His musical career began in the early 80’s playing drums and bass for two bands, The Mob and Zounds, on the anarchist punk label Crass Records, and touring Europe and UK several times over.
A burgeoning fascination for funk led to him striking out on his own, which led to signing to EMI and recording an album as The Neighbourhood, which was a seven piece band (including Dexy’s original horn section) he subsequently put together. More touring followed, and a spot featuring as a singer on Afrika Bambaataa’s album The Light.
Two more solo albums followed, and stints working with the Horny Horns, Lee Perry and reggae singer Bob Andy amongst others, before the Acid House boom took him, along with many others, in a different musical direction.
What followed was several albums, twelves and ep’s, under various guises on labels such as Reflex, Germany’s Source and San Francisco’s Reflective. This was purely electronic music, with no involvement of any instrumental playing or singing; as a long time singer and player of guitar, bass, drums, brass and keyboards, this was a period of stripping back, influenced by the “faceless techno bollocks” represented by artists and labels such as Aphex Twin and Basic Channel.
It was followed after a while by two albums of more pronounced musicality welded to the electronic and dance music values he had explored in the previous few years. These were his solo album Everything on PIAS Recordings (an album of songs taking in lo-fi, jazz standard and electronic-tinged folk influences) and Variations under the moniker Soul Ascendants (along with DJ Nick the Record) on Nuphonic. The latter was a mixture of house, jazz and afro-beat, featuring collaborations with Fela Kuti’s bandleader and drummer from the Africa 70, Tony Allen.
Both these albums were released in 2000, and it was at this time that he was asked to contribute as writer and vocalist to Groove Armada’s third album Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub). This preceded a period of touring with the band during 2001 – 2002 as vocalist, also helping on trumpet, guitar and keyboard duties, and featuring as vocalist on their next album Lovebox.
Moving on once again, at the end of 2002 he toured with Paul Oakenfold in the States as lead and bass guitarist and vocalist to promote the Oakenfold's album Bunkka, and then as bass player with the breaks-based outfit Hybrid, providing live the bass parts Peter Hook had played on record.
In late 2003 he started working with Tom Findlay from Groove Armada, leading to a remix album Launchpad Remixes.
In 2004 Tim provided horns on several songs on Ian Brown’s album Solarized. He also co-wrote and played guitars and bass on song Time Is My Everything.
Didn't I Say
Tim Hutton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It makes no sense at all to just go steaming in
That's what I said
Didn't I know what a baby could have known
Didn't I tell you it would make a grown man grow
Cry and pain
Didn't I tell you everything that's on my mind
Still I wait for you to reply in kind
Well that's just fine
Didn't I say x4
Didn't I hit nails on the head
Put all the FACS to bed
Got a light bulb forehead
And you're going to see me glowing in a world
Didn't I say you start messing me around
To counterbalance any happiness I found
Along the way
Didn't I say x8
The lyrics of Tim Hutton's song "Didn't I Say" are about a person who is reflecting on their past relationship with someone who did not listen to their advice. The person compares their situation to that of Ho-Chi-Minh, who was a Vietnamese leader during the Vietnam War. The singer acknowledges that it does not make sense to just go "steaming in" without thinking about the consequences, as they had warned their partner before. They repeat the phrase "Didn't I say" throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of communication and listening.
The singer also mentions that they had predicted the outcome of their relationship and the pain that it would cause. They knew what a "baby could have known" and had warned their partner that it would make a grown man cry and feel pain. The person reflects on how they had communicated their thoughts and feelings to their partner, but had not received the same level of understanding in return. Despite this, they continue to wait for their partner to respond "in kind," suggesting that there is still hope for the relationship.
The lyrics also touch on the singer's frustration with their partner's behavior. They mention that they had "hit nails on the head" and "put all the FACS to bed," implying that they had been clear and honest in their communication. The person also describes themselves as having a "light bulb forehead," suggesting that they have had a moment of realization or enlightenment about their situation. They end the song by repeating "Didn't I say" multiple times, emphasizing the importance of communication and listening in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Didn't I say just like it was with Ho-Chi-Minh
I implied that we should approach the situation with caution like how it was done during the Vietnam War.
It makes no sense at all to just go steaming in
It is illogical to act hastily without any proper plan or evaluation.
That's what I said
I reiterated my point to ensure that it was understood by the listener.
Didn't I know what a baby could have known
The situation was so obvious that even an infant would have understood its outcome.
Didn't I tell you it would make a grown man grow
I made it clear that the challenge would test and develop one's character.
Cry and pain
There will be emotional and physical distress involved in the process.
Didn't I tell you everything that's on my mind
I disclosed all my thoughts and feelings on the matter to you.
Still I wait for you to reply in kind
I am anticipating and hoping for a reciprocal response from you.
Well that's just fine
Regardless of your reply or lack of it, I am content with expressing myself.
Didn't I hit nails on the head
I precisely struck the important points and came to the right conclusions.
Put all the FACS to bed
I eliminated any doubts or uncertainties by analyzing and settling all the facts.
Got a light bulb forehead
I have a bright and intelligent mind.
And you're going to see me glowing in a world
My brilliance and success will be visible and recognized by others.
Didn't I say you start messing me around
I warned you that your behavior towards me would cause harm or trouble.
To counterbalance any happiness I found
Your actions would nullify or outweigh any joy or contentment that I experienced.
Along the way
Throughout our journey or relationship.
Didn't I say x8
I repeatedly declared my insights and perspectives to emphasize their significance.
Contributed by Cameron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.