertainty or hesitation
And even when it's every man for himself
Observing that in some contexts, such as times of crisis or conflict, people may prioritize their own safety and well-being above all else
You still like to stick with the bunch
Noting that despite this self-preservation instinct, most people still prefer to be part of a social group or community
You'd rather tag along at the back of the crowd
Qualifying the previous statement slightly, suggesting that some individuals may still feel more comfortable or secure if they are not the center of attention or in the spotlight
To risk anything on a hunch
Implying that taking risks or making important decisions based on intuition or instinct can be daunting or scary for some people, and may not be a desirable course of action
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE ROTHERAY, PAUL HEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dan Tweedy
Gaze was their least selling album. Such a pity. I think it was Paul's most inspired work. This song and "Spit It All Out" are some of the best material TBS ever did.
Jon Croxford
Great upload mate! One of my fave tracks on Gaze, and indeed from my time at uni.
fabtrain
Paul Heaton. there's nothing better around. That's what keeps you alive The thought of undeserved death That's why cynics deep-sea dive Just to watch someone healthy lose breath That's what really makes you tick When the fearless are stopped in their tracks Optimism looks up counts the stars Pessimism looks down and counts cracks! ooh, lovely lyrics!
david anon
where u been not to hear of beautiful south damn best band ever
Gaz N
When was the last time you felt so happy, you had to give yourself a good pinch?
yorkshireandproud
totally agree!!!
jesushandles
blackpool123456 Nice comment. I'd miss him as well. Just come round to my house, your ex left them here.