The Housemartins
Now That's What I Call Quite Good

01   I Smell Winter (03:23)

Now the sun was in my eyes
So forgive me if I was blind
But I can suddenly see the light now the blinds are raised
Now he's finally spoken
Winter's finally broken
I realise I'm heading for colder days

He can feel it just around the corner
He can feel it on every breath
And something tells him it's good goodbye summer
And something tells him it's the kiss of death

Losing at the tracks
Loosens all his taps
I smell winter on his breath
(I smell winter)
There's a chill down my spine
But the weather's fine
I smell winter on his breath
(I smell winter)

You better button up your coat
Or it'll catch you in the pit of the throat
You can certainly feel the wind blow when you're by yourself
And when the snow has finally melted
You better think about who you shelter
'Cause one of these days it might just be someone else

And he's searched underground and overground for a partner
Played his harmonica 'til his lips were raw
He's looked through tins and rubbish bins just for an answer
So far each year he's drawn the shortest straw

Losing at the tracks
Loosens all his taps
I smell winter on his breath
(I smell winter)
There's a chill down my spine
But the weather's fine
I smell winter on his breath
(I smell winter)

I smell winter
I smell winter
I smell winter
I (smell winter)

And he's searched underground and overground for a partner
Played his harmonica 'til his lips were raw
He's looked through tins and rubbish bins just for an answer
So far each year he's drawn the shortest straw

Losing at the tracks
Loosens all his taps
I smell winter on his breath
(I smell winter)
Theres a chill down my spine
But the weather's fine
I smell winter on his breath
(I smell winter)

I smell winter
(I smell winter)
I smell winter
(I smell winter)

02   Bow Down (03:01)

Mother, Father, I think that I would rather
Stay at home with you for another year
That building's so tall and it makes me feel so small
That I might get lost and simply disappear
Evil smiles won't change my mind
I'm worried and I'm not the worrying kind
Why's that man rubbing his hands
Looking at me writing down his plans?

Today I have been moulding plasticine
and I made a little man who looked just like me
His limbs were so weak and he couldn't move his mouth to speak
And I could bend him into any shape I wanted him to be

Evil smiles won't change my mind
I'm worried and I'm not the worrying kind
Why's that man rubbing his hands
Looking at me writing down his plans?

Those kids with the blazers on
They went in with names on their elbows
Came home with medals on
Spit it out that's the way the story goes

A flying start for the briefcase crew

Oh, you didn't have to teach me like you did
But you did
And you didn't have to beat me like you did
But you did
But you did
You did
You did

03   Think for a Minute (03:29)

Something's going on, a change is taking place
Children smiling in the street have gone without a trace
This street used to be full, it used to make me smile
And now it seems that everyone is walking single file

And many hang their heads in shame
That used to hold them high
And those that used to say hello
Simply pass you by

Think for a minute, Stop for a minute
Think for a minute, Stop for a minute

I always said it could, they never though it would
The people look so pitiful, I'm thinking that it should
And now it's almost here, now its on its way
I can't help saying told you so and have a nice final day

And nothing I could say
Could ever make them see the light
Now apathy is happy that
It won without a fight

Think for a minute, Stop for a minute
Think for a minute, Stop for a minute

And many hang their heads in shame that used to hold them high
{Think for a minute}
And those that used to say hello simply pass you by
{Stop for a minute}

Think for a minute, Stop for a minute
Think for a minute, Stop for a minute

04   There Is Always Something There to Remind Me (03:30)

05   The Mighty Ship (01:50)

[ INSTRUMENTAL ]

06   Sheep (02:16)

Sometimes I get so angry with the simple life they lead
The shepherds smile seems to confirm my fears
They've never questioned anything, they've never disagreed
Sometimes I think they must have wool in their ears

And when you see a can I see a crook
And when you see a crowd I see a flock
It's sheep we're up against
Sheep we're up against

When I was young they used to get me counting sheep
But the counting I did was all in vain
Now when I'm tired and I'm trying to get to sleep
I count humans jumping onto trains

And when you see a can I see a crook
And when you see a crowd I see a flock
It's sheep we're up against
Sheep we're up against

[Influential Guitar Break]

And when you see a can I see a crook
And when you see a crowd I see a flock
It's sheep we're up against
Sheep we're up against

07   I'll Be Your Shelter (Just Like a Shelter) (04:46)

In times when you're troubled
Seems more than you can affoard
And you feel, you feel you need a friend
Someone to share the load

And when your skies grow cloudy
I want you to know got a friend that's true
Just like a shelter, in a time of storm
I'll see you through, that's what I'll do

