6 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Embarrassment Lyrics
Received a letter just the other day
don't seem they wanna know you no more
they've laid it down given you their score
within the first two lines it bluntly read
You're not to come see us no more
keep away from our door
don't come around here no more
what on earth did you do that for?
Our aunt she don't wanna know she says
what will the neighbours think they'll think
we don't that's what they'll think we don't
but i will 'cos i know they i don't
Our uncle he don't wanna know
he says we are a disgrace
to the human race
he says how can you show your face
when you're a disgrace to the human race
they've made a commitment
you're an embarrassment
yes an embarrassment
a living endorsement
the intention that you have booked
was an intention that was overlooked
They say stay away
don't want you home today
keep away from our door
don't come around here no more
Our dad he don't wanna know he says
this is serious matter
too late to reconsider
no one's gonna wanna know ya
Our mum she don't wanna know she says
i'm feeling twice as old she says
thought she had her head on her shoulders
'cos i'm feeling twice as older
i'm feeling twice as older
You're an embarrassment
don't seem they wanna know you no more
they've laid it down given you their score
within the first two lines it bluntly read
keep away from our door
don't come around here no more
what on earth did you do that for?
what will the neighbours think they'll think
we don't that's what they'll think we don't
but i will 'cos i know they i don't
he says we are a disgrace
to the human race
he says how can you show your face
when you're a disgrace to the human race
you're an embarrassment
yes an embarrassment
a living endorsement
the intention that you have booked
was an intention that was overlooked
don't want you home today
keep away from our door
don't come around here no more
this is serious matter
too late to reconsider
no one's gonna wanna know ya
i'm feeling twice as old she says
thought she had her head on her shoulders
'cos i'm feeling twice as older
i'm feeling twice as older
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
Yep, this is pretty much what Barson and Thompson always say. It was written abou the reactions of a girl (Thompson's Sister) having a baby of mixed race out of wedlock.
Exactly that in fact frontman Suggs recalled to The Daily Mirror September 18, 2009 "We were trying to do Motown with this one. Lee Thompson's sister had a baby with a black man and it caused consternation in his family. It's a great lyric - really sensational. You couldn't believe such sensitivity could come from such a rough diamond, but Lee is one of the best lyricists of his time. We were having trouble with people associating us with the NF, so it was nice to establish once and for all that we weren't."
Exactly that in fact frontman Suggs recalled to The Daily Mirror September 18, 2009 "We were trying to do Motown with this one. Lee Thompson's sister had a baby with a black man and it caused consternation in his family. It's a great lyric - really sensational. You couldn't believe such sensitivity could come from such a rough diamond, but Lee is one of the best lyricists of his time. We were having trouble with people associating us with the NF, so it was nice to establish once and for all that we weren't."
Paul Weller once said that this was his inspiration to write "A Town Called Malice", so as well as being an amazing song, it also inspired another one.
Lee Thompson wrote the song about his family's reactions when his sister became pregnant.
this track proves Madness were (and still are) talented musicians & songwriters with a depth of emotion, able to tackle dark social issues. God I was so lucky to grow up with them!!
For a beautiful and touching update on the story, check here:
https://youtu.be/xMQU5btgw78
The baby that caused all the bother is a grown up fine looking woman, and the family got over their prejudices to surround her with love.
It's honestly like a fairy tale!
This song is about a girl who slept with a lad from a different culture and had a mixed race baby. Her family seemed to desert her beacuse they thought it brough shame on them. Its a very meaningful song, especially as Madness knew the family (I think)