We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs that helping hand
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
He has this future in a British steel
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed, yeah
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak
And he loves to be spoken to (in his work)
Nigel is happy in his work (in his work)
Nigel is happy in his work (in his world)
We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand
We're only making plans for Nigel
He has the future in a British steel
Steel, steel, steel, steel, steel, yeah yeah
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs that helping hand
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
He has this future in a British steel
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed, yeah
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak
And he loves to be spoken to (in his work)
Nigel is happy in his work (in his work)
Nigel is happy in his work (in his world)
We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand
We're only making plans for Nigel
He has the future in a British steel
Steel, steel, steel, steel, steel, yeah yeah
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry
Making Plans for Nigel Lyrics as written by Colin Ivor Moulding
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Primus does a great cover of this song, by the way...I suggest you listen to it!
But the stance of the song seem to suggest that Nigel hasn't got it all figured out. Mybe hs is missing out on something better.
Its a great song and i can't believe only one other person has commented on it. Definately check it out if you haven't heard it.
to me when xtc sung 'we are making plans for nigel' they were taking on the persona of the patriachal politcal party of the time - the party that formed the company that was 'british steel'.
so in that light they are singing about a politcal party creating jobs for workers (Nigels)
However they (the pollies) are 'ONLY' making plans for Nigel. which kind of indicates that everyone else is neglected.... musicians!? or anyone creative i guess.
the kooky, crazy sort of tune and singing kind of crreates a sense of madness and stupidity. I think this is an indicator to the bands attitude to the way the government was trying to plan thier lives for them, esp. when the best they could come up with was working in a steel plant!
So it is kind of about nationalism, control vs. freedom,
life and how depressing work is etc.
The song is ironic, in that British Steel ultimately laid thousands of employees off because the Conservatives (the British version of the U.S. Republican Party) got it all horribly wrong. There was much unemployment (the source of the Sex Pistols angst towards Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth) and getting a job in the mining, steel, or automotive industry was supposed to be the panacea. Of course, those industries are all but dead now in Britain.
clearly about parents expecting their son to be a good boy : "Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed"... such an horrible line in such a healing song !
if you don't know it, go and listen to another fantastic XTC song, "No Thugs In Our House" (on "English Settlement", one of their masterpieces): in a way, it's the sequel for that song, in the continuing story of that british teen symbolized by Nigel... and if you want to know what his dreams look like, just go back to "Across The Universe" by the Boys Of Hamburg !
labor and conservatives in UK politics of the time, the politicians make their plans and policies for the people that are working in the factories, they need to be happy in their work, without speaking out too much or complaining too much, but society needs to be happy for the politicians to get re-elected
Now, when i listen to it, i feel that maybe something is wrong with Nigel. Maybe he has downs syndrome or is challenged in some way. The lyric that is he says he must be happy, then he must be happy makes me think that Nigel is not all that aware of the world around him. But then again, what do i know.