When your dreams are scattered
Just like the wind blown sand
And you feel, you feel you need a friend
I'll be there, reach out your hand

And when the tempest is raging
I want you to know got a friend that's true
Just like a shelter, in a time of storm
I'll see you through, that's what I'll do

I'll see you through your bad times
I'll see you through your fears
I'll see you through your hang ups


Honey I'll dry all your tears

And when the tempest is raging
I want you to know got a friend that's true
Just like a shelter, in a time of storm
I'll see you through, that's what I'll do

I will see you through, I will see you through
I will see you through, I will see you through

When my load got heavy, did you see me through
When my load got to hard to bear, did you see me through
What would you do, what would you do
What would you do, what would you do

If you're living on the dole and there's no sugar in your bowl
All you need to do is give a little knock
Don't despair he'll be there with his loving and his care
Marx will work for us right around the clock

He's alright, he's alright
He's alright, he's alright

08   Five Get Over Excited (02:41)

Fun, fun, fun
Fun, fun, fun
Fun, fun, fun
Fun, fun, fun

James dean posters on their wall
{five killed in a car-crash}
What a sad little end to it all
{five killed in a car-crash}
Last seen having lots of fun
{five dumped in a river}
Barefoot and on the run
{five dumped in a river}

I am mad from Scandinavia
I want a guy in the London area
He must be crazy and Sagitarius
Cause I am Leo and I'm hilarious

Which gives me
Fun, fun, fun (jeremy)
Fun, fun, fun (fifi)
Fun, fun, fun (jeremy)
Fun, fun, fun

Last seen drinking daddy's own beer
{five poisoned over dinner}
Singing abbas mamma mia
{five poisoned over dinner}
Drop dead watching thunderbirds fly
{five get over excited}
Poster on their wall says why?
{five get over excited}

I am guy from Camden Town
My hair is curly but I gel it down
My clothes are black but my bread is brown
I'm really into early Motown

Which gives me
Fun, fun, fun (jeremy)
Fun, fun, fun (fifi)
Fun, fun, fun (jeremy)
Fun, fun, fun

Feigning concern, a conservative pastime
Makes you feel doubtful right from the start
The expression she pulls is exactly like last time
Got to conclude she just hasn't a heart

Fun, fun, fun (jeremy)
Fun, fun, fun (fifi)
Fun, fun, fun (jeremy)
Fun, fun, fun

09   Everyday's the Same (02:56)

10   Build (04:48)

Clambering men in big bad boots
Dug up my den, dug up my roots
Treated us like plasticine town
They built us up and knocked us down
From meccano to legoland
Here they come with a brick in their hand
Men with heads filled up with sand
Its build

Its build a house where we can stay
Add a new bit everyday
Its build a road for us to cross
Build us lots and lots and lots and lots and lots

Whistling men in yellow vans
They can and drew us diagrams
Showed us how it all worked it out
And wrote it down in case of doubt

Slow, slow, quick, quick, quick
Its wall to wall and brick to brick
They work so fast it makes you sick
Its build

Its build a house where we can stay
Add a new bit everyday
Its build a road for us to cross
Build us lots and lots and lots and lots and lots

Its build

Down with sticks and up with bricks
In with boots and up with roots
Its in with suits and new recruits
Its build...

11   Step Outside (04:13)

Well the wall's too wet to sit on
And there's a curtain right over my head
Stamp my feet waiting for a bus
But decide to walk instead

And the American saxophoner follows me
All the way from the telly to the public house
My fingers are always in my ears
But the reed's always in their mouth

And if you've ever crossed your heart and hoped to die
The voices in your head saying you must cry
Then there's more to you than meets the eye
But if you go about your business with capital B
They're sure to cut you up with a capital C
And then you will be dead with a capital T

Just step outside

Well we could stop for a conversasion
If we could think of anything to say
But you know you've got nothing to talk about
When nothing happened yesterday

And if I ever commited a murder
I think I'd go about it this way
Never mind a rope or a dagger and a cloak
I could spend a week on this estate

And if you've ever crossed your heart and hoped to die
Voices in your head saying you must cry
Then there's more to you than meets the eye
But if you go about your business with capital B
They're sure to cut you up with a capital C
And then you will be dead with a capital A

Just step outside

What are you doing tomorrow
And the day after and the day after that
I've some money I can borrow?
I've become the person I've admired

But if you've ever crossed your heart and hoped to die
Voices in your head saying you must cry
Then there's more to you than meets the eye
But if you go about your business with capital B
They're sure to cut you up with a capital C
And then you will be dead with a capital B

