Rhythm guitarist Dave Pritchard, bass guitarist Greg Masters and drummer Roger Spencer were the core of a band initally known as Billy King and the Nightriders, then later known as Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders and briefly as just The Nightriders.
In 1966 they advertised for a new guitarist/vocalist, Jeff Lynne applied and joined the band. After releasing one single they changed their name to Idle Race. Under Jeff Lynne's leadership they released two albums that sold poorly, despite support from John Peel and Kenny Everett.
In 1970, Jeff Lynne decided to join The Move so he and Roy Wood could work on what would eventually become Electric Light Orchestra
The remaining members of The Idle Race recruited 2 new members and released one further album. After Greg Masters left the group they became The Steve Gibbons Band.
Hurry Up John
The Idle Race Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And tie this rope around your head she said
Hurry up John (hurry up John)
Hurry up John (hurry up John )
Then she rolled me up and said
I look very strange without a head
It was time I should be gone
I've gone too near the edge, you'll fall she said
Hurry up John (hurry up John)
Hurry along (hurry along)
Then she rolled me up and said
I'd look very strange without a head
It was time I should be gone
But I was waiting for John to take me home
The Idle Race's song "Hurry Up John" tells the story of a woman who is seemingly madly in love with a man named John. However, the lyrics suggest that her love is more of a possessive and perhaps even destructive nature. She speaks of carving her name into him, tying a rope around his head, and urging him to hurry up repeatedly. The line "then she rolled me up and said I look very strange without a head" is particularly troubling, as it implies she may have harmed him in some way. The overall tone of the song is one of urgency, fear, and obsession.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd love to carve my name of him she said
She had a desire to claim John as her own.
And tie this rope around your head she said
She had disturbing thoughts of harming John.
Hurry up John (hurry up John)
She urges John to move faster in order to satisfy her impatient demands.
Then she rolled me up and said
She physically restrained John to carry out her twisted will.
I look very strange without a head
She threatened to harm John's physical appearance by removing his head.
It was time I should be gone
She realized her behavior was inappropriate and it was time for her to leave.
But I was waiting for John, to take me home
Despite her realization, she still had a reliance on John.
I've gone too near the edge, you'll fall she said
She became self-aware of her dangerous behavior towards John and warns him of the risks.
Hurry along (hurry along)
She continues to push John to comply with her wishes before it's too late.
Contributed by Brooklyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.