Gwenno and Ani Saunders were singers in the group with Gwenno occasionally taking to the keyboard.
The Pipettes, at that time consisting of Julia Clark-Lowes, Rose Elinor Dougall, and Becki Stephens and their backing band, The Cassette, formed at a seaside party in Brighton in 2003 and entertained audiences with their trademark polka dot dresses, doowop anthems and choreographed hand movements.
Their first major single, Dirty Mind, reached #61 in the UK singles charts with the follow-up, Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me, reaching #35 in April 2006. Their album, We Are the Pipettes, was released on 17th July including the new single, Pull Shapes which reached #26 in the UK Top 40 Singles Chart, after being released on 3rd July. We Are the Pipettes reached #41 in the album charts after its first week of release. Judy was the 4th single to be released from We Are the Pipettes; it failed to reach the UK Top 40, coming in at #46. However, it did reach #1 on the Indie Chart.
In 2005, The Pipettes completed successful headline tours in the UK and Europe, as well as high-profile support slots with The Magic Numbers, Graham Coxon, British Sea Power and The Go! Team, that has won them fans in high places including Radio One DJ Huw Stephens, and Radio 2's Mark Radcliffe.
A very small tour of America took place in early 2007; every show played was sold-out, culminating in six successful showcases at SXSW 2007. A tour of the UK and Europe in April and May 2007 was followed by a tour across north america, coinciding with the release of the EP Your Kisses are Wasted on Me in the US which reached #5. Through summer 2007 they played a number of festivals in Europe and Japan. October saw a tour of North America, although delayed by visa difficulties, along with the US launch of We Are The Pipettes, including two new songs. A Japanese launch followed with a Japanese tour in December, and 2008 was seen in by the band with a mini-tour in Australia.
In February 2008, Gwenno and Becki appeared at several events without Rose, namely a DJ set in Glasgow and three gigs with Mark Ronson in Brighton and London, leading to speculation that he would be producing their second album.
On April 18th 2008, The Pipettes announced the departure of Rose and Becki, meaning that the group now featured none of the original singers. They were replaced with Ani (Gwenno's sister) and a BRIT School graduate, Anna McDonald. They also reported they were currently demoing twenty to twenty-five new songs with a view to recording their second album in the summer of 2008.
The new lineup made its debut at Corsa Presents Bandstand with Mark Ronson on May 3rd 2008. The band performed Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling).
On November 12th 2008, the band announced another departure; this time of Anna, who had only been in the band for seven months. Anna's unexpected decision to leave and concentrate on her songwriting meant the band had to cancel their appearance at Sŵn Festival.
On February 11th 2009, the band posted a video blog on their website to introduce the newest Pipette, Beth Mburu-Bowie. With Beth, they are currently finishing work on their second album.
Previous members of the band include Julia Clark-Lowes (now of The Indelicates), Rose Elinor Dougall, Becki Stephens, Joe van Moyland (now of Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong) and Anna McDonald.
http://www.thepipettes.co.uk
Really That Bad
The Pipettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He never does what he is told (Oh no he never does)
They say he's several years older than the rest of us
But I don't don't know if that is true (Oh yes, you'd better believe it)
I once sat next to him in geography when he was thrown out of his class
He's got a tattoo on his arm (I wonder where else)
They say he'll only come to harm, but I can he that he
But what's beneath his smile ?
But what's beneath his smile ?
But what's beneath his smile ?
He's good enough to smile at me when he passes me in the corridor
He's good enough to know my name, 'cause I heard him once
So can he really be that bad ?
Can he bad that bad ?
Can he really really really be that bad ?
He's the boy that always stands by the bike sheds smoking on his own
And he once offered me a try (Oh did you really, did you try ?)
But I was always too shy, though I regret it know
Just to be near him for a while
I doubt he needs much longer
I doubt he needs much longer
I doubt he needs much longer
He's good enough to smile at me when he passes me in the corridor
He's good enough to know my name, 'cause I heard him once
So can he really be that bad ?
Can he bad that bad ?
Can he really really really be that bad ?
He's good enough to smile at me when he passes me in the corridor
He's good enough to know my name, 'cause I heard him once
So can he really be that bad ?
Can he bad that bad ?
Can he really really really really really really really really really really really be that bad ?
The Pipettes' song "Really That Bad" tells a story about a boy who is considered an outcast in school. He is older than the rest of the students and never follows rules. The singer, however, seems to have a soft corner for him. She even sat beside him in a geography class where he was thrown out of class. She notices that he has a tattoo on his arm and that he has a certain charm. She wonders what is beneath his smile, and the chorus repeats the question, "Can he really be that bad?" The boy is seen smoking by the bike sheds, and though he offered the singer a try, she was too shy to accept. The song ends with a confession that the singer doubts the boy needs much longer and reiterates the question, "Can he really be that bad?"
The lyrics of "Really That Bad" explore themes of teenage rebellion and social hierarchies in high schools. The song portrays the boy as a rebel and an outcast but also creates a sense of mystery around him. The singer seems to be drawn to him despite his reputation, implying that the boy is not as bad as he may appear. The repetition of the chorus question serves to highlight the boy's enigmatic personality, leaving the listener to wonder about his backstory and motivations.
Line by Line Meaning
He's the boy that always sits at the back of the class
He is the boy who always prefers to sit at the back of the class.
He never does what he is told (Oh no he never does)
He is not obedient and never follows instructions.
They say he's several years older than the rest of us
Rumour has it that he is several years older than the others in the class.
But I don't don't know if that is true (Oh yes, you'd better believe it)
However, I am not sure if it is true or not.
He's got a tattoo on his arm (I wonder where else)
He has got a tattoo on his arm that seems interesting.
They say he'll only come to harm, but I can he that he
People say he is trouble, but I can tell he
Has got a certain charm
Has some kind of attraction that draws me towards him.
But what's beneath his smile ?
However, I wonder what is behind his smile.
He's good enough to smile at me when he passes me in the corridor
He seems polite enough to smile at me when he crosses me in the hallway.
He's good enough to know my name, 'cause I heard him once
He happens to know my name because I overheard him once.
So can he really be that bad ?
So, the question is, can he be as terrible as people make him out to be?
He's the boy that always stands by the bike sheds smoking on his own
He is the boy who always stands by the bike sheds, smoking alone.
And he once offered me a try (Oh did you really, did you try ?)
Once he offered me a smoke, but I was too shy to accept it.
But I was always too shy, though I regret it know
But, being reserved, I never took the chance to try it, however, now I regret that.
Just to be near him for a while
Just to be close to him for a little time.
I doubt he needs much longer
I think it won't take long for him to change his way of life or attitude.
Can he really really really really really really really really really really really be that bad ?
Is it very very very very very very very very very very bad, beyond hope or can he still make a positive change?
Contributed by Alex D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.