Build
the beautiful soul and the housemartins Lyrics
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Housemartins
Now That's What I Call Quite Good...
Clambering men in big bad boots
Dug up my den, dug up my roots.
Treated us like plasticine town
They build us up and knocked us down.
From Meccano to Legoland,
Here they come with a brick in their hand,
Men with heads filled up with sand,
It's build.
Chorus:
It's build a house where we can stay,
Add a new bit everyday.
It's build a road for us to cross,
Build us lots and lots and lots and lots.
Whistling men in yellow vans
They came and drew us diagrams.
Showed us how it all worked out
And wrote it down in case of doubt.
Slow, slow, quick, quick, quick,
It's wall to wall and brick to brick,
They work so fast it makes you sick,
It's build.
Chorus.
Down with sticks and up with bricks,
In with boots and up with roots,
It's in with suits and new recruits,
It's build...
The Housemartins' song "Build" is a commentary on the construction industry's impact on the environment and how it affects the lives of people. The lyrics describe the process of urban development and how it disregards the natural environment and the lives of the people who live there. The song denounces the construction workers who come in with their big boots and uproot the trees and demolish buildings without caring for the people who may have called it home. They build new structures, which they knock down when it becomes inconvenient to them. The line "Treated us like plasticine town, they build us up and knocked us down" highlights the fleeting nature of urban development and how it can quickly destroy longstanding structures and communities.
The chorus of the song conveys a sense of irony as the lyrics encourage the building of a new house and a new road each day. Despite the catchy and upbeat melody, the song's message is poignant, calling for a greater consideration for the environment as well as the people who live in it. The song also touches on how industrialization leads to the displacement of communities, with old buildings being knocked down to make way for new ones. The bridge in the song, "Down with sticks and up with bricks, In with boots and up with roots, It's in with suits and new recruits," emphasizes the singer's opposition to the series of changes that industrialization entails.
Overall, the lyrics of "Build" by The Housemartins are a commentary on environmental destruction, specifically in the context of urban development. Through the upbeat melody and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, the song highlights the importance of considering the environment, the impact of construction industries on communities, and the constant cycle of urban development.
Line by Line Meaning
Clambering men in big bad boots
Men with authority and power are forcefully altering my life and disrupting my stability.
Dug up my den, dug up my roots.
They have disturbed my sense of home and belonging, leaving me feeling vulnerable and uprooted.
Treated us like plasticine town
We were molded like clay or plastic to fit their expectations and desires, leaving no room for our own choices or individuality.
They build us up and knocked us down.
They used us for their own gain and then discarded us when no longer useful, proving that in their eyes, we were disposable.
From Meccano to Legoland,
From simple building blocks as children to elaborate creations as adults, we have always had the desire to construct and create.
Here they come with a brick in their hand,
Those in power continue to come armed with the tools to shape and manipulate our lives in their image.
Men with heads filled up with sand,
Despite their claims of expertise and certainty, those in power are often ignorant and misguided.
It's build.
The desire to create and build is relentless and ongoing, with no end in sight.
Whistling men in yellow vans
These individuals, now disguised as helpers, come to continue their quest of construction, still driven by their own motives.
They came and drew us diagrams.
They demonstrated their perceived expertise and authority by mapping out our lives for us, leaving no room for us to make our own choices.
Showed us how it all worked out
They provided a false sense of security and control, outlining the path that they determined we should take.
And wrote it down in case of doubt.
They documented their plans for us, ensuring that their power and control over our lives would persist, even if they were not physically present.
Slow, slow, quick, quick, quick,
The process of construction is both methodical and urgent, with no rest or pause for those involved.
It's wall to wall and brick to brick,
The environment is constantly changing, with no regard for those who must adapt to these rapid shifts.
They work so fast it makes you sick,
The pace of progress is dizzying and disruptive, leaving those impacted feeling overwhelmed and unmoored.
It's build.
The relentless desire to construct and create continues, with no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
Chorus:
Reinforcing the message that the process of building is never-ending.
It's build a house where we can stay,
The desire for stability and permanence leads to the construction of houses and buildings, which become our home base.
Add a new bit everyday.
The process of construction is never truly complete, as there is always room for improvement and expansion.
It's build a road for us to cross,
The need for infrastructure and connections leads to the construction of roads and bridges, which enable us to move from one place to another.
Build us lots and lots and lots and lots.
The continuous demand for construction and expansion is insatiable, with each new creation fueling the desire for the next.
Down with sticks and up with bricks,
The methods of construction evolve over time, with older, more primitive materials being replaced by newer, more durable ones.
In with boots and up with roots,
The people involved in the construction process change as well, with new laborers replacing older ones, and people moving to new areas to follow the construction boom.
It's in with suits and new recruits,
Even those who appear to be working against the interests of the oppressed (the suits) are drawn in by the power and lure of construction, leading to the continual influx of new workers and supporters of the process.
It's build...
The never-ending cycle of construction continues, with no sign of stopping anytime soon.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN PETER CULLIMORE, PAUL HEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind