According to the band, they formed in 1996 when Andy and Matthew met at the Blackwood Miners' Institute, a venue in their home town from which they were both ejected for dressing as miners. They subsequently met Jon at Reading Festival when they caught him urinating on their tent late at night.
Originally called Best, after early Beatles drummer Pete Best, the band signed to London label Seriously Groovy and released their debut record, the 3-track single Huwuno.
The changed their name to mclusky in 1999 (adopting a strictly lower-case approach to the band name, album and song titles), and the following year released their first album My Pain and Sadness is More Sad and Painful than Yours on the Fuzzbox label.
They then signed to Too Pure records and in 2002 released their second album, mclusky Do Dallas, which drew critical acclaim and international attention. In 2003, drummer Matthew Harding left and was replaced by Jack Egglestone, and in 2004 they released their third album The Difference Between Me and You Is That I'm Not On Fire to generally positive reviews.
Their second and third albums were recorded by Steve Albini, whose influence through his legendary work with bands such as Pixies, Nirvana and The Jesus Lizard, as well his own groups Big Black and Shellac, can be easily recognised in mclusky's dense, raw sound.
On January 7th, 2005, mclusky disbanded. The reason for this parting has been kept private although they insist the decision was mutual. There is speculation that tensions within the group developed following the theft of their instruments and equipment during their US tour in 2004; in any case it seems likely that Chapple wanted to develop his songwriting in a different direction and would not have the opportunity to do so while part of mclusky.
Following the split they released the compilation mcluskyism as a single CD ('A-sides'), and a limited triple CD version containing their a-sides, b-sides, a selection of demos and rarities, and a live recording from their last headline gig at ULU, London.
Jon Chapple went on to form Shooting at Unarmed Men, while Falkous and Egglestone teamed up with former members of Jarcrew to form Future of the Left.
She Will Only Bring You Happiness
mclusky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Be strong, be proud, be able
Be charmed, be extended, be in motion
Be at loggerheads with Chris
Like Chris, was crisp with Chris
Like Chris was crisp like Chris was crisp
Show yourself! Show! Show!
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
She started wondering
Where is the profit here?
Note to invading aliens
Avoid this town
Like this town avoided us
Like murder stalked the valley where
This woman used to live
And bathe, and breathe, and be murdered
Bathe, and breathe, and be murdered
Like Chris was crisp like Chris was crisp was Chris
Show yourself! show! show!
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
She started wondering
Where is the profit here?
Our old singer is
A sex criminal
Our old singer is
A sex criminal
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
She started wondering
Where is the profit here?
She started wondering
The lyrics to mclusky's song She Will Only Bring You Happiness are cryptic and surreal, much like many other songs by the band. The opening line, "Note to self, be a wreck by half past ten," is a command to the singer, who is addressing himself. It is arguably a nod to the punk tradition of self-destruction and self-loathing, as the singer is setting a goal to be a complete mess by a specific time. The next few lines seem to encourage the singer to be strong and confident, to be able to handle whatever comes his way. This contrast between weakness and strength is a recurring theme in the song.
The line "Be at loggerheads with Chris" seems to be a reference to a conflict with someone named Chris. It's unclear who this person is, but later in the song, the singer repeats the line "Like Chris was crisp like Chris was crisp," which suggests that Chris is somehow associated with crispness or sharpness. The repeated refrain "All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!" is similarly cryptic, but it suggests a feeling of oppression, darkness, and despair.
The final lines of the song seem to suggest that the singer is questioning the worth of his own existence, wondering "Where is the profit here?" The repeated reference to Chris, the mysterious conflict, and the sense of unease and darkness create a sense of danger and foreboding in the song, even as the meaning remains elusive.
Line by Line Meaning
Note to self, be a wreck by half past ten
Reminder to oneself to intentionally self-destruct or lose control by 10:30 p.m.
Be strong, be proud, be able
Encouragement to display physical strength, confidence, and capability.
Be charmed, be extended, be in motion
Motivation to be under the influence of attraction, expansion, and movement.
Be at loggerheads with Chris
Advice to maintain a dispute or disagreement with someone named Chris.
Like Chris, was crisp with Chris
Comparison to being sharp or clear in speech, actions, or interactions with someone named Chris.
Like Chris was crisp like Chris was crisp
Reiteration of the above comparison.
Show yourself! Show! Show!
Command to reveal or expose oneself or one's talents.
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
Metaphor for a bleak or dark environment that lacks joy or vibrancy.
She started wondering, Where is the profit here?
Expression of doubt about the worth or benefit of a particular situation or outcome.
Note to invading aliens, Avoid this town
Warning to extraterrestrial beings to steer clear of this area.
Like this town avoided us
Comparison to being shunned or avoided by this town.
Like murder stalked the valley where, This woman used to live
Imagery of danger or harm that haunted the area where a particular woman lived.
And bathe, and breathe, and be murdered
Suggestion that the woman lost her life in a tragic or violent way.
Our old singer is a sex criminal
Revelation that the former lead vocalist of the band has a criminal history related to sexual misconduct.
All the city was coal! Coal! Coal!
Restatement of the earlier metaphor to reinforce a negative or desolate portrayal of the city.
She started wondering, Where is the profit here?
Reiteration of the earlier expression of doubt about the value or benefit of a situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris
She said the Lord told her "Blackball". Well by this song, the blackball is certainly an intimidating factor, a threat. Now she dreams peaceful about the sky, and what approaches like a lake of water., "New Jerusalem" , an alien invasion?
I think I would prefer the Alien invasion by a more Godly name. The return of our Christ perhaps. Why would the boys sing that this town should be avoided, as to protect it? or deny them an award or access? They sing of a Karmic reason , being the Silver rule, do onto others as they did to us, or maybe 'Pay it Forward', Certainly not a Golden Rule as we would be hopeful for, that is unless both parties agree, then Paying it forward become the Golden rule.
I have seen hellish writing like this before, appear as if out of context speaking of an unfamiliar and boring story. I hope not to be as such to other.
What is it which is the desire NOT DOING UNTO OTHERS with the hope that they would in turn treat you also in like manner. Its not an unconditional gift, for surely I desire reward or profit. This feels selfish to want equality. This must mean that equality is an illusion, and now I get it, its all just a "Grand illusion" and deep inside we are all (Ready) the same. Chris
Post Script: Am I like a bowling pin to be knocked down again and again?
Llinos Jones
best album title of all time and so proud to be Welsh too! this song was a winner and reminds me so much of growing up in Pontypridd in the 90's. Such happy hope-filled days. Best music.
Gluemonkey
COAL!!! COAL!!
Lala woo
this song makes me happy i love it :)
ludwig71
Awesome band
Jimmy Lee Van De Putte
Very deep meaning if you feel it.
Haukur Hil
Ohhh I love this song!!!
JackInTheBox
RIP Too Pure: if there was ever a good record label, it was you.
Beady McBeadface
"ex criminal"??! Oh dear... I miss the original lyrics! ;) Awesome bowling pin though!
Literati Crux
Yeah it's sex criminal
Helena
a really, really, really amazing TV Show!