At its formation the band consisted of Paul Heaton (vocals), Stan Cullimore (guitar), Ted Key (bass) and Chris Lang (drums). The band's membership changed frequently throughout its existence. Ted Key was replaced by Norman Cook (who later became internationally famous as big beat musician Fatboy Slim) and drummer Chris Lang was replaced by Hugh Whitaker, former drummer with The Gargoyles, who in turn was replaced with Dave Hemingway. The band split in 1988.
The band often referred to themselves as "the 4th best band in Hull," referring to Kingston upon Hull, the city in England where the band formed in 1983. (The three bands that were "better" were Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and The Gargoyles.)
In 1986, the band broke through with the single Happy Hour, which reached No. 3 in the UK charts helped by a claymation animated pop promo of a type that was in vogue at the time. At the end of the same year, they had a No. 1 single with a cover version of Isley Jasper Isley's Caravan of Love.
The band released three albums: London 0 Hull 4, The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death, and the greatest bits compilation Now That's What I Call Quite Good. A new collection, Best of the Housemartins, was released in 2004, and was available in a expanded edition with a DVD collecting their music video clips.
The Housemartins lyrics were an odd mixture of Marxist politics and born-again Christianity, reflecting Paul Heaton's beliefs at the time.
The band split in 1988, but the members have since remained friends and worked on each other's projects. Norman Cook has enjoyed significant success with both Beats International and then as Fatboy Slim, while Heaton, Hemingway and roadie Sean Welch formed The Beautiful South. Stan Cullimore has become an author of children's books. Despite repeated requests from fans, they have never reformed.
In 1993, former drummer Hugh Whitaker was convicted of assault after attacking his business partner James Hewitt with an axe. Whitaker was subsequently released from prison and now resides in Leeds, where he occasionally drums with local band Percy. Whitaker is also a member of The Malkies fronted by Alistair Hulett.
You Better Be Doubtful
The Housemartins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rich up in the castle haven't finished eating yet
They'll throw you a bone or a spat-out stone
But knowing them that's all you'll get
Tailor, you better close another shop
No-one wants your quality, make do with what you've got
They'll let you survive
The'll let you get by
You better be doubtful
You better beware
You better not shout now
You better not care
Tinker, you better buy another boot
Those "Pocock Continental" are finally showing through
We'll get you a pair
From a second-hand fair
They'll only have 'a two'
Sailor, you better sink a few more ships
Admiral loony Nelson cannot find his game of risk
We'll lose a few lives
A couple of tribes
But knowing him he'll like his lips
You better be doubtful
You better beware
You better not shout now
You better not care
From Queen Wilkinds to Queen Victoria
We've had a promising side
From King Callaghan to Bonny Prince Francis
We've paid up and we've cried
Princess Gower and Princess Ferguson
We've looked a hard nut to crack
But we're weak at the.........Back!
The Housemartins's song You Better Be Doubtful is a satirical criticism of the ruling class and their treatment of common people. The lyrics are directed towards various professions and carry an overall message of hopelessness and negativity. The song's tone reflects the band's socialist beliefs and their concern for the growing inequality in society.
The first verse addresses a gambler, urging him to place another bet because the wealthy people in the castle are not yet done with their feast. The rich are portrayed as greedy and uncaring, only willing to throw scraps at those who are not in their social class. The second verse speaks to a tailor, who is told to close another shop because no one is interested in his high-quality work. The message here is that the working class is not valued and even their skills are considered expendable.
The chorus, "You better be doubtful, you better beware, you better not shout now, you better not care," suggests that the common people should be cautious and guarded against the system because there is no real hope of change. The third verse is directed towards a tinker, who is told to buy another boot because his prestigious boots are starting to show wear and tear. In the final verse, the message is directed towards the sailor, who is asked to sink a few more ships because Admiral Nelson is unable to find his game of risk. The final lines "but we're weak at the... Back!" is an indication of how society is fragile at its core, despite its outward show of strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Tinker, you better place another bet
You should gamble again because the wealthy people have not finished enjoying their great wealth and you might be able to get a small portion of it.
The rich up in the castle haven't finished eating yet
The castle-dwelling rich people are still consuming their riches and have not yet finished their luxurious lifestyle.
They'll throw you a bone or a spat-out stone
They might give you a small gift or an object they no longer need but won't give you much more than that.
But knowing them that's all you'll get
Based on their character, you should not expect to receive more than just a small offering.
Tailor, you better close another shop
As a tailor you should close your business because no one appreciates the quality of your craftsmanship anymore, and you should make it through another way.
No-one wants your quality, make do with what you've got
Your talent as a tailor is not appreciated by anyone, so you should adjust to your situation with your current resources.
They'll let you survive
People might provide you with the means to get through, in some way or another.
The'll let you get by
They might provide you an opportunity to sustain yourself, but it won't be much.
But knowing them, they'll let you rot
Knowing them, they will leave you to your own devices and allow you to suffer.
You better be doubtful
You must be suspicious of anyone's motives.
You better beware
You should be cautious since people have conflicting interests.
You better not shout now
It's better not to express yourself too loudly.
You better not care
You should not worry too much since people don't have your best interest in their minds.
Tinker, you better buy another boot
You should purchase another shoe because your current one is ruined.
Those 'Pocock Continental' are finally showing through
The boots you have, named 'Pocock Continental,' are at last beginning to deteriorate.
We'll get you a pair
We'll acquire for you a new set of shoes.
From a second-hand fair
We'll purchase your new shoe at a used products bazaar, where everything has been owned before.
They'll only have 'a two'
The only pair of shoes in your specific size is of poor quality or intensely worn, which is why it's the only option presented.
Sailor, you better sink a few more ships
As a sailor, you should wreak more havoc at sea.
Admiral loony Nelson cannot find his game of risk
Admiral Nelson is struggling with his military stratagems and is unable to win.
We'll lose a few lives
People will be injured or perish.
A couple of tribes
Groups of people who are opposed will suffer.
But knowing him he'll like his lips
You can rest assured that Admiral Nelson will find joy in the chaos and bloodshed.
From Queen Wilkinds to Queen Victoria
A succession of queens from Wilkinds to Victoria were encountered.
We've had a promising side
We've had a hopeful and optimistic experience.
From King Callaghan to Bonny Prince Francis
Monarchs such as Callghan and Prince Francis were the subject of talk.
We've paid up and we've cried
We have provided both affirmation and dissatisfaction in equal measure.
Princess Gower and Princess Ferguson
Princesses Gower and Ferguson have drawn attention.
We've looked a hard nut to crack
We have seemed formidable and challenging to overcome.
But we're weak at the.........Back!
Yet, we are fragile in our 'backs' (our vulnerabilities) and can therefore be overcome more easily than anticipated.
Contributed by Aiden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.