* Feargal Sharkey (lead vocals),
* John O'Neill (guitar),
* Damian O'Neill (guitar, keyboards and vocals),
* Michael Bradley (bass and vocals), and
* Billy Doherty (drums).
John O'Neill was the original main song writer, with his brother Damian and Mickey Bradley writing in various solo & combined variations for most of the remainder.
Sharkey's power pop tenor was distinctive, and the band regarded a tight ensemble. By 1977 they were performing their own three-chord pop punk material influenced by Nuggets-type material and Ramones, and in 1978 released their debut four-song EP Teenage Kicks on Good Vibrations. It became a hit with support from DJ John Peel, who considered that EP's title song (Teenage Kicks) his all-time favourite. The song has been covered by many including boyband Busted (at the 2003 Brit Awards), American group The Raconteurs, Swedish band [aritst]Sahara Hotnights and French band Nouvelle Vague.
The original band released four studio albums:
* The Undertones (1979)
* Hypnotised (1980)
* Positive Touch (1981)
* The Sin Of Pride (1983).
Falling sales linked to their changing musical direction and tensions within the band, leading to their split in 1983. A compilation album titled All Wrapped Up featured a woman dressed in lunch meats wrapped in clear plastic on the (non band approved) cover. Several other compilations including the superb BBC sessions CD Listening In (named after a song on their first album) (2004) exist.
The O'Neill brothers went on to form That Petrol Emotion. The Undertones reconvened in 1999, initially to play a few shows in their hometown of Londonderry, replacing singer Feargal Sharkey with a similarly warbling new recruit, Paul McLoone. Since this time, the band has continued to play a small number of gigs each year in various places around the world.
The band have also released two further studio albums:
* Get What You Need (2003)
* Dig Yourself Deep (2007)
NOTE: There is another band with this name - The Undertones, a subset of the University of Notre Dame Glee Club who sing a capella arrangements of popular songs. For more information on these guys, check out www.nd.edu/~utones.
My Perfect Cousin
The Undertones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's sure to go to heaven
Always spotless clean and neat
The smoothest you can get them
He's got a fur lined sheepskin jacket
My ma said they cost a packet
She won't even let me explain
That me and Kevin were just not the same
Oh my perfect cousin
What I like to do he doesn't
He's his family's pride and joy
His mothers little golden boy
He's gotta degree in economics
Maths - physics and bionics
He thinks that I'm a cabbage
Cos I hate university challenge
Even at the age of ten
Smart boy Kevin was a smart boy then
He always beat me at Subbuteo
Cos he flicked the kick
And I didn't know
Oh my perfect cousin ..
His mother bought him a synthesizer
Got the Human League into advise her
Now he's making lots of noise
Playing along with the art school boys
Girls try to attract his attention
But what a shame it's in vain total rejection
He will never be left on the shelf
Cos Kevin he's in love with himself
Oh my perfect cousin
The Undertones' song 'My Perfect Cousin' is a humorous take on the concept of a perfect family member who is seemingly flawless and ideal in every single way. However, as the lyrics progress, we see the singer slowly revealing the flaws that lie beneath the perfect exterior. The song is set up like a playful back-and-forth between the singer and his cousin Kevin, with the singer trying to explain to his mother that he and Kevin just aren't alike. Kevin is described as always being "spotless clean and neat," and even his fur-lined sheepskin jacket is pointed out as an example of his impeccable style. His intelligence is also highlighted, with references to his degree in economics, maths, physics, and bionics, as well as his early victories over the singer in Subbuteo.
The chorus of the song, "Oh my perfect cousin, what I like to do he doesn't," provides a catchy hook that emphasizes the differences between the singer and Kevin, and the second verse adds to this, highlighting Kevin's newfound love of music and his rejection of female attention. Despite Kevin's supposed perfection, the singer can't help but reveal his flaws, which range from his poor taste in television shows (he hates University Challenge) to his tendency to love only himself. Through it all, the song's upbeat and bouncy melody keep things lighthearted and humorous, making 'My Perfect Cousin' a delightful ode to the imperfect nature of family relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, I've got a cousin called Kevin
Introducing the titular character of the song, Kevin, who is the singer's cousin.
