Leeds University art students Jon Langford and Tom Greenhalgh formed the Mekons in 1977, taking the band's name from the Mekon, an evil, super-intelligent Venusian featured in the British 1950s-1960s comic Dan Dare (printed in the Eagle). The band first gained widepread popularity with the single "Never Been in a Riot," a satirical take on the Clash's "White Riot." For several years the loose-knit band played noisy, bare-bones post-punk in the vein of fellow Leeds students Gang of Four. Yet Langford and Greenhalgh never hewed closely to genre conventions, and by the mid-80s (now augmented by vocalist Sally Timms and violinist Susie Honeyman) they began to experiment with musical styles derived from traditional folk and country. 1985's watershed Fear and Whiskey, 1986's The Edge of the World and 1987's Honky Tonkin' exemplified the band's new sound, which built on the innovations of Gram Parsons and blended punk ethos with the minimalist country of Hank Williams. This style, sometimes referred to as "post-modern country", is a direct forerunner of the alt-country genre represented by bands like Uncle Tupelo.
Jon Langford has been busy as an artist and as founder of several solo and band projects: namely the Waco Brothers (a country-like ensemble) and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts (exploring the music of Bob Wills, Johnny Cash and others). Besides his solo albums he has released CDs with Richard Buckner and Kevin Coyne.
Subsequent albums such as The Mekons Rock 'n' Roll, while containing several straightforward rock songs, continued to explore the boundaries of the punk genre by utilizing diverse instrumentation (notably the fiddle and slide guitar) and Timm's haunting vocals.
The Mekons Rock 'n' Roll was the band's first major label release. Issued by A&M Records in 1989, it was not a commercial success, but it was met with critical acclaim. Arguably the best album of their career (alongside Fear and Whiskey), it is perhaps the most accessible synthesis of their experiments in country, rock and punk.
Just as the Mekons began to grow in critical stature, their relationship with A&M Records became more tense, and unable to fulfill their commercial expectations, the Mekons were soon dropped by the label. However, not only did the band remain intact, they continued to record at a prolific rate, releasing such notable albums as 1991's Curse of the Mekons, 2000's Journey to the End of the Night, and 2002's OOOH!.
The band continues to tour under an altered lineup, and has a highly devoted following.
Where Were You
The Mekons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was buying you a drink where were you?
I was crying home in bed where were you?
I watched you from a distance did you see me?
I was standing a queue did you see me?
I had yellow hair did you see me?
I want to talk to you all night do you like me?
I want to find out about your life do you like me?
The Mekons's song, "Where Were You," is a passionate ode to unrequited love. The lyrics depict a person who is desperately waiting for their lover to show up while questioning their whereabouts. The imagery is poignant and raw, providing a candid portrayal of love in all its complexity.
The opening line, "I was waiting in a bar where were you?" sets the tone for the song. It is clear that the singer's lover is late, and their tardiness is causing them pain. The repetition of the question is a cry of frustration, as the person is left standing alone while their heart races with anticipation. The next line, "I was buying you a drink where were you?" furthers the frustration, suggesting that the singer is willing to spend money on their lover, yet their love is not reciprocated.
As the song progresses, we see the singer slowly falling apart. "I was crying home in bed where were you?" is a gut-wrenching line that conveys the pain and tears associated with unfulfilled love. The repetition of "where were you?" further emphasizes the frustration and hurt of not being with the one you love. The lines "I want to talk to you all night do you like me? / I want to find out about your life do you like me? / Could you ever be my wife do you like me?" express the singer's desire to connect and commit to their lover. However, the repeated question "do you like me?" implies that the singer is uncertain of their love's feelings towards them.
Line by Line Meaning
I was waiting in a bar where were you?
I was patiently holding my ground in a bar, expecting to meet you there, where were you?
I was buying you a drink where were you?
I was getting you a beverage as a gesture of kindness, where were you?
I was crying home in bed where were you?
I was lamenting my sorrowful state, alone in my bed, where were you?
I watched you from a distance did you see me?
I observed you from far away, did you happen to notice me?
I was standing a queue did you see me?
I was waiting in line, were you there nearby to see me?
I had yellow hair did you see me?
I had a distinct feature of yellow hair, did you happen to see me?
I want to talk to you all night do you like me?
I desire to converse with you for the entirety of the night, do you hold any fondness towards me?
I want to find out about your life do you like me?
I yearn to learn about your existence, do you feel a similar way towards me?
Could you ever be my wife do you like me?
Would you consider becoming my life partner, do you possess any attraction towards me?
Contributed by Audrey I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
etienne rabiller
When I was waiting in the bar, where were you?
When I was buying you a drink, where were you?
When I was crying home in bed, where were you?
When I watched you from a distance, did you see me?
You were standing in a queue, did you see me?
You had yellow hair, did you see me?
I want to talk to you all night, do you like me?
I want to find out about your life, do you like me?
Could you ever be my wife, do you like me?
When I was waiting in the bar, where were you?
When I was buying you a drink, where were you?
When I was crying home in bed, where were you?
When I watched you from a distance, did you see me?
When I was standing the queue, did you see me?
You had yellow hair, did you see me?
I want to talk to you all night, do you like me?
I want to find out about your life, do you like me?
Could you ever be my wife, do you love me?
Peter Tenconi
Fantastic song which brings back many memories. I went to see them at a small venue when this song first came out. My mate and I were try to learn to play guitar so just before they started playing this song we asked the guitarist what chords he was playing . He told us and then whilst playing the song, he called out the chords to us so we could see exactly what he was doing. I was about 14 at the time and it made a huge impression on me. Great song, great band.
hrgiyzueghe
Wow, what a story! A great guy and a great musician!
World War Ride
that is awesome
Tim Dickson
This is one of the best comments on YouTube, if not the whole internet. Obscure, uplifting, nostalgic and very personal but completely relatable.
The Adventures of Rick and Jill
I was just recently exposed to The Mekons. Outstanding band. I can’t stop listening.
I am the walrus Cuckoo kachoo
A superb band that I wouldn't have been aware of if it wasn't for John Peel. I was born in 1980 and my parents loved there Punk Rock bands so it rubbed off on me from an early age.
Beth Crossley
Greatest track of all time. Means so much to me. I'm 53 now. Where's it all gone. Music is timeless.
Mike Rusty
Beth Crossley ......I'm 62 and still love this track. "Fast Product - The First Year Plan is imho the greatest compilation album ever. Still proud to have my original copy.
Stephen Watson
54 now and my feelings exactly
La Part des Choses
I am dead... and listening it in the dust