What Are You Listening To?

[CRAZY-HORSE]

THE HOUSEMARTINS  "the people who grinned themselves to death" cd, 1987.

UK indi-pop band
second album of two.
I own both.
songs have a light jingle-jangle happy feel to them but the lyrics can be quite sarcastic.
lots of social conscience messages also.
some controversy with some of the lyrics in the UK surrounding their criticism of the 
Royal Family.
the band only ever intended to release two albums and split regardless of how successful 
they were. one of the band members, Norman Cook, ended up changing his stage name to
Fat Boy Slim, the others formed a band called Beautiful South.
I LOVE THIS ALBUM

the singles:

Five Get Over Excited  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGYofWnTueQ  video

Me And The Farmer   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLOyF50wlBU   video

Build   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMPMiLddsuE   video

favourite:





lyrics:

They smiled so much and waved their flags
As she saluted to the military band
Most of the people failed to see
She had a broken bottle in the other hand
And she took them by surprise
When she took them by the throat
And said "My friend you're not allowed to vote"
But they shook it all off
With a nervous laugh and cough
"Next time," she said "I'll let those people choke"

The people who grinned themselves to death
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
And even when their kids were starving
They all thought the queen was charming

She polished all upon the wall
And ran her hands right through her hair
So if the lady took the time to call
All the houses on the street would not compare
And she thought it really funny
That she hadn't any money
But those she looked up to, they had
But they shook it all off
With a nervous laugh and cough
And when they took her riches it was sad

The people who grinned themselves to death
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
And even when their kids were starving
They all thought the queen was charming