Backstreet Lovers
The Crookes Lyrics
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of the crooked, Backstreet Lovers and sons
Lawless law men walk the streets of
Dirty meadows of foul mouthed mothers and guns
Brick blacked-up kids mugged me the day I
ran off with your sister
a young school maid, caught up in a world of
Backstreet Lovers.
at least that's what she said.
Rotting teeth of a grubby gran
fill the alleys of the stolen roll-ups and blunts
a skin-head dad came cap in hand
with a duster and flash of switch blade fun
still on the dole, though the picket was broken
a soiled age ago.
But he's caught up, caught up in a world of
Lovers and sons, I waved her away to a friend
at least that's what she said
Tangled in the roots and tangled in the weeds
of a concrete jungle came that girl from Leeds
in torn dress and tights,
she ain't no slag.
i won her over with a '40 bag.
I waved her away to a friend
at least that's what she said
Razor tea-cups and tip top craic
of the crooked, Backstreet Lovers and sons
Lawless law men walk the streets of
Dirty meadows of foul mouthed mothers and guns
Brick blacked-up kids mugged me the day I
ran off with your sister
a young school maid, caught up in a world of
Backstreet Lovers.
Lovers and sons, I waved her away to a friend
at least that's what she said.
Rotting teeth of a grubby gran
fill the alleys of the stolen roll-ups and blunts
a skin-head dad came cap in hand
with a duster and flash of switch blade fun
still on the dole, though the picket was broken
a soiled age ago.
But he's caught up, caught up in a world of
Lovers and sons.
The Crookes's song "Backstreet Lovers" depicts a gritty, working-class world of poverty, violence, and social decay. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the band's hometown of Sheffield, England, where the backstreets are filled with lawless gangs, foul-mouthed mothers, and rotting buildings. The singer of the song tells the story of how he fell in love with a girl from a world of "backstreet lovers" but ultimately had to wave her away to a friend.
Some of the images in the song are particularly striking. The "razor tea-cups" suggest a world where even the most mundane objects can be used as weapons. The "grubby gran" with her "rotting teeth" evokes the loneliness and desperation of the elderly who live on the margins of society. The skinhead dad who comes "cap in hand, with a duster and flash of switch blade fun" is a poignant reminder of how easily violence can erupt in such a world.
Despite the bleakness of the song, there is also a sense of hope and connection. The singer's relationship with the girl from Leeds shows that love can still exist even in the harshest of environments. And the fact that he is able to wave her away to a friend suggests that there is still some sense of community and support in this world of backstreet lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
Razor tea-cups and tip top craic
The environment of the backstreets is dangerous and unpredictable.
of the crooked, Backstreet Lovers and sons
The people who frequent the backstreets are often dishonest.
Lawless law men walk the streets of
Even the people in charge are often involved in shady dealings.
Dirty meadows of foul mouthed mothers and guns
The area is full of confrontational and violent people.
Brick blacked-up kids mugged me the day I
Young children are already being pulled into the dangerous lifestyle of the backstreets.
ran off with your sister
Narrator committed a questionable act that caused problems for him.
a young school maid, caught up in a world of
The singer's sister was just a young and naive girl.
Backstreet Lovers.
The people who frequent the backstreets are those who don't fit into society's norms.
Lovers and sons, I waved her away to a friend
The artist tried to distance himself from the situation he caused.
at least that's what she said.
The artist is unsure about what actually happened after his actions.
Rotting teeth of a grubby gran
The people who live in the backstreets are often neglected and/or dirty.
fill the alleys of the stolen roll-ups and blunts
Drug use is rampant in the area.
a skin-head dad came cap in hand
Even fathers are involved in the dangerous lifestyle of the backstreets.
with a duster and flash of switch blade fun
Violence is a common occurrence in the area.
still on the dole, though the picket was broken
The singer's father was involved in a labor protest and now is jobless.
a soiled age ago.
This occurred a long time ago and the artist seems to feel shame for referencing it.
But he's caught up, caught up in a world of
Even those who try to get away from the backstreets can't escape them.
Lovers and sons.
The people who frequent the backstreets are those who don't fit into society's norms.
Contributed by Ian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ssera.
It's 2022 and i'm still obsessed with their songs 🥰
honeyshed
Saw these guys live last week in london, they were brilliant, bought their CD on the way out and haven't stopped playing it since..
Bookerella
i love love love this kind of band and music. i hope you guys won't stop having fun with this. you made my day!
MrGertrudo
I'm Italian and I don't understand what they say in this song but I always love this song ! It's amazing ! The crookes <3
junn
10 years later it still brings the feels
tweedledumable
I love you guys so much and I'm so happy you got a record deal, but I gotta say, the original version of this song is so much better. Still, love you guys to death. You're amazing.
Kerry Edwards
Well done at Ynot Fest! You guys were incredible. Great sound, great performance. It's bands like you that make me love music.
Colum Rogers
The tone and the melody are just so beautiful. Love it!!
Renata
I love the UK bands. Really, in Brazil we did'nt have such good songs performed by young people like this...
The Tennents
Amazing! Looking forward to supporting you at fruit next month! Looking forward to hearing the new album