Ian Dury was an interesting man - it's worth looking into his life. He contracted polio at an early age and died too young of cancer. I'd definitely recommend travelling down this particular rabbit hole.
RIP Ian Dury, there’ll never be another like him. What a writer he was, check out Sex & Drugs & Rock ‘n Roll, What A Waste, Reasons To Be Cheerful & Sweet Gene Vincent (it’s a tribute to one of Ian’s idols, Gene Vincent).
Bass player is Norman Watt Roy, one of the best bass players to ever walk this planet. Part of a brilliant band of musicians who still tour in the UK to this day, 40 odd years on. Saw Norman in the Wilko Johnson band a few years ago, stood just a few yards from him as he played. He was coveting his bass as if he would never play it again, a wonderful experience. I shook his hand and said hello outside the venue. Lovely man. He and Wilko were superb. RIP Ian Dury, poet genius.
I just heard about him yesterday - apparently he contributed the famous bass riff to Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Of course, all the Blockheads were brilliant!
I was lucky enough to see the band a half dozen times in the 70's, and more recently Norman Watt-Roy the bass player a few times in the Wilko Johnson band (the only tickets I could get to the Farewell tour in 2013 involved a trip to France, well worth it). Is there a better bass line on any song?
@@shaynesparkes8740 Your uncle. He always brings a smile to my face for some reason, I don't know why. Probably his handle bar moustache and the way he moved. Happy days.
I managed to speak to him on the platform at Euston train station, a few years back. Norman was carrying his bass guitar in its case, and a big bag, as he was heading up North to a gig. I recognised him straight away, and walked up to him and offered to shake his hand, and he was so respectful, and glad that I recognised him, and was happy to chat for a couple of minutes. I told him that he was one of my bass idols, and he was really happy and smiled. He gave me an autograph on the back of one of his cards. It takes pride of place in my scrapbook of autographs from musicians.
I remember being transfixed by this song when it appeared on Top of the Pops in England. That freaking bass line needs to be sent off into space so it'll be heard by the entire universe to let them know how bloody good it is to be human...
His album "New Boots and Panties" is one of the best - the band has some amazing musicians! A genius who captured Art, Poetry, Music in 70's/80's/90's UK. Spoke up for Disabled people too, as a child victim of Polio. Fascinating mix of pathos, comedy, rebellion and grit.
Loved Ian Dury, what a wordsmith! "Sweet Gene Vincent" and "There ain't half been some clever bastards" are absolute classics, one of a kind, sadly missed, but never forgotten.
I love this. Its so low down dirty, steamy, old school basement club in the late hour fantastic. Ian Dury and the Blockheads are red hot and made a moment in music that scorches to this day and makes you play it again and again - hit meeee!
A brilliant poet fronting a skilled jazz band. The bass on this song is complex and amazing. I believe it was written about his walking stick. Also, 2 sax at the same time.
Bingo callers used to say 'two fat ladies' when 88 came out the hat, 'clickety click' when it was 66. Ian's referring to that. He was a lyrical genius with a particular fondness for how Londoners ('cockneys') used to speak. If you like his lyrics check out the song 'Blockheads'. Makes me laugh everytime I hear it.
So nice to see a young dude get as much enjoyment out of a song that us oldies can remember from when they were released. I saw Ian Dury and the Blockheads at the Birmingham Odeon (in England) in 1981, still remember it with a huge smile today 😊
Totally unique loved Ian Dury....like others said 🙏 RIP . Suffered with polio most of his life, but great human being and fantastic music. 79 was the year I left school. This is in my own personal songbook of life.....
my dad (hes 59) used to randomly joke about the chorus and it was funny as a child but now he doesnt say it anymore but this is just really nostalgic for me wow bro thank you for reacting to it.
He was singing in french and German once in the same sentence.he got polio at 7 left him with a shriveled hand and leg.he died of cancer age 57 in 2000.2010 there was a bio pic named after his song sex and drugs and rock n roll.andy serkis who was golem in lord of the rings,ceasr in planet of the apes played him.
Can't believe you did this one, kudos from a nobody 55-year-Old from the UK :) I'm glad you liked it Jayvee we have so much more from the UK music at the time for you to listen to
Aaah Ian Dury, what an absolute legend he was 😍 thanks for reacting to him Jay. “What A Waste” is my favourite song of theirs from 1978, it’s got a great mellow groove to it. Cheers!
I absolutely adored Mr Dury - what a gent! And survivor, poet, musician. (And so ahead of any socially correct movement. Two fat persons refers to the socially played game of BINGO (Lotto) where the common name for calling out 88 is 2 fat ladies.) He also sang about mental and physical health stigma and taboo well ahead of others. Plus, you have to appreciate the musicians he accumulated - my fav version of rhythm stick is probably this - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CBIRj3JW3h0.html - so much going on, (2 saxes at once, anyone?) but just keep your ears on Norman Joseph Watt-Roy on bass. Absolute class. The Blockheads music was really well produced in its release era as well.
Still one of my favourite songs EVER!! First heard this in 1979 when I was 13 and it definitely hit me with their rhythm stick. Loved your reaction to the end of the song. Could see that coming 😂
Omg, I remember this one! Haven't heard it in a long time. Thanx for reminding me of so many good old tunes and the fun I was having back when this was on the radio😁🎶💙🎧
Good reaction, JayVee. Your enthusiasm matches the upbeat nature of the song 👍👍👍 You'll have lots of suggestions of more Ian Dury and The Blockheads tracks to react to. All will have lyrics with wit, charm and mischief 😏 Ian D was very British (English even) BTW. The "two fat persons" in lyrics is a play on the Bingo caller's "two fat ladies" for the number 88 - just more PC 😛
You seem think this is the only version of this song. I bought it also on a 45 which is much longer and ends on a fade, not abruptly. I love this song, "Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3" and other songs of Ian Dury.
I still can't believe I bought this on a 7 inch single Forty Six years ago, and here we have this young man absolutely digging it. Just goes to prove great music is timeless.
I saw Ian Dury and the Blockhead Several Times in the Late 1970 and the 80S. The Best Times were at the Crystal Palace Park Bowl London July 1981 and the Brixton Academy London 1990. Nice One from South London.
I remember my stepdad bought NBAP and for the 1st listen played it really loud. It was great, right up until Plaistow Patricia, mum hit the roof ha ha ha I think the whole street heard it!
Ian Dury, a total genius and his band were mad proficient in musicianship ( he probably had the best band musically wise just had the lot ) and as beautiful collective. Very underrated band, as mentioned IAN Had polio and passed away of cancer - new boots and Panties is a masterpiece of an album ( my favourite ) … wake up and make love with me, my old man, clever Trevor, PP Not exactly RU-vid friendly ( loads of swearing 🤬 ) … and the last track off the album the immortal- Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll
remember hearing this for the first time with my dad in the car. It had a profound effect on my dad he was a changed man from that moment on. He changed his hairstyle clothing and taste in music. dad later on to meet up with Ian on many occasions enjoying his poetry round the pubs. Many happy memories.
Big shout for What A Waste, on which you'll hear him singing - not always quite in tune, but it doesn't matter, as it's such a characterful voice. Brilliant song too.
I saw him live for my 14th birthday. When they finished & left the stage, the crowd was cheering for an encore, lights were still down so we were expecting another song. But Ian Dury came back out, sat on the end of the stage, dangling legs & signalled for the lights to be turned on - picked up his mic, and told the whole venue to f*ck off home lol.. I met him backstage also & he was a filthy old man (no surprise haha) .. RIP
"Two fat persons click click click" comes from the English gambling game bingo, which is held in a large hall. All 90 numbers are on bingo balls and the announcer has a microphone when a ball comes up. Each number has a nickname, sometimes visual representations. For example 'two little ducks, 22'. In this case he uses 'clickety click, 66' and 'two fat ladies, 88' and makes up his own reference (without the number!)
Always loved Ian Dury and bought all his albums including his last 'Mr Love Pants' which came out after they had split and reunited. My favourite track from this which always makes me giggle, is 'Geraldine' with Ian's usual suggestive lyrics. His style has been described as something between vaudeville and rock'n'roll. Dury has a truly lyrical poeticism, that showcases his gritty sense of humour. I was lucky enough to see him at the Shepherd's Bush Empire just before he died aged 53 and surprised myself by remembering all the words to the songs. His drummer Charley was paralysed from the waist down and died 10 years before Ian did. RIP Ian and Charley ❤
I have listened to this since I was 8 when it was released and my dad blasted it on his stereo system and in the car, love it, still get goosebumps today listening to it. Brilliant! Love seeing your reaction, especially the opening bass line got you….
There was a biography movie made about the life of lead singer Ian Dury in 2010 called 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll' starring Gollum actor, Andy Serkis as Ian Dury. It is a fantastic movie and well recommended to watch.
All these years later still know every word, beat and bump ... 12 years old blasting the 7 inch vinyl out of my small back bedroom and drowning out my older sister's ABBA 👍
i was 5 with this came out and recall hearing this and immediately understanding that this was not the usual music that was out there. this was something special. Lennon pretended to be a working class hero. Drury was himself and didn’t need to pretend about anything.
Javaughn I have been waiting ages for you to react to this song. Best way to listen to this is while driving with the volume up all the way!! All the best 80s parties had this on the playlist.
The Sex Pistols,Madness,The Clash every great band around the mid/late 70's would go and see Ian Dury long before he became popular he influenced many of them. I was lucky enough to see Ian and the band live and when he enters the stage you know it!
I’m intrigued by Madness in that list lol .. they were fun, but a long time after Sid killed Nancy and (IMO) were never, ever great .. but we shall probably just need to agree to disagree 🙃
This is and has always been my favourite record since the first time I heard it in the 70s . I’ve seen Ian Dury and the blockheads many times and never been let down . Rest in peace Ian and thank you for the music !
A product of British genre Pub Rock which eventually merged /morphed into Punk Rock, in around 1975, that pre-punk period was probably my favourite of all time, Kokomo, Alberto y los trios paranoios, Spitz Oil, Kilburn and the High Roads ( Ian Drury), Ducks Delux, Bebop Deluxe, Dr Feelgood, Kursaal Flyers. A superb time.
So many stories connected to the blockheads. But as kid seeing them on TISWAS on a Saturday morning playing “What a waste” with the video of Ian with his dice earrings was a life changer. Davey Payne’s brother lived up the road from us. Sometimes when he visited he’d be on “Dury Duty” ie. the member of the band in charge of looking after Ian, you knew when was, as there would be a huge American car that was so wide it would barely fit along an English housing estate road 🤣🤣
It was fantastic watching this guy listening to Ian for the first time was brilliant. Made my day this is what music does connects us universally. How can anyone deny the genius of the blockheads,
Just for you all's interest "two fat ladies (not persons) clik clik clik" is a British Bingo call meaning "88." Two fat ladies because 88 looks a bit like two fat ladies standing next to each other. What do you think "two little ducks" means? Well done! You're absolutely correct, it means "22" Drury comes from East London.
@@kevanwillis4571 PC = 49. Refers to the BBC Radio series "The Adventures of PC 49". The usual response is "Evening all." The English working class are true poets and leaders in the Theatre of the Absurd, especially the London working class. Cockney rhyming slang is pure genius. "I went down the frog to the old rub-a-dub and got a bit Brahms and let out a raspberry me old China started to Darby and Joan I said leave it out chum shut yer north n south know what I mean. I'm too pissed to drive the old jam jar I'll have to get a minicab. Me dog's are barking too, can I use your dog n bone? Either way I'll be in Barney with the trouble n strife. 'Use your loaf mate' me mate said. 'A dickey in your shell-like. Come round my gaff and have a coupla cups of Rosie and sober up.' 'I can't Adam and Eve it' sez I. 'You're a genius. If I have anutha barney with her indoors I'll be fucking brown bread!'
