Ian Dury- Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick REACTION & REVIEW

[@neilloughran4437]

As someone who grew up in the 70s I have to say 1979 was a special year... I can still recall lying in bed listening to songs from the Police, Joe Jackson, Peter Gabriel, ELO, Queen, Squeeze, Blondie and Ian Dury. I really wish modern music was like it used to be but glad to have lived through that magic period.

[@rosmeeker1964]

I'm glad I have 1969-71.

[@mikkifly]

Yeah agreed I was ten and just getting into music

[@warrenbutson122]

totally agree what a year for new wave pop - add on XTC to that list

[@mattleppard1964]

I was 9 then and even at that age it was fantastic. I have kept all those songs close to my heart. The UK pop scene was so vibrant for so long ❤

[@scatterkeir]

yeah I was 8 and I loved this funny big hit

[@paulcollins5586]

Brilliant lyricist and one of the tightest bands around.

[@neilparnell5712]

Norman Watt Roy and Chas Jankel really built a great foundation for Dury to build on, fantastic musicians as were all the blockheads over the years.

[@adam872]

One of the best bass lines in recorded history this one

[@sonicart1808]

The bass line..... it's one of the finest.....loved your reaction/analysis Jp thanks!

[@jimbo6059]

Knitted the song together, that bass line.

[@mojobag01]

Two saxophones in one mouth. The untouchable Blockheads.

[@mrbrad4566]

The B side on this single was "Ain't half been some clever bastards" It's great fun. Perhaps do it with "Bus Drivers Prayer" as two often underheard tracks. "What a waste" was the previous single and shouldn't be skipped over. Next single "Reasons to be Cheerful" is where he invented rap music.

[@chatham43]

@mrbrad "Wot a Waste" just to be pedantic.😊

[@mrbrad4566]

@@chatham43 Fair do's. Makes me think of all the other things I could have done with my life. But you can't do everything.

[@PeterMoore66]

Davey Payne playing two saxes at the same time during that break before the final verse. Pure class!

[@sheldonhowells3083]

Yes, I remember this being at the top of the charts back in 1979. This is my favourite ever bassline provided by Norman Watt Roy! I went to see the Blockheads play live, at a local venue, around ten years ago. I am sad I never got to see them when Ian was still alive, but it was great to see my bass hero, Norman, in action!

[@bassvibasics479]

I was the bass player in a late70s/early 80s cover band, and as much I adore this song I used to dread it in the setlist. My forearms ache simply at the memory of gigging it!

[@andrewclayton4181]

Ian Dury was fun. Enjoyed listening to his stuff on the radio. Another Reason to be cheerful.

[@TJPenitencia]

What a badass song to react to! I haven't heard this in forty freaking years. Great choice, man.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

No better single in '79. Simply magnificent!

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Agreed, and it was a classic year.

[@littlecitygirl]

This still sounds as awesome now as it did in 1979. Stone cold classic.

[@TheCornishCockney]

The Blockheads were no joke,they were all seasoned musicians. Can I recommend……..to Londoners,Durys “Bus Drivers Prayer” Unless you know different areas of London. Hilarious.

[@martinbynion1589]

You MUST watch the video with this song...it totally transforms it!!!

[@jasonbrandt5504]

Great reaction. In the spirit of non album singles, you will love Reasons To Be Cheerful, Pt3 !

[@jeremyb5640]

This was huge in the UK in 1979. Funky, soulful, playful, and really stood out on the radio. A fantastic track in a fantastic year for music with great records from The Jam, Blondie, Squeeze, Joe Jackson, ELO, Gary Numan, The Police, The Specials, The Clash and so, so many more.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Dire Straits was primo league in '79!!

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

Another shout-out! Thanks! Ian was a weird and wonderful musician, and quintessentially British - a punk Noel Coward. This was his biggest hit, with its combination of strangeness and irresistible funk. Glad you liked it!

[@stevegreen5552]

This was the only song where I said, "This has to be number one," and it was top of the UK music charts the following week. Superb bass line and the timing on those piano plinks drives it forward. And yes, despite being someone who tended to buy albums, I went out and bought the single. Still have it.

[@DusCostea-kt1dg]

They were absolutely phenomenal Live back in the day. There gigs were insane 🎶🎵🔥🤌👍🙏💪🐝🍀

[@georgedavis-stewart4225]

Chas Jankel's arrangements also ensure a great time. The rhythmic vocals are never out of place, witty wordplays around a central theme. Great song and memories from a late 70s musical wonderland where artists had record company wallets open wide to support their creativity.

[@ianmc8671]

Got an old git dancing. Reasons to be cheerful part 3 - next please.

[@robertpearson8798]

I haven’t heard this song for a long long time. What a morning treat.

[@j0hnf_uk]

I remember getting told off for inadvertently playing the b-side of the single version of this, when I was a kid! 🤣

[@davekershaw3695]

Takes me right back to my disco days! Everyone was on the dance floor when this came on 🕺

[@patrickholt2270]

This iteration of the Blockheads was such a genius combination of genius musicians, and then just Ian Dury's poetic genius providing the lyrics and frontman energy. So often the best bands come out of happy accidents of the right people meeting each other at the right time, and this is another one of those, uniquely special, divinely appointed happenings. Labels try to manufacture bands to meet market researched targets, or rich kids have a professional plan worked out in flowcharts they stick to rigidly, but the real greats just happen, and played together for fun, and the fun translated into genius.

[@MarjorieStoker-oj8fh]

Personally born 53 best music 50s 60s 70s 80s thank you ❤

[@williamgeorgefraser]

Fantastic song. RIP Ian.

[@shemanic1]

Ah Bless his cotton socks. Ian was a treasure. His wild humour with such a funky band, Magic.

[@tortheatre2595]

I love a reaction video, and, as a Brit I love watching folk from around the world reacting to quintessentially British stuff and seeing if they get it. Seeing if it translates. So, HMWYRS is a go-to in my searching. And yes, you got it. You got the funk and you got the meaning. You mention Zappa, others have mentioned Lou Reed, but my comparison would be James Brown - spreading meaningful nonsense over tight-ass funk. But enough of the comparisons, the guy was unique.

[@saturninebear]

Now you need to do "Reasons to Be Cheerful" and "What a Waste".

[@ChasBeauregarde]

"Why don't you get on back to bed?"

[@MikeBracewell]

Shared a beer with Norman a few times, mate of a mate. Lovely guy & one of the finest bass-players ever. The man can groove. I think Ian would have peed his pants at your suggestion he was Zappa's contemporary - anyone farther removed from him, I can't think? Zappa would have been way too Muso for Working-class Londoner Ian - he was very down to Earth with no time for fools. Though very frail, having been a polio victim, Dury was a very edgy character, IRL. That edge carried over to their music. Underneath all the superficial 'fun' was a sexy, subversive, steely, keen intelligence (Ian studied art at the RCA under Peter Blake, no less). I strongly suggest you find out more about Ian & the band, in general & check out the London Pub-rock scene from the 70s, from which The Blockheads emerged. Like XTC, Squeeze etc they were yet another stunning band from the late 70s that didn't get as much recognition as they deserved. I was 14 when this was released &, despite the odd dollop of dross, the UK charts were amazing, back then. Can you imagine switching your radio on & hearing this at 7 in the morning, followed by The Jam, Squeeze, Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, XTC, The Ruts, Madness, The Specials, the list was endless. Then the pixie boots, big-hair & samplers arrived & it all went belly-up from there!

[@MGrayl-ib5fo]

Absolute banger! What a band!

[@PjRjHj]

Norman Watt-Roy attempting his best Jaco 16ths while giving me carpal tunnel

[@philipmccarthy6175]

Jaco was a master but I think Norman had the funk.

[@jublaim]

I was 18 in 1979 and listening to new music on the radio and record stores was essential. This song made me order "New boots and panties" record and from then on I was hooked. Groovy, fun, punk 'n' soul! I started playing the songs at parties and it soon made an impact and everybody was digging it!

[@bryanforis1839]

They were one of best groups tight end and a great rap funk great band they were great live band

[@DavidPola1961]

What a crazy memory from the 70's

[@wilks6]

Norman was asked once about this song. He said "I thought I was being paid by the note, so I just went for it..." Magnificent

[@philipmccarthy6175]

So many funky tunes from Mr Dury & co.

[@Mark_Bickerton]

This track makes me cheerful... in fact if gives me three reasons to be cheerful!

[@simonlitten]

Heard this when it first came out. A breath of fresh air at the time. New wave music was in its first flower. Helluva lot more fun than accounting. Thank you.

[@solentbum]

This is what you get when you have musicians working together.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Love it and danced a LOT to it. Fabulous rhythm section. He was unique.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

This sounds even better now... Haven't heard it in a while so the radio saturation has worn off.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

@@HippoYnYGlaw There's a great live version from OGWT, I think.

[@sablebasilisk7998]

Bloody marvelous !!!!! