They are signed to the Wichita Recordings label, and have currently released 5 albums through this imprint - 'The Cribs' (2004), 'The New Fellas' (2005), 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' (2007), 'Ignore The Ignorant' (2009), and 'In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull' (2012).
Despite starting off as an underground band, The Cribs have experienced commercial success with 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' charting at #13 in the UK album charts, and 'Ignore The Ignorant' achieving the band their first Top Ten album, charting at #8. They also have 7 top 40 hit singles to their name, the most successful of which being 'Men's Needs' (#17). In 2008, Q magazine described The Cribs as "The biggest cult band in the UK".
The Chi-Town Songfacts says that The Cribs' fifth studio album, In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, was recorded at London's Abbey Road and Chicago's EAR studio with famed lo-fi rock engineer Steve Albini and Tarbox Road studio in New York with David Fridmann (Mercury Rev, The Flaming Lips).
After some hard times during which they were (according to an interview in DIY Magazine) "nearly losing the rights to their entire back catalogue, and coming close to calling time on the group entirely," in 2020 they released the album "Night Network."
Hey Scenesters!
The Cribs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey scenesters, hey hey scenesters!
Hey scenesters, hey hey scenesters!
You lot are in trouble now
(Someone's gonna cop it now)
Someone's gonna cop it now
Hey darling, hey hey darling!
Hey darling, hey hey darling!
Everybody's happy now
(Nobody ain't laughing now)
Nobody ain't laughing now
She was the glamourous type
There were times when you'd never have guessed it
Did you see her clothes?
Everyone said she looked like a mess, yeah!
Okay alright (you think you're the leader)
About last night (we won't ever)
I was feeling strange (one last fling)
Slightly ashamed (don't worry it's alright)
Casual looks (when we were steaming)
Have said enough (don't worry it's alright)
You're changing scenes
Different scenes
Hey scenesters, hey hey scenesters!
Hey scenesters, hey hey scenesters!
Hey scenesters, hey hey scenesters!
You all are in trouble now
(Someone's gonna cop it now)
Someone's gonna cop it now
Hey darling, hey hey darling!
Hey darling, hey hey darling!
Hey darling, hey hey darling!
Everybody's happy now
(Nobody ain't laughing now)
Nobody ain't laughing now
Did you see his clothes?
Everyone said he looked like a mess, yeah
Okay alright (you think you're the leader)
About last night (we won't ever)
I was feeling strange (one last fling)
Slightly ashamed (don't worry it's alright)
Casual looks (when we were steaming)
Have said enough (don't worry it's alright)
You're changing scenes
Changing scenes
Hey scenesters, hey hey scenesters!
Hey scenesters, hey hey scenesters!
Hey scenesters, hey hey scenesters!
You all are in trouble now
(Someone's gonna cop it now)
Someone's gonna cop it now
Hey darling, hey hey darling!
Hey darling, hey hey darling!
Hey darling, hey hey darling!
Everybody loves you now
(Just don't go and let us down)
Just don't go and let us down
The Cribs's song Hey Scenesters! opens with a repetitive chant of "Hey scenesters," as if calling out to a specific group of people. The lyrics describe a particular kind of person who is "glamorous" but also looks like a "mess," suggesting a subculture of people who prioritize appearance above being traditionally put-together. The repeated phrase "You all are in trouble now / (Someone's gonna cop it now)" hints at a rebellious streak, suggesting a certain contempt towards authority figures.
The song seems to be simultaneously celebrating and critiquing the "scenester" lifestyle - the chorus switches between calling out to these people in both an affectionate and accusatory tone. The spoken-word bridge provides some insight into this tension - the lyrics describe a night of partying, which at first seems fun and casual, but ends with a feeling of shame and regret. The repeated phrase "Don't worry it's alright" sounds almost like a mantra, as if trying to convince oneself to let go of any negative feelings and just enjoy the moment. This seems to encapsulate the overall message of the song - a call to embrace the "scenester" lifestyle, but with a touch of cautionary advice to not let it consume one's identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey scenesters, hey hey scenesters!
Addressing the fashionable youth who are trendsetting and are a part of the underground music scene.
Hey darling, hey hey darling!
Addressing a specific person from the aforementioned scenesters.
You lot are in trouble now
(Someone's gonna cop it now)
Someone's gonna cop it now
Indicating that the time has come for the band to make it big, and that other bands / people are in trouble as they won't be able to compete.
Everybody's happy now
(Nobody ain't laughing now)
Nobody ain't laughing now
Everyone is happy and enjoying the moment after the long struggles and hardships the band had to go through to achieve success.
She was the glamorous type
There were times when you'd never have guessed it
Did you see her clothes?
Everyone said she looked like a mess, yeah!
The clothes that the girl wore weren’t always glamorous, but she was able to carry herself confidently even when things were going wrong or didn’t fit the typical fashion standards.
Okay alright (you think you're the leader)
About last night (we won't ever)
I was feeling strange (one last fling)
Slightly ashamed (don't worry it's alright)
Casual looks (when we were steaming)
Have said enough (don't worry it's alright)
You're changing scenes
Different scenes
The band members are reminiscing about their past, pondering over their experimental phase, their flings, and how they’ve moved on while the industry around them remains stagnant.
Everybody loves you now
(Just don't go and let us down)
Just don't go and let us down
The fame that has come to them might be a little overwhelming, but they need to stay consistent to keep the love of their fans.
Contributed by Jackson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben P
Back here in 2022, times passed, I’ve aged, the feelings from the song from way back then……….still there 🙏🏻
James Georgiou
I know right🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Gilberto Gastelum
una de las mejores bandas indie rock muy buena cancion
Alison Young
Haven't heard this song in about 5 years! Love it!
HC
When I was a teenager I practiced this song with my friends. i miss the good old days..
hamdigidy
saw these guy's at lollapalooza in 2007 and it was one of the real great suprise performances i saw that whole weekend, great band.
alexdelaville
true this album is really underated, it's a great record, one of my favorite indie albums of the last years
Heidi Southern
totally agree, amazing album,i've got all 3, excited bout the 4th and seen them 4 times!they totally rock!
Charlotte O'Leary
the cribs are amazing, enough said.
Dcee
absolutely on my "the best bands" list.