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If you had to pick one Rats song as a favourite for lyrics only what would it be?
I'd go for Eva Braun personally; the notion of Hitler effectively giving a Hello type interview and the hurt self-defensive theme throughout is genius.
Just picturing the man saying the lines brings the song alive for me. Don't know about others but I like to put an image to most songs.
Rat Trap or Joey big favourites for similar reason.
Interested to hear other views of top set of lyrics and your reasons.
Going back to my teenage years, I used to love Joey and the lyric about the brickwall gravestone ... saying nobody could be bothered to rule here ok, also Living in an Island where the lyrics are so miserable but somehow it makes you feel upbeat after listening to it! Rat Trap is also a fave - just full of despair but so brilliantly expressed. God I don't know how I turned out so well after listening to this music all those years ago! I do remember just sitting and reading the lyrics all the time while the albums were playing (had loads of time then) and when I saw the Rats in Reepham last summer could remember most and sing along - but strangely enough if someone were to ask me to write the lyrics down I just wouldn't be able to ... they only come back whilst listening to the songs. Also - just to really show off - at the end, when I got to say hello to Simon he had noticed that I was singing along, said they always loved it when they could see there were real fans in the audience. Just as well he couldn't hear me though - I have a dreadful voice
I also love I Can Make It If You Can, very emotional - and it struck a chord when my teenage son had an op recently, don't know why as lyrics aren't relevant but somehow the title just meant something.
Just to cheer myself up after all that, I do like Having My Picture Taken as well - quite fun! I remember them doing it on Jim'll Fix It! Though that sounds a bit unlikely now - maybe I dreamt that!
Talk about being set an impossible task, and where to begin. Without doubt the Boomtown Rats produced great lyrics as well as music and I'm presuming the man you love to hate [well some of you!] was responsible for most of them.
I've always loved Never In A Million Years as a song- it expresses some unspecified defiance than anyone especially a teenager at the time might be able to relate to. Sometimes its fragments oflyrics or just one or two lines in a song can make it personally meaningful. I keep saying it but I just loved Geldof's singing with the Rats. There's an emotional factor in his delivery which adds to the bands unique sound- I said it before but he could sing the Bognor Reglis telephone book and I would be impressed. I know all this is subjective- beauty being in the eye of the beholder etc. So ArrGee leave me with my illusions.
I would be here till the cows come home if I were to comment on all the lyrics that have being meaningful or clever or witty or whatever. Most of my favourite Rats songs also overlap with favourite lyrics- A Hold Of Me is way up there as well as Real Different. I like Geldof's cynical take on life being a bit of a cynic myself so anything with a lot of sarcasm or cynicism appeals also.
-- Edited by noelindublin on Wednesday 2nd of March 2011 02:22:29 PM
And to quote ArrGee, "I also like Clockwork for the metaphors", I think I might need some help there. What's it alluding to? Never really analysed that one I must admit.
Obviously it's proving difficult to isolate one track, and it's fair to say Bob was one of the better lyricists over the last 30 odd years. Still interested to hear what favourites there are though, even just the odd lines, but particularly why.
Conversely, if narrowing it down is difficult or the cows have already got home, where do you think Bob got lazy or dropped his standards. Think we know ArrGee's vote; I'd probably select Charmed Lives, banale and absolutely littered with my personal bugbear of na-na-na's. No coincidence that it's my least favourite track so, like Noel it seems, lyrics have a big part to play for me.
Perversely, with Eva Braun, I really like the la-la-la section. Lucky he didn't write it as na-na-na eh?
And Lisa, if we ever meet at a gig, I'll also be singing along, and your voice must be better than mine.
Just thinking about this last night. The lyrics for When The Night Comes are really fantastic touching on a perennial Rats theme of boredom and stagnation in life"The humdrum and mundane is nearly driving them insane/ You get hooked so quick to anything/ even your chains/You're crouching in your corner till then open up your cage."
Frankie finds that "Every days the same" so why not get drunk and maybe take a chance on the stuck up bitch in marketing. Don't think there is a better song about the drudgery of office life. These lyrics read well even without the music. You could call it an office bound Rat Trap.
I always see the lyrics for Like Clockwork as existential - "Your're born in tears and you die in pain/ that's your limit/ You're looking for a reason but there's none there/ Why don't you admit it...." Maybe Sartre or Kierkegaard could have written them if the had been in a band!