He's sure to go to heaven
Kevin is a good person and highly regarded by those around him.
Always spotless clean and neat
Kevin is very well-groomed and takes good care of himself.
The smoothest you can get them
Kevin is very suave and sophisticated.
He's got a fur lined sheepskin jacket
Kevin has an expensive and fashionable piece of clothing.
My ma said they cost a packet
The singer's mother believes the jacket was very expensive.
She won't even let me explain
The singer's mother is not interested in hearing excuses or explanations.
That me and Kevin were just not the same
The artist believes that they are different from Kevin in terms of personality or behavior.
Oh my perfect cousin
This is the chorus of the song, in which the artist admires Kevin.
What I like to do he doesn't
The artist and Kevin have different interests or hobbies.
He's his family's pride and joy
Kevin is highly valued and loved by his family.
His mothers little golden boy
Kevin is very dear to his mother.
He's gotta degree in economics
Kevin has a degree in economics.
Maths - physics and bionics
Kevin is knowledgeable in these areas.
He thinks that I'm a cabbage
Kevin believes that the singer is foolish or unintelligent.
Cos I hate university challenge
The artist dislikes the television show, University Challenge.
Even at the age of ten
When Kevin was young, he was already very intelligent.
Smart boy Kevin was a smart boy then
This line reiterates Kevin's intelligence as a child.
He always beat me at Subbuteo
Kevin was better than the singer at playing the game of Subbuteo.
Cos he flicked the kick
Kevin had a technique for playing Subbuteo that the artist did not know how to do.
And I didn't know
The artist was not aware of Kevin's technique.
His mother bought him a synthesizer
Kevin's mother purchased a synthesizer for him.
Got the Human League into advise her
Kevin's mother consulted with the pop group, The Human League, for advice on buying the synthesizer.
Now he's making lots of noise
Kevin is playing music on the synthesizer.
Playing along with the art school boys
Kevin is playing music with students from an art school.
Girls try to attract his attention
Girls want to be noticed by Kevin.
But what a shame it's in vain total rejection
Kevin ignores the attempts of girls to get his attention.
He will never be left on the shelf
Kevin will always have someone interested in him.
Cos Kevin he's in love with himself
Kevin is very confident and self-centered.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@orlaithkelly563
Lyrics
I've got a cousin called Kevin
He's sure to go to heaven
Always spotless, clean and neat
As smooth as you'll get 'em
He's got a fur lined sheepskin jacket
My ma said they cost a packet
But she won't even let me explain
That me and Kevin we're just not the same
Oh, my perfect cousin
What I like to do he doesn't
He's his family's pride and joy
His mother's little golden boy
He's got a degree in economics
Maths, physics and bionics
He thinks that I'm a cabbage
'Cause I hate University Challenge
Even at the age of ten Smart boy
Kevin was a smart boy then
He always beat me at Subbuteo
'Cause he 'flicked to kick'
And I didn't know
Oh, my perfect cousin
What I like to do he doesn't
He's his family's pride and joy
His mother's little golden boy
His mother bought him a synthesiser
Got the Human League into advise her
Now he's making lots of noise
Playing along with the art school boys
Girls try to attract his attention
But what a shame, it's in vain, total rejection
He will never be left on the shelf
'Cause Kevin, he's in love with himself
Oh, my perfect cousin
What I like to do he doesn't
He's his family's pride and joy
His mother's little golden boy
@temphold1
Gets the blood flowing, just like Feargal is trying to do with our rivers now in the UK as a campaigner. Well done Mr Sharkey, respect.
@stevesgaming7475
Indeed!
@harrystick3705
Yes, love him.
@keithashmore2371
Top bloke 👍
@TrophyGuide101
You just watch Gone Fishing? Great show
@NorryJones-kg1se
Starkey reformed girrrrl pirate is gud 2 X
@cpreston8996
This is an absolutely superb song. Thank you Derry for the Undertones.
@John-ro1iv
Ahem. Londonderry if you please.
Fuck that shit Derry all the . Tiochfaidh ar la!!!!!!😘
@helpgirlimtrappedinthetestube
@John slowly deletes paragraph
@SAHB
And my name is Frank