Evidently Chickentown by John Cooper Clarke
Release Date : 1980
Album : Snap, Crackle & Bop
We should probably let the lyrics for this song speak for themselves....
the bloody cops are bloody keen
to bloody keep it bloody clean
the bloody chief's a bloody swine
who bloody draws a bloody line
at bloody fun and bloody games
the bloody kids he bloody blames
are nowehere to be bloody found
anywhere in chicken town
the bloody scene is bloody sad
the bloody news is bloody bad
the bloody weed is bloody turf
the bloody speed is bloody surf
the bloody folks are bloody daft
don't make me bloody laugh
it bloody hurts to look around
everywhere in chicken town
the bloody train is bloody late
you bloody wait you bloody wait
you're bloody lost and bloody found
stuck in fucking chicken town
the bloody view is bloody vile
for bloody miles and bloody miles
the bloody babies bloody cry
the bloody flowers bloody die
the bloody food is bloody muck
the bloody drains are bloody fucked
the colour scheme is bloody brown
everywhere in chicken town
the bloody pubs are bloody dull
the bloody clubs are bloody full
of bloody girls and bloody guys
with bloody murder in their eyes
a bloody bloke is bloody stabbed
waiting for a bloody cab
you bloody stay at bloody home
the bloody neighbors bloody moan
keep the bloody racket down
this is bloody chicken town
the bloody pies are bloody old
the bloody chips are bloody cold
the bloody beer is bloody flat
the bloody flats have bloody rats
the bloody clocks are bloody wrong
the bloody days are bloody long
it bloody gets you bloody down
evidently chicken town
the bloody train is bloody late
you bloody wait you bloody wait
you're bloody lost and bloody found
stuck in fucking chicken town
Lyrics taken from http://www.stlyrics.com
While not neccesarily considered music, the art of performance poet John Cooper Clarke has made for some interesting experiences over the years. This song, one of his most recognizable, is full of wild and vivid imagery. The music, although mainly a loop pattern, starts off with the zest of an irish-jig from hell and continues on in a very dark fashion. Clarke weaves a sordid tale of his view of an extremely messed up town, or perhaps a "bloody" messed up town as per the lyrics. The music is played by his backing band, "The Invisible Girls", featuring Martin Hannett (Joy Division's producer).
John Cooper Clarke, known as the "Bard of Salford" gained prominence in the UK punk scene of the late 1970's and regularly performed with such acts as The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks, Elvis Costello and The Fall. He also appeared in the film "Urgh! A Music War", one of the more influential post-punk films ever made. His knack for brilliant lyrical verses in his poetry has lead to him developing a large cult following while staying significantly out of the mainstream spotlight. His work has inspired several current bands, most notably The Arctic Monkeys and specifically their frontman Alex Turner.
The following is a quote from an interview conducted by The Daily Record
"There was this skinny guy with mad hair and drainpipe jeans. He was the support act and his name was John Cooper Clarke," Alex recalled. "I had heard his poem, I Wanna Be Yours, before because an English teacher at school had read it to our class. But after I saw him live, I really got into him.
I just love the way he articulates - the little words he uses and the way he delivers them. I really got into him. He was a big influence."
The remainder of this excellent interview can be read here....
Clarke continues to perform to this day and "Evidently Chickentown" almost always finds a way into his sets. This song has found it's way into pop culture a few times, most notably on The Sopranos and in the film "Control". A challenging piece to be sure but well worth the listen and attention that it so richly deserves.
Kevin Fever
For Further Reading on John Cooper Clarke check the following....
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