Formed in 1991 by working class music manager Jimmy Rabitte, The Commitments performes a unique blend of soul music, described by trumpeter Joey "The Lips" Fagan as "Dublin soul." Featuring Deco Cuffe on lead vocals, Imelda Quirke, Natalie Murphy and Bernie McGloughlin as female backing vocalists, Outspan Foster on lead guitar, Dean Fay on bass, Steven Clifford on keys, Derek Scully and Joey "The Lips" Fagan on trumpet and Billy Mooney on drums, The Commitments were successful in local venues in North Dublin. During the final months of their original run, Mooney left the band and was replaced by former security guard Micko Wallace. The group disbanded in late 1991 after a hectic club show – at which the band were to be joined by Wilson Pickett – and due to internal affairs, just minutes before the band were offered a record deal.
In 2010, the band reformed and are set to perform a number of dates.
The movie was also the breakthrough for singer Andrew Strong.
Grits Ain't Groceries
The Commitments Lyrics
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Grits Aint Groceries.Eggs 'Aint Poultry
An Mona Lisa Was a Man
All around the world
I'd rather be a fly
I'd light on my baby
Stay with m'woman till I die
With a toothpick in my hand
And wade through the jungle
Fightin' lions with a switch
Because you know I love you baby..BeatBeat Beat...
You know I love you baby, yeah,
If I don't love you, baby...Grits Aint Groceries....Beat...
Eggs 'Aint Poultry
An Mona Lisa Was a Man
All around the world
I've got blisters on my feet
From tryin to find my baby
An' bring her home with me
Better come runnin' to me baby
An' be con-vinced
If you don't believe my heart, now woman
You 'aint got no sense
Because you know I love you baby..BeatBeat Beat ...
You know I love you baby, yeah,
If I don't love you, baby I tell ya...Grits Aint Groceries....Beat...
Eggs 'Aint Poultry
An Mona Lisa Was a Man
All around the world
I never will forget
I lost all my money, my woman and my bet
But I got to have you baby
I won't settle for nothin' less
I'll give up all my good time'
And stay by happiness
Because you know I love you baby..BeatBeat Beat...
The Commitments' song "Grits Ain't Groceries" is an upbeat blues track that features the singer expressing his love for his woman. The opening line of the song "If I don’t love you baby" sets the tone for the rest of the song, implying that everything else doesn't matter as long as his love for his partner is strong. The title "Grits Ain't Groceries" is a southern American saying that refers to the notion that life's essentials are necessary, and they should not be underestimated. This statement serves as an analogy for the singer's love, framing it as a vital necessity that he cannot live without.
The line "Mona Lisa was a man" refers to a debate among art historians over the identity of the sitter for one of the world's most famous paintings. The song uses this phrase as a metaphor that reinforces the idea of misconceptions and misunderstanding. The chorus of the song emphasizes that the singer's love for his woman is unwavering and that he will do anything to ensure that their relationship remains strong. The lyrical imagery of digging a ten-foot ditch and fighting lions with a switch emphasizes the strength of his love and the lengths to which he will go to protect it.
Line by Line Meaning
If I don't love you baby.
If I don't have feelings for you, it means nothing.
Grits Aint Groceries.Eggs 'Aint Poultry
Simple things are not always the same. Grains are not the same as meat, and eggs are not the same as poultry.
An Mona Lisa Was a Man
Things may not always be what they appear to be.
All around the world
This is a universal truth.
I'd rather be a fly
I'd rather be close to you than not be with you at all.
I'd light on my baby
I will always be close to you.
Stay with m'woman till I die
I will always be faithful to you and love you until the end of time.
With a toothpick in my hand
I am willing to do anything for you.
I'd dig a ten foot ditch
I would go to any length to be with you.
And wade through the jungle
I will go through any obstacle to be with you.
Fightin' lions with a switch
I am willing to do anything to keep our love strong and protected.
Because you know I love you baby..BeatBeat Beat...
My love for you is real and it beats in my heart.
You know I love you baby, yeah,
You know that I truly love you, always and forever.
I've got blisters on my feet
I have gone through so much to find you and bring you home with me.
From tryin to find my baby
I have been tirelessly searching for you.
Better come runnin' to me baby
You need to come to me now, or you'll miss out on our love.
An' be con-vinced
Once you see how much we belong together, you will be convinced.
If you don't believe my heart, now woman
If you don't believe my love is true, then you are not listening to my heart.
You 'aint got no sense
If you can't see our love, then you don't have any sense.
I never will forget
I will always remember.
I lost all my money, my woman and my bet
I have lost everything, but I need you more than any of it.
But I got to have you baby
I need you more than anything else in this world.
I won't settle for nothin' less
I will not accept anything else but you.
I'll give up all my good time'
I will give up everything I have for you.
And stay by happiness
I will always be with you, and that is where my true happiness lies.
Contributed by Gabriel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.