And just step outside

12   Flag Day (03:32)

Too many Florence Nightingales
Not enough Robin Hoods
Too many halos not enough heroes
Coming up with the goods

So you though you'd like to change the world
Decided to stage a jumble sale
For the poor, for the poor

It's a waste of time if you know what they mean
Try shaking a box in front of the Queen
'Cause her purse is fat and bursting at the seams
It's a waste of time if you know what they mean

Too many hands in too many pockets
Not enough hands on hearts
Too many ready to call it a day
Before the day starts

So you thought you'd like to see them healed
Got Blue Peter to stage an appeal
For the poor, for the poor

It's a waste of time if you know what they mean
Try shaking a box in front of the Queen
'Cause her purse is fat and bursting at the seams
It's a waste of time if you know what they mean



Flag Day, Flag Day, Flag Day

13   Happy Hour (02:22)

It's happy hour again
I think I might be happy if I wasn't out with them
And they're happy it's a lovely place to be
Happy that the fire is real the barman is a she
Where the haircuts smile
And the meaning of style
Is a night out with the boss
Where you win or you lose
And its them who choose
And if you don't win then you've lost

What a good place to be
Don't believe it
'Cause they speak a different language
And it's never really happened to me
{It's happy hour again}
Don't believe it
'Cause they speak a different language
And it's never really happened to me
{It's happy hour again}

It's another night out with the boss
Following in footsteps overgrown with moss
And they tell me that women grow on trees
And if you catch them right they will land upon their knees

Where they open all their wallets
And they close all their minds
And they love to buy you all a drink
And then we ask all the questions
And you take all your clothes off
And go back to the kitchen sink

14   You've Got a Friend (03:30)

When you're down and troubled
And you need somebody in care
And nothing, nothing's going right

Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night.

You just call on my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall
All you gotta do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend.

If the sky above you
should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow

Keep your head together
And call my name out loud now
Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door

You just call on my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall
All you gotta do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend.

You've got a friend.
Yes, you've got a friend, yes.
uuuuuuuh-uh-uh
Don't you know you've got a friend?
uuuuuuuh-uh-uh
Ain't you heard you've got a friend?
uuuuuuuh-uh-uh
Don't you know about your friend, your friend?
uh-uh
uh-uh

15   He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (02:47)

The road is long

With many winding turns,
That leads us to
Who knows where
Who knows where


But I'm strong
Strong enough to care
Ah, He ain't heavy

Cause, he's my brother

So on we go

His welfare is my concern
No burden is he,
To where, we'll get there


But I know
He will not uncomfort me
Ah, He ain't heavy

Cause, he's my brother

The road is long

With many winding turns
That leads us to,
Who knows where
Who knows where


But I'm strong,
Strong enough to care
Ah, he ain't heavy

Cause, he's my brother

When the going gets rough,
I've got a brother
When the going gets tough,
I've got a friend
Ah, you must call me
Yeah, yeah
All you must call me
He, he's my brother
He's my brother

16   Freedom (03:27)

I used to think you understood
Taught me right and learnt me good
Made things simple for my brain
Told the truth and made it plain

But the implications I mistook
Until I found out whose side you took
And now with paper in my hand I'm beginning to understand

So this is freedom - {They must be joking}
They must be joking - {If they think its true}
So this is freedom - [I doubt their truth}
So this is freedom - {For me and you}

From the front page news to the interviews
It's sink the reds and lift the blues
They pretend they're differing points of view
But it's only different shades of blue

But the implications I mistook
Until I found out whose side you took
And now with paper in my hand I'm beginning to understand

So this is freedom - {They must be joking}
They must be joking - {If they think its true}
So this is freedom - [I doubt their truth}
So this is freedom - {For me and you}

[Guitar Solo]

So this is freedom - {They must be joking}
They must be joking - {If they think its true}
So this is freedom - [I doubt their truth}
So this is freedom - {For me and you}

F.R.E.E.D.O.M.
They locked us up once
So they'll do it again

C.H.A.I.N.E.D.
They locked up my friends
Now they're coming for me

17   The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death (03:30)

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

18   Caravan of Love (03:39)

Are you ready
Are you ready
Are you ready
Are you ready
Are you ready for the time of your life
Its time to stand up and fight
So alright
So alright
And then I will take a caravan to the marble land
One by one we gonna stand up with pride
One that can't be denied
Stand up
Stand up
From the highest mountain valley low
We all shall together with hearts of gold
Now the children of the world can see
There's a better place for us to be
The place in which we were born
So neglected and torn apart

