Page 9 | To think The Beautiful South...

RuudVanWrinkleBreath · 2024-11-28T13:38:42+00:00

were...bloody amazing!? AIBU to think this band might be the most underrated band in the UK...EVER!? I have just blasted out their greatest hits whilst wrapping presents and had a nostalgic sing-along. So many wonderfully written songs, great singers too. Criminally underrated in my opinion. AIBU?

RunAwayTurnAwayRunAwayTurnAway · 28/11/2024 16:36

All these comments for the LOVE and HATE I totally agree with both!

As a tween and teen I was excruciatingly embarrassed by my parents’ love for them. I found them so earnest and self-righteous.

As an adult I love how their lyrics deviate so
much from usual pop content. There was one about a Victorian child making and selling paper flowers and dying of the cold, a dying/dead alcoholic that really rounds out his character, a song from the POV of a table…

Their songs remind me of Simon Armitage’s poetry, in all of its sixth-formy political glory. I guess they are a bit of a guilty pleasure for me.

Piggywaspushed · 28/11/2024 16:35

One thing about them is you can always hear the lyrics. Maybe the objections are based on that kind of lyric led music? DH always says he doesn't care about lyrics (but likes lyricy bands!)

I love Deacon Blue too. I only recently learnt they were 'sipping on raki'. I thought it was 'slipping down rapids'. It being a ship and all.

Gilead · 28/11/2024 16:35

I adore Paul Heston, his lyrics are beautiful and so clever!

ChessorBuckaroo · 28/11/2024 16:34

EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 28/11/2024 15:22

I also love the twist at the end of little time. You don’t get these kind of songs anymore

I've known that song all these years (can remember hearing it in shops (Woolworths near the pick n mix section sticks in my memory) when it came out when I was 10 without focusing so much on all the lyrics) and didn't know about that little twist..just checked the lyrics. Very clever.

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 28/11/2024 16:33

Tortielady · 28/11/2024 15:29

When they're good, they're very, very good. (A Little Time, Song For Whoever.) When they're bad, they're horrid. (Perfect 10 🤮)

This!!!

BashfulClam · 28/11/2024 16:33

the80sweregreat · 28/11/2024 14:06

A little time has a great twist !
I've never seen them live but on a good night I can imagine they are worth seeing

I belt this one out when I hear it…’the freedom that you wanted back, it’s yours for good, I hope you’re glad.,,’

MrsMitford3 · 28/11/2024 16:33

MyOtherProfile · 28/11/2024 16:32

I'd be interested to know if there's much of a north/South divide in whether people like them or not.

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Love and South

MrsMitford3 · 28/11/2024 16:33

I love Beautiful South-took me right back.

Also loved the Housemartins and Deacon Blue-so evocative of a time in my life which is lovely to look back on!

MyOtherProfile · 28/11/2024 16:32

RuudVanWrinkleBreath · 28/11/2024 16:12

I can't believe my thread has got so many comments and 202 votes😄loved reading through all the comments.

Very much a marmite band it would seem

I'd be interested to know if there's much of a north/South divide in whether people like them or not.

TheGretaGarboHomeForWaywardBoysAndGirls · 28/11/2024 16:30

I like them especially Song For Whoever (I Love You From the Bottom of My Pencil Case). Classic.

DowntonCrabby · 28/11/2024 16:30

I adore them. I have one of the Song for whoever names, love the song. Rotterdam is my favourite.

MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned · 28/11/2024 16:28

I feel like you could only think Beautiful South lyrics were twee if you're either not listening to them or not hearing the irony in them? I get not liking the music, and I can see why you'd object to the lyrics on other grounds (as mentioned upthread, 36D is unpleasant, though clearly not twee) but I can't think of one that is mawkish?

Cheguevarahamster · 28/11/2024 16:27

Thank you @RuudVanWrinkleBreath I have just put them on Spotify. Forgotten how much I love them . As a student I wore out my copy of Choke.

NerrSnerr · 28/11/2024 16:24

I love them. I'm originally from Hull and Paul was always lovely when he came into the restaurant I worked in. They were my first ever gig age 15. Really love their music.

CorbyTrouserPress · 28/11/2024 16:24

TheCrenchinglyMcQuaffenBrothers · 28/11/2024 16:23

It was the lyrics she wasn't happy with, not his attitude in general. And tbf, they have since all acknowledged that in 36D, for example, they should have only targeted the industry that exploited the women rather than criticising the women themselves. So some self awareness, and most people grow up a bit as they get older and maybe reflect on what they could have done better.

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36D - a song about the porn industry - how ‘twee’ 😉

Utterlyexhausted · 28/11/2024 16:23

"Every penny don't fit the slot!" I love them!

TheCrenchinglyMcQuaffenBrothers · 28/11/2024 16:23

GrimDamnFanjo · 28/11/2024 15:23

Brianna was quite critical of Paul's attitude to women in the earlier songs I understand.

It was the lyrics she wasn't happy with, not his attitude in general. And tbf, they have since all acknowledged that in 36D, for example, they should have only targeted the industry that exploited the women rather than criticising the women themselves. So some self awareness, and most people grow up a bit as they get older and maybe reflect on what they could have done better.

Kitkat1523 · 28/11/2024 16:22

Piggywaspushed · 28/11/2024 16:14

I honesty didn't know they were until now. I just thought everyone liked them...

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They do….this is MN remember…..most people just come online to be argumentative or talk shite

skyeisthelimit · 28/11/2024 16:22

I love them. I saw them live in 1999 and they were brilliant

I play the CD in the car and DD 16 hates it

namechangeGOT · 28/11/2024 16:22

Ah I'm off to see Paul Heaton tomorrow for the millionth time! Outstanding songwriter

bunnypenny · 28/11/2024 16:22

WinterCrow · 28/11/2024 14:13

I can’t stand them. Twee lyrics, always sung smugly and in too high a pitch, with music that sounds like it was written by AI.

If they come on the radio I have to turn it off.

Deacon Blue on the other hand … fabulous.

Haven’t read the thread but I’m sure someone has mentioned it but if not - tickets go on sale tomorrow for Deacon Blue’s 2025 tour! I bought presale tickets earlier for Wembley Arena!

periodiclabel · 28/11/2024 16:21

Piggywaspushed · 28/11/2024 16:15

There is an actual definition but never mind. It matters not. It's to do with the guitars.

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oh okay, I didn’t know that I’m not a musical expert🤣

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 28/11/2024 16:21

Actually, on reflection I think 'cringe' fits the lyrics better than 'twee'.

Kitkat1523 · 28/11/2024 16:21

lazyarse123 · 28/11/2024 16:13

I only really know "don't marry her" for some reason dh bought me a live version for Christmas years ago (I probably once said "oh I like this song") anyway they changed the words to fuck instead of have and it completely ruined it for me.
I real life it is one of my favourite words but it just ruined the song for me, so I haven't listened since.

Errr think you got that back to front

Sethera · 28/11/2024 16:19

They are a good band but they are hardly 'underrated':

9 top 10 UK albums including a number 1 album

22 Top 40 hits including 6 top 10 hits, 2 number 2s and one number 1.

This is turning into a Mumsnet pet peeve of mine. By all means start a thread about a great band, but don't try to present bands that were hugely successful in their day as some niche interest that hardly anyone has heard of, because that's annoying and silly.