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Hitsville U.K. Lyrics
They cried the tears, they shed the fears
Up and down the land
They stole guitars or used guitars
So the tape would understand
Without even the slightest hope of a 1000 sales
Just as if, as if there was, a Hitsville in U.K.
I know the boy was all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
Remember...
They say true talent will allways emerge in time
When lightening hits small wonder
Its fast rough factory trade
No expense accounts, or lunch discounts
Or hypeing up the charts
The band went in, 'n knocked 'em dead, in 2 minutes 59
I know the boy was all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
No slimy deals, with smarmy eels - in Hitsville U.K.
Lets shake 'n say, we'll operate - in Hitsville U.K.
I know the girl felt all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
The mutants, creeps and musclemen
Are shaking like a leaf
It blows a hole in the radio
When it hasn't sounded good all week
A mike 'n boom, in your living room - in Hitsville U.K.
No consumer trials, or A.O.R. - in Hitsville U.K.
I know the boy felt all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
Now the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
I know the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
I know the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
I know the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
Up and down the land
They stole guitars or used guitars
So the tape would understand
Without even the slightest hope of a 1000 sales
Just as if, as if there was, a Hitsville in U.K.
I know the boy was all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
They say true talent will allways emerge in time
When lightening hits small wonder
Its fast rough factory trade
No expense accounts, or lunch discounts
Or hypeing up the charts
The band went in, 'n knocked 'em dead, in 2 minutes 59
I know the boy was all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
Lets shake 'n say, we'll operate - in Hitsville U.K.
I know the girl felt all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
Are shaking like a leaf
It blows a hole in the radio
When it hasn't sounded good all week
A mike 'n boom, in your living room - in Hitsville U.K.
No consumer trials, or A.O.R. - in Hitsville U.K.
I know the boy felt all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
I know the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
I know the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
I know the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
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This song is about the beginning of independent record labels.
Small Wonder was an indie record label that brought us The Cure.
Rough Trade was another label that helped make The Smiths famous.
Factory brought us Joy Division/New Order and the Happy Mondays.
It's amazing what Google and 5 minutes of research will do.
The one other label mentioned that you didn't is Fast Product, which was the small Sheffield label which The Mekons and The Human League began on.
The one other label mentioned that you didn't is Fast Product, which was the small Sheffield label which The Mekons and The Human League began on.
Aside from those four labels mentioned in the lyrics (When lightening hits small wonder/Its fast, rough factory trade) the single's cover also references various other small labels like Postcard (perhaps the best known indie label at the time not mentioned in the lyrics), Fetish, Object Music and Tent.
Aside from those four labels mentioned in the lyrics (When lightening hits small wonder/Its fast, rough factory trade) the single's cover also references various other small labels like Postcard (perhaps the best known indie label at the time not mentioned in the lyrics), Fetish, Object Music and Tent.
The girl is Ellen Foley who was Mick Jones' girl friend at the time.
Actually this is my favorite Clash song. Its classic Clash. Unbelievable lyrics that are totally contradictory to the tune.
Yeah not one of my personal favorites of the Clash (which by the way is my favorite band). It's a shame to, I saw a lot of potential in the song. Sort of like how they destroyed the amazing "Career Opportunities" from the self titled debut, when they had the children's choir verson of it on Sandanista. But oh well.
are you really dissing children singing career opportunities?? whatever man !
are you really dissing children singing career opportunities?? whatever man !
I think the kid version of Career Opportunities is more about the symbolism than the musical value of it, myself. It, along with the girl that sings Guns of Brixton in Broadway, depict the fact that these things the Clash hated so much (meaningless jobs that won't take you anyplace and the constant threat of police violence, respectively) that they sang about in those songs had become the new normal under Thatcher, and were the only things that the children of the world had to look forward to. But yeah I like the original versions of those songs way better...
I think the kid version of Career Opportunities is more about the symbolism than the musical value of it, myself. It, along with the girl that sings Guns of Brixton in Broadway, depict the fact that these things the Clash hated so much (meaningless jobs that won't take you anyplace and the constant threat of police violence, respectively) that they sang about in those songs had become the new normal under Thatcher, and were the only things that the children of the world had to look forward to. But yeah I like the original versions of those songs way better anyhow.
I like this song a lot. It is classic Clash IMO, as benjyedwards said. It grows on you the more you hear Sandinista, and not like a fungus.
I love this song, it's both about and an example of the sheer joy and power of music
And Subpop has done to every alternative musician ever
Does this song take its melody from another? Sounds very familiar...
What does Subpop have to do with this song?
MHH62, the bassline and funky guitar riff sound very similar to some hit song by the Supremes... 2 years later, The Jam would have a hit (of course...) with a very close song, "A Town Called Malice". Anyway, it's an homage to 60's Motown sound (which studios in Detroit were dubbed "Hitsville, USA". Those who say they don't like this song should really listen to these delightful sounds ! About the lyrics, I think it's a tribute to the abounding music activity of late 70's UK (with this music label name-dropping), and a tribute to the do-it-yourself spirit : "They stole guitars or used guitars