Every woman every man
Join the caravan of love
(stand up) stand up
Stand up
Every body take a stand
Join the caravan of love
(stand up) stand up
Stand up

I'm your brother
I'm your brother don't you know
She's my sister
She's my sister don't you know

Well be living in the world of peace
And the day when everyone is free
Bring the young and the old
Want you let chilled flow from your heart

Every woman every man
Join the caravan of love
(stand up) stand up
Stand up
Every body take a stand
Join the caravan of love
(stand up) stand up
Stand up

I'm your brother
I'm your brother don't you know
She's my sister
She's my sister don't you know

So are you ready ( he's coming )
Are you ready ( he's coming )
Are you ready ( he's coming )
Are you ready ( he's coming on the caravan )
You better get ready ( go for it )
You better get ready ( go for it )
You better get ready ( go for it )
You better get ready

19   The Light Is Always Green (03:58)

We dig our models with the brains the size of models
And cars that we can trust with out wives
And we dig converstations with girls from every nation
But not the ones that whisper or tell lies

Wherever theres a will theres a motorway
Wherever there is greed there is speed
And theyve always got to be there for yesterday
Welcome to the new scalextrics breed

And the light they always show to them
Is green, green, green
And the heels they always show to me
Are clean, clean, clean

Were only flying past so we dig our sevice fast
From the waiters to the women to the wine
Never mind the match, Ive an urgent date to catch
Get me to the concert hall on time

Pretending to be pilots in a war
Pretending to weave between the flak
No-one knows what the missions for
Blinkered horses on the track

And the light they always show to them
Is green, green, green
And the heels they always show to me
Are clean, clean, clean

20   We're Not Deep (02:15)

You can put it down to lack of patience
You can put it down to lack of sleep
But it's in my head to stay in bed
Tucked under the sheets

They said if you try to get on I'd get on
They said there were chances
But now my chance has gone

And I know what you think
What you think about me
Thoughts like that sink home
To you we're not deep

Now it may be a sad reflection
On the way young people feel
But early Monday morning
Is losing its appeal

I open my curtains at 7am
Just so you think I'm up with the rest of the men

And I know what you think
What you think about me
Thoughts like that sink home
To you we're not deep

You'd do yourself a favour if you gave yourself a break
But that's one risk you'd never take
The evenings yours, the mornings mine
But don't knock me, I'm doing fine
You'd do yourself a favour if you gave yourself a rest
But just for now you know what's best

And I know what you think
What you think about me
Thoughts like that sink home
To you we're not deep

21   Me and the Farmer (02:54)

Me and the farmer
Get on fine
Through stormy weather and bottles of wine
If I pull my weight
He'll treat me well
But if I'm late he'll give me hell

And thought it's all hard work no play
Farmer is a happy crook
But Jesus hates him everyday
'Cause Jesus gave and farmer took, took

(Chorus:)
{Won't he let you go?} Probably no
{Won't he let you go?} Probably no
{Why does he treat you so?} I just don't know
{Why does he treat you so?} I just don't know
Me and the farmer like brother, like sister
Getting on like hand and blister
Me... and... the farmer (roh roh)

He's chopped down sheep, planted trees
And helped the countryside to breathe
Ripped up fields, bullied flocks
And worked his workers right around the clock

It may seem strange but he'd admit
Intentions aren't exactly true
and through God loves his wife a bit
He hates the farmer through and through

(Chorus)

All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All we've got is London Zoo
'Cause farmer owns them all, all...

(Chorus)

Me... and... the farmer
Me... and... the farmer

22   Lean on Me (04:27)

Heavy burden on your shoulder
Lean on me
Heavy burden on your shoulder
Lean on me
Heavy burden on your shoulder
Everyday just a little bit harder
Heavy burden on your shoulder
Lean on me
Down and out without hope
Lean on me
Down and out without hope
Lean on me
Down and out without hope
I'm right here, I'll help you cope
Down and out without hope
Lean on me

Grab a rope and pull me in
But lean on me
Everyday, you'll have a friend
But lean on me

Grab a rope, pull me in
Everyday you'll have a friend
Grab a rope

And the world's blocked away
And if you're looking for a rainy day friend
Well grab a rope, pull me in
Lean on me


Heavy burden cloudy skies
Lean on me
I'll be the towel for weeping eyes
But lean on me

If it always feels like rain
All you've got in life is pain
Heavy burden, go away oh... , goodbye
Heavy burden, on you shoulder
Lean on me

23   Drop Down Dead (03:01)

24   Hopelessly Devoted to Them (02:10)