Don't think they lost it lyrically but some of the songs are more spare, lacking lyrical density but good nonetheless. I for some reason always love the line in To The Bitter End -" And when the wind bites cold/ look at the rain / England in May". The Weather here in Ireland in usaully the same but its Geldofs world weary and sometimes bleak outlook I actually like!
For a single line example I love the line from Over Again- " We're better than this/you know that's true/ Love and the world spits at you".The Rats music has been the soundtrack of my psychodrama for the past thirty years and like all songs sometimes a few lines out of context of the rest of the song will be personally significant.
-- Edited by noelindublin on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 02:04:30 PM
Strangely enough, apart from Rats' lyrics which I still know and love, I don't really tend to listen to the lyrics in songs nowadays - not sure if that's due to my age and declining hearing or just that I haven't enough time to listen to them. I tend to enjoy loud guitar music more - I can still hear that! Though of course if there were new Rats songs to be released, I would make sure that I concentrated a bit more - subtle hint.
Suss, if I ever see a guy on his own singing at a gig, surrounded by a huge space, then I know it will be you
Dave for me, because it is could be for a friend of mine - so sentimental reasons, I suppose. I also like When the Night comes forget about the day that brought you here, just because... seems popular!
suss wrote:And to quote ArrGee, "I also like Clockwork for the metaphors", I think I might need some help there. What's it alluding to? Never really analysed that one I must admit.
the concept of understanding one thing in terms of another
ok, strictly speaking they are similies, but I couldn't think of that term at the time!
"Think in sync like clockwork" "Mind keeps time like clockwork" "Plugged into my surroundings"
and a couple of others, it's just how all the lyrics metaphorically relate to the clock mechanism.
Suss, if I ever see a guy on his own singing at a gig, surrounded by a huge space, then I know it will be you
By the way, have you thought of any more quizzes?
Ha, proves nothing, that could easily be Bob Geldof.
And think I'm banned from quizzes for time being. Have no fear, after Lent I'll have loads I'm sure
I also like the line 'Nobody could be bothered to rule here ok' - simultaeously sums up teenage rebellion and apathy perfectly. Incidentally it always makes me think of a wall down the side of a house on a corner going up Gipsy Hill in South London where someone had sprayed "The Boomtown Rats" about 2 foot high and 5 foot wide. Must have lasted at least 2 years from around 78 I'd guess. Anyone on here want to own up?
Back to lyrics, I think the line 'Flirt with death but never kiss her' is classic, and 'You scratch my back and maybe I'll claw yours' is also brilliant (think Noel might have referenced that one previously).
As for When The Night Comes, I never really rated that until later years, which ties in with the fact it's one for office workers rather than teenagers to relate to I suppose. 'Office bound Rat Trap' - Inspired. Think Noel should write lyrics himself maybe.
Surely another quiz would be ok, just one .......... I'm very bored and need some lighthearted stuff! And there have been lots of sensible posts in between!
If Noel gives permission I'll try to think of something.
I really like these games and quizzes and am trying to think some up myself.
I can give some ideas for others to set the questions, for example a crypticcrossword with all the answers relating to Rats songs but I'll let someone cleverer than me give their own cryptic clues. A simpler easy version might be interesting too.
How about a Rats limerick starting with something like -There was five young lads from Dun laoghaire..... and then complete the limerick hopefully in an amusing way.
Or what is the longest single word used in any of the Rats songs and how many letters does it contain? Dont think Geldof ever managed to get antidisestablishmentarianism into any of his songs!
I love the idea of a limerick! But can you help out with correct pronounciation of Dun Laoghaire (had enough trouble spelling it!) - would it rhyme with hairy or beery (though not suggesting either would be applicable )
Thank you, Noel. Went to Wicklow about 5 years ago, visited Glendalough, Bray and Avoca amongst other places - it's a very pretty area. Also enjoyed sampling Guinness and Jamiesons - though not in the same glass!
Suss you must work as a professional crossword setter these are so good and so difficult. I was only throwing out some ideas but this is above and beyond the call.
Been to Selhurst Park on a few occasions when I lived in London - Palace is a nice club. Must check their result against Burnley.
Will have to take these slowly as they're are bloody cryptic.
Starting on the across clues
1 Nightlife thugs 8 Glass 10 Down 12 The Top 15 Hi 23 Or 28 Africa
Down 1 Night 2 Graveyard 4 Fourth 5 House 6 Story 11 Spanish 25 Trouble 26 Two 30 Number 32 Malta
Working on the others but it will take some time.
-- Edited by noelindublin on Sunday 6th of March 2011 02:44:15 PM
-- Edited by noelindublin on Sunday 6th of March 2011 02:54:13 PM
-- Edited by noelindublin on Sunday 6th of March 2011 03:07:57 PM
-- Edited by noelindublin on Sunday 6th of March 2011 03:16:37 PM
-- Edited by noelindublin on Sunday 6th of March 2011 03:25:18 PM
It's also too addictive and am going to get in trouble for not getting other stuff done soon! 19 D - scratch 18 A- must 14 D- Rat
OK - that's it now, otherwise children won't have school uniform ready for tomorrow and will have to go to school in their pyjamas - don't know, that might catch on ...............
That Pig takes drug, lights up one is really bugging me. I'll have to trust the power of my subconscious mind to come up with something as I do other things, back tomorrow!
Also City was a concrete jungle? Full marks for ingenuity and lateral thinking Suss.
Hi again! I've got the pig one - it's Beacon, though not entirely sure why! Much too clever for me to work out the reasoning. Have had to spend an awful half hour though listening to the only album I've got on a cassette and it is slightly mangled so not a pleasant sound ... though not my favourite album anyway
It is much harder than the fruit quiz, Suss - though I have to admit I found that fairly tricky too!
I think 31 across is THOMS as in the trombone player listed on the cover of the In the Long Grass LP - and I really cannot believe that I have spent half an hour looking for that! I am a very sad person obviously! (Though not the only one I suspect/SUSSpect!) And now I must go and make dinner otherwise my boys will be ringing ChildLine
Thoms is correct. Very well done on that one - thought I'd throw it in to cause some confusion. He was the fella with tash and beret, who was previously in Landscape (Einstein a Go Go).
Banana Republic one was British Airways (BA) Grandmother (NAN) letters are certainly not private (ARE PUBLIC).
I'll try to knock up another one during my interweb exile.
Anyway, think between you it's pretty much covered (congrats to all participants) so last couple are explained as follows:-
Snake gets tail cut off leading to some radical views (2) = As(p) some radical views
Buzzer cut short at end of album 1 side 2 track 2 (2) = Close as you'll ever be(e)
Bit desperate I'll admit...
and finally
New York songstress nearly....comes twice at the start of third single (2) = Gaga (at start of She's So Modern)
-- Edited by suss on Monday 7th of March 2011 09:53:33 PM
-- Edited by suss on Monday 7th of March 2011 09:55:16 PM
Thoms is correct. Very well done on that one - thought I'd throw it in to cause some confusion. He was the fella with tash and beret, who was previously in Landscape (Einstein a Go Go).
Banana Republic one was British Airways (BA) Grandmother (NAN) letters are certainly not private (ARE PUBLIC).
I'll try to knock up another one during my interweb exile.
Anyway, think between you it's pretty much covered (congrats to all participants) so last couple are explained as follows:-
Snake gets tail cut off leading to some radical views (2) = As(p) some radical views
Buzzer cut short at end of album 1 side 2 track 2 (2) = Close as you'll ever be(e)
Bit desperate I'll admit...
and finally
New York songstress nearly....comes twice at the start of third single (2) = Gaga (at start of She's So Modern)
-- Edited by suss on Monday 7th of March 2011 09:53:33 PM
-- Edited by suss on Monday 7th of March 2011 09:55:16 PM The official lyrics say la la la la so I was going by them, hence my reference to Laurie Anderson of O Superman fame who is from New York and deserves a wider listenership. Laurie is way to cultured for the likes of Lady GAGA anyway!l
I would be interested in doing another crossword like that at some stage, no rush at the moment, and certainly it must have involved some work in setting the clues. What hampered me a little is that when I printed out the crossword grid it was fairly small and I couldn't see the numbers of the clues too clearly so had to keep cross referencing with the on screen crossword. Next time if its possible to get a larger sized crossword that can be printed so that the numbers are easily visable it would be great.
The La La La La-La ref must be for the bit after guitars kick in surely. We all know the first sound heard is ga ga ga ga, same as we all know Rat Trap never got sung with there was an awful lot of rocking....but point taken about official lyrics.
Point taken about grid size too. That was frustrating as a big and perfectly legible grid loaded into post preview but no matter, what I did to reduce it, it raised a 'comment too large' error. Then tried to attach as Excel or PPT but could only find options to load image. So converted to a JPG that on my machine was reasonable size but as a viewable image seemed to reformat.
Will keep playing, and happily take some advice from moderators or techie bods. I've only worked in IT for 22 years so can't expect me to know. Maybe I should be a professional crossword writer...def more fun.
-- Edited by ArrGee on Tuesday 8th of March 2011 10:47:56 PM
Still got 45 or so minutes to spout drivel so I'm making the most of it. Sounds like you're well equipped to put a crossword together with that pedigree, and more importantly load one that's legible.
Look forward to catching up on new posts etc in a few weeks. Regards to all.
'And the buildings themselves seem to sigh from the effort of standing, while the trees and the people are bent from the effort of dying'
if we're talking from 'b' sides, this line is my favourite - although Real Different has excellent lyrical content too - 'a wicker chair away from rehabilitation' - class.
Gave Europe Looked Ugly an outing earlier, what a superb track.
I do like someone who can riff around a theme. I also like themes that are a little dark. So I give you, Talking in Code:
C'mon give us a sign Wave us a flag or flash me an eye you talk in code and you talk in signs Wave those hands and you flash those eyes I don't understand when you blind me with science Inscrutable view with a new slant on things Ah semaphore girl
You took the risk and you opened up Pandoras Box Looked what jumped out Now someone's gone and stolen all the locks Its all the rage....
They use their feet these days
Don't talk to me of teenage love and burning fire I don't believe it all excuses are the same You're searching round for scapegoats everywhere you go Look in the mirror and you'll know just who to blame Oi Oi
Why? - because after 32 years and thanks to Jules/Bob, I now fully get them and like the context in which they're used
Great glam rock references and how the trivial can be critical when youre young. Absolutely love almost all lines in this brilliant new single, just grows on me every day. I feel 40 years younger these past few weeks.
From. Dave time heals believe the view from on your knees deceives. Quite poinent and moving had friend some years ago who was struggling these lyrics were quite important to us
From. Dave time heals believe the view from on your knees deceives. Quite poinent and moving had friend some years ago who was struggling these lyrics were quite important to us
Agree Mike. As mentioned above by Suss, this song has some tremendous lyrics : eg Flirt with death, but never kiss her. The unfairly maligned Pete Townshend once said this was the greatest song of 1984. They have meant something to me at low points.
It's much less the lyrics here, and more how they're put into the song but...It's All The Rage
"Don't talk to me of teenage love, it's rare to find, I don't believe it. All excuses are the same. You're searching round for scapegoats everywhere you go, Look in the mirror, and you'll know just who's to blame"
It's much less the lyrics here, and more how they're put into the song but...It's All The Rage
"Don't talk to me of teenage love, it's rare to find, I don't believe it. All excuses are the same. You're searching round for scapegoats everywhere you go, Look in the mirror, and you'll know just who's to blame"
They're great and also further up in a slightly different version :
Don't talk to me of teenage love and burning fire
Think we got Jules to ask Bob direct on lyrics as we were unable to decipher on here. But Bob may not have had perfect recollection.....
The forthcoming book will confirm. Hope it confirms Drag me Down US version lyrics
The unfairly maligned Pete Townshend once said this was the greatest song of 1984. They have meant something to me at low points.
unfairly maligned? Iit's quite a compliment from the man WHO wrote some of the greatest music of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
I was saying over the years, on a couple of issues, Pete has been unfairly maligned. That means he's had bad press and I think it was maybe unfair. Then I said he had commented that Dave was the greatest song of 1984. I agree that's quite a compliment from a man like him.
Then I was saying that the lyrics to Dave have meant something to me at low times in my life. I don't know how to make it any clearer.?
It's becoming difficult to comment on this site unless there is razor-like accuracy and clarity in what you're trying to say, without somebody jumping down your throat.....