As ever with Moz there's ambiguity with the lyrics.
Dagenham Dave us a naval term meaning someone who's mentally unstable "one stop short of Barking". Hence the line about self-combustion...perhaps he can lose his rag quickly? But this could also be about something and bit more sexual, as he wants to touch but might self-combust.
Of course Dagenham, with its Ford factory and the name Dave gives the idea of a solidly working class geezer with an eye for the ladies
As ever with Moz there's ambiguity with the lyrics. Dagenham Dave us a naval term meaning someone who's mentally unstable "one stop short of Barking". Hence the line about self-combustion...perhaps he can lose his rag quickly? But this could also be about something and bit more sexual, as he wants to touch but might self-combust. Of course Dagenham, with its Ford factory and the name Dave gives the idea of a solidly working class geezer with an eye for the ladies