Build

I've always felt this song was highlighting the percieved 'evils' of urban redevelopment, the lines: 'Dug up my den, dug up my roots, Treated us like plasticine town' could be a comment on the urban redevelopments of 50's and 60s and the social cost of tearing up communities to build new flats and houses.

Of course it isn't pointless. The point of the song, along with a lot of the Housemartins stuff, is that the everyday, hardworking guy who puts his neck on the line day in day out, is never able to do enough to get so much as a bit of appreciation from the suits who tell them what to do. That ino matter how hard poeple work, people always want more. The Housemartins were a very 'anti-establishment' type band. Just look at the lyrics to this song, The People who Grinned Themselves to Death, Sheep and Happy Hour to name but four.

Quite right Joynsey. The bands own website describes this as a'subtle diatribe on the ill conceived regeneration of Britain's urban wasteland of the 1960's' Great song.

It means Britain's regeneration of urban "wasteland" of the 1960's, the wasteland in reality was back to back houses where generations had grown up and lived, they knew everyone in the street and everyone worked locally, they where knocked down to be replaced by cheap temp housing which are council estates now, run down and left with under investment. Once the orginal site of the back to backs new professional flats where built and sold for massive profits, none of which was seen by the people who used to live there.

I would agree the song is about post war urban regeneration, Seacroft, Bransholme, Wythenshawe the likes, however I disagree with the sentiments. Most people at the time were thrilled to leave the back to back slums and move into modern houses with hot water, gardens, central heating etc. People just romanticise about the old back to backs, of which we still have about eight million in Leeds and are far worse then most council houses.

^ strange that the traditional terraced houses have stood the test of time whilst the new-builds of the 60's have all but vanished or been condemned.

I'd rather live in a street of terraced houses in a community than a 60's skyscraper.

Just one of many poignant songs that'll stand the test of time (unlike the 60's newbuilds) - from the 4th best band in Hull ;)

A completely pointless song beautifully executed. Fantastic stuff! :)