The original group consisted of Stefan Cush (Vocals, Guitar), Paul Simmonds (Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Keyboards), Phil "Swill" Odgers (Vocals, Guitar, Tin Whistle, Melodica), Jon Odgers (Drums, Percussion) and Shanne Bradley (Bass, Flute).
Their first single, "The Green Fields of France", was released in 1984. Written by Eric Bogle (of 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' fame), the song's protagonist imagined having a conversation with one of the fallen soldiers of World War I whilst sitting by his graveside. The song received considerable airplay on the John Peel show on BBC Radio 1 and finished at No.3 in Peel's Festive 50 for that year.
The following year came TMTCH's debut album, 'The Night of a Thousand Candles' and its accompanying single "Ironmasters" - this time a self-penned number by main songwriter Simmonds, linking the Industrial Revolution to the present-day treatment of the working class. The original final line of the song - "and oh, that iron bastard, she still gets her way" (a reference to the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher) had to be removed for the single version to ensure radio airplay.
In 1985 the band signed for MCA records and released "How Green Is The Valley". The record included "Ghosts Of Cable Street" a political number concerning The Battle of Cable Street in 1936 and "Shirt Of Blue" which regarded the miners' strike of 1984-5 . At the end of promotion for the album Shanne Bradley was replaced on bass by Ricky McGuire (ex UK Subs ).
In 1987 the band switched to Magnet Records and the new record released was, what may fans consider their best "Waiting For Bonaparte". Once again the strongest songs were stories of historical origin. "The Colours" told of an English mutineer sailor during the Napoleonic War and "The Crest" a stretcher bearer during World War II. Sadly whilst "The Colours" was at no.61 in the British top 75 it was blacklisted by Radio 1 due to the line "You've Come Here To Watch Me Hang", which echoed the events happening in South African townships at the time.
In 1988 the band were on the move again and signed for new label Silvertone (who later put out The Stone Roses debut release). Highlights of "Silvertown" included "Rain, Steam and Speed", "A Place In The Sun" and "A Map Of Morocco". They followed this up in 1990 with "The Domino Club" , which had a more conventional rock sound dispensing with much of the folk element in their sound.
Surprisingly the band split in 1991 after releasing a live set "Alive, Alive-0". Paul Simmonds and "Swill" Odgers then formed Liberty Cage who released an album "Sleep Of The Just" in 1994 and an EP "I'll Keep It With Mine" in 1995.
To the delight of their fans the band reformed (minus drummer Jon Odgers who had become Therapy? drum technician). Their new cd was "Never Born To Follow", released on the Demon label in 1996. The following year the band released the mini-album "Six Pack". Two "Best Of" collections followed "Majestic Grill" and "The Mud, The Blood And The Beer" both 1998.
The band again withdrew into semi retirement during which Odgers and Simmonds again relased new material together, "Baby Fishlips" in 1999 and "Folk At The Fortress" in 2002.
The band released a brand new cd in 2003 "The Cherry Red Jukebox", which most fans agreed was a real return to form. In 2005 the band released a DVD to celebrate 21 years together "21 Years Of Love And Hate". This was later released as a live double CD "Smugglers and Bounty Hunters". The band continue to play occasional live concerts. Their next planned release is an acoustic folk orientated cd, including reworking of several popular old songs from their back catalogue.
During breaks from the band "Swill" Odgers has released two Cd's with his band "The Swaggerband" which includes Ricky McGuire and Jon Odgers plus lyrical contribution from Paul Simmonds. They are "The Day After" in 2004 and "Elvis Lives Here" on Irregular Records in 2006.
