In a state of disillusionment, Cathal Coughlan walked out of the wonderful and melodically rich - but lyrically barbed - Microdisney and formed the Fatima Mansions, setting up stall in 1989. His former Microdisney partner, Sean O'Hagan, went off to form the High Llamas and perfected his obsession with 'Smile'-era Beach Boys drenched tunefulness but Cathal had other ideas and there were times when the Mansions' screaming indignation and eclectic belligerence went off the scale.
Underneath it all was his dry and off-centre humour that many may have missed in highlights like the viciously compulsive rant 'n' roll epic 'Blues for Ceausescu' and the truly schizoid 'Angels Delight'. Other tracks veered in all kinds of unpredictable directions and styles - savage electronics, pure dance pop, soaring balladry, scabrous industrial noise, acoustic grandeur, hellish Wagner-esque vaudeville, crazed psychobilly, traditional folk, etc.... The Fatima Mansions at their mightiest were an incredible tour de force that simply refused to be pigeonholed! Indeed, very few bands at the time were in quite the same league.
Aided and abetted by a chillingly intense group of musicicans including Andreas O'Gruama, Nick Allum, Nick Bagnall, and Hugh Bunker, the Mansions captivated, thrilled, provoked and confounded through 3 full albums and a couple of mini albums. Their live gigs were often equally cathartic rituals which met with critical approval and rave reviews. They even scored an unlikely hit [on the back of the Manic Street Preachers' cover of the Theme From M*A*S*H] with their irreverently skewed take on Bryan Adam's eternal number 1 hit Everything I Do (I Do It For You).
Since their demise in 1995/6, Coughlan has been recording and performing solo and, with a much more acoustic and controlled sound allied to his ever caustic lyrics and fantastic voice, remains a true one-off. He is still awaiting a more widespread critical appraisal and overdue recognition that his rare talent truly deserves.
I do it for you
The Fatima Mansions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
("What have you (???)")
("When a man and a women take care of these--")
Look into my eyes and you'll see
what you mean to me
Such a heart, oh yes, such a soul
You'll find me there; you'll search no more
Don't tell me, it's not worth trying for
You can't tell me, it's not worth dying for
You know, it's true
that everything I do, I do it for you
You make me crazy
("I haven't had an orgasm, you jerk.")
Look into your heart, and you will find
there's nothing at all there to hide (hide, hide)
Take me as I am, take my life
I will give it all; I would sacrifice
Don't tell me, it's not worth fighting for
I can't help it; there's nothing I want more
You know it's true, yup
that everything I do, I do it for you
There's no love (no love)
There's no love, (no love)
There's no love, (no love)
There's no love, (no love)
and there's nowhere (you're nowhere)
Ignite and I must be there (you're nowhere)
There's nowhere (you're nowhere)
Oh, wait, yeah
Can't tell me it's not worth trying for
I can't help it, there's nothing I want more
You know it's true (it's true)
that everything that I do do,
I do it for you (you, for you, for you)
I, I do it, I do it, I do it you know
you know I do it, when I'm alone
when I'm in public
when I'm on the bus
when I'm in the bathroom
I do it for you
It is important to note that the lyrics of The Fatima Mansions's song I Do it for You has somewhat of a double meaning. While on the surface, the lyrics seem to be a love song, they are actually meant to be a commentary on societal expectations and gender roles. The opening lines, "Big size really doesn't matter. You think I got really big muscles in my pussy?" are meant to challenge the idea that physical appearance and sexual prowess are the most important things for a man or a woman to have. The use of the word "pussy" is also meant to be a way of taking back control of a word that is typically used to belittle women.
The chorus is where the love song aspect comes into play, with the lyrics "Don't tell me, it's not worth trying for. You can't tell me, it's not worth dying for. You know, it's true that everything I do, I do it for you." However, this could also be interpreted as a criticism of the societal expectation for women to constantly put their own wants and needs aside for the sake of their partner or family. The lyrics "I will give it all; I would sacrifice" could be seen as an example of this expectation.
The final lines of the song, "I do it for you. I do it when I'm alone. When I'm in public. When I'm on the bus. When I'm in the bathroom. I do it for you," are meant to be a tongue-in-cheek way of referencing masturbation and suggesting that, ultimately, everyone is responsible for their own pleasure and satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Look into my eyes and you'll see
what you mean to me
Such a heart, oh yes, such a soul
You'll find me there; you'll search no more
I deeply care for you and will always be there for you.
Don't tell me, it's not worth trying for
You can't tell me, it's not worth dying for
You know, it's true
that everything I do, I do it for you
I believe in our love and will do anything to make it work, even if it means risking my life.
You make me crazy
("I haven't had an orgasm, you jerk.")
You frustrate and disappoint me in our physical relationship.
Look into your heart, and you will find
there's nothing at all there to hide (hide, hide)
Take me as I am, take my life
I will give it all; I would sacrifice
I love and accept you completely and am willing to give up everything for you.
Don't tell me, it's not worth fighting for
I can't help it; there's nothing I want more
You know it's true, yup
that everything I do, I do it for you
Our love is worth fighting for and I am willing to do anything to make it work.
There's no love (no love)
There's no love, (no love)
There's no love, (no love)
There's no love, (no love)
and there's nowhere (you're nowhere)
Ignite and I must be there (you're nowhere)
There's nowhere (you're nowhere)
Oh, wait, yeah
There is no love or happiness without you in my life, and I need you to be truly happy.
Can't tell me it's not worth trying for
I can't help it, there's nothing I want more
You know it's true (it's true)
that everything that I do do,
I do it for you (you, for you, for you)
I will never give up on our love and will always strive to make you happy.
I, I do it, I do it, I do it you know
you know I do it, when I'm alone
when I'm in public
when I'm on the bus
when I'm in the bathroom
I do it for you
I am constantly thinking about you and am willing to do anything for our love, even in private or uncomfortable situations.
Contributed by Zoe B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CapriciousP
This was one of the highlights on the excellent Ruby Trax Album of covers commemorating 40 years of NME. Worth seeking out.
Colin Mcsloy
That's what sent me here!
mileshedgehog
The only acceptable version of this song. R.I.P. Cathal Coughlan 💔
Brian Heneghan
This has to be one of the best covers ever made.
Paul T
The definitive version. RIP Cathal.
Sephene
LOVE LOVE LOVE this track. Thanks for uploading!
Ranulfo Sosa
Me 2
circedge
A surreal masterpiece.
Libertino Radio
Fabulous. Thanks for all the great noises Cathal, I am switching the fridges off, r.i.p..
mileshedgehog
it is time once again for me to spread this song around.