Official Website http://www.tmtch.net/
Rawhide
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though the streams are swollen
Keep them doggies rollin', rawhide
Don't try to understand ′em
Just rope, throw an′ brand 'em
Soon we′ll be livin' high an′ wide
My true love will be waitin'
Be waitin' at the end of my ride
Move ′em on, head ′em up
Head 'em up, move ′em on
Move 'em on, head ′em up
Rawhide
Cut 'em out, ride ′em in
Ride 'em in, cut 'em out
Cut ′em out, ride ′em in
Rawhide
Keep movin', movin′, movin'
Though they′re disapprovin'
Keep them doggies movin′, rawhide
Through rain an' wind an' weather
Hellbent for leather
Wishin′ my gal was by my side
All the things I′m missin'
Good vittles, love an′ kissin'
Are waitin′ at the end of my ride
Move 'em on, head ′em up
Head 'em up, move 'em on
Move ′em on, head ′em up
Rawhide
Cut 'em out, ride ′em in
Ride 'em in, cut ′em out
Cut 'em out, ride ′em in
Rawhide
Keep movin', movin', movin′
Though they′re disapprovin'
Keep them doggies movin′, rawhide
Don't try to understand ′em
Just rope, throw an' brand ′em
Soon we'll be livin' high an′ wide
My heart′s calculatin'
My true love will be waitin′
Be waitin' at the end of my ride
Move ′em on, head 'em up
Head ′em up, move 'em on
Move 'em on, head ′em up
Rawhide
Cut ′em out, ride 'em in
Ride ′em in, cut 'em out
Cut ′em out, ride 'em in
Rawhide
Rawhide
The Men They Couldn't Hang's song "Rawhide" is a classic cowboy-themed song that describes the life of a cowboy on a cattle drive. The lyrics encourage cowboys to keep moving, despite the challenges faced along the journey. The repetition of the phrase "keep them doggies rollin', rawhide" emphasizes the idea of perseverance and determination. While the lyrics may appear to promote animal exploitation and domination, it is important to consider the context of the song and the time period in which it was written. The song reflects the era of cowboys and cattle drives, a time when animal husbandry was essential to the livelihood of American society.
The lines "Don't try to understand 'em, just rope, throw an' brand 'em, soon we'll be livin' high and wide" indicate that cowboys were not sentimental about their livestock. They treated them as commodities and used them to sustain their way of life. The lyrics "through rain an' wind an' weather, hell-bent for leather, wishin' my gal was by my side" convey the loneliness and hardship that cowboys faced during long cattle drives. The mention of "good vittles, love, and kissin'" implies that cowboys looked forward to the company of their loved ones, while on the trail.
Overall, "Rawhide" is a song that romanticizes the life of a cowboy but also represents the hardships and perseverance required to make a living in that era.
Line by Line Meaning
She rollin', rollin', rollin'
We keep moving forward, despite any obstacles that come our way.
Though the streams are swollen
Even when faced with challenging circumstances, we push through.
Keep them doggies rollin', rawhide
We must continue moving forward, like cowboys herding cattle.
Don't try to understand 'em
It's impossible to fully comprehend and control nature and animals.
Just rope, throw an' brand 'em
We exert our power over the natural world through force and control.
Soon we'll be livin' high an' wide
Our hard work will pay off and we'll reap the rewards of our labor.
My heart's calculatin'
I'm planning and strategizing in order to achieve my goals.
My true love will be waitin'
My loved one is the motivation that keeps me going.
Be waitin' at the end of my ride
I'll be reconnected with the person who is most important to me once my journey ends.
Move 'em on, head 'em up
We must continue to push forward and make progress.
Head 'em up, move 'em on
We are in control and leading the charge.
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in
We must separate some of the animals and bring them to a specific destination.
Ride 'em in, cut 'em out
We bring some of the animals back to our starting location by riding them.
Through rain an' wind an' weather
We are dedicated to our work and can handle any environmental conditions.
Hellbent for leather
We are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.
Wishin' my gal was by my side
I miss my loved one and wish they were with me on my journey.
All the things I'm missin'
I'm sacrificing certain things in my life in order to pursue my goal.
Good vittles, love an' kissin'
I miss the simple pleasures of life, like good food and physical affection.
Are waitin' at the end of my ride
Once I achieve my goal, I'll be able to enjoy the things that I've been missing.
Rawhide
This is the material we use to control the cattle.
Keep movin', movin', movin'
We must persist and keep making progress.
Though they're disapprovin'
Others may have their doubts or disagreements, but we remain focused on our goal.
Don't try to understand 'em
It's impossible to fully comprehend and control nature and animals.
Just rope, throw an' brand 'em
We exert our power over the natural world through force and control.
Soon we'll be livin' high an' wide
Our hard work will pay off and we'll reap the rewards of our labor.
My heart's calculatin'
I'm planning and strategizing in order to achieve my goals.
My true love will be waitin'
My loved one is the motivation that keeps me going.
Be waitin' at the end of my ride
I'll be reconnected with the person who is most important to me once my journey ends.
Rawhide
The material we use to control the cattle.
Writer(s): Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington
Contributed by Annabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Emmett Doyle
Glorious cowpunk!
Minko Probst
L_L :) God song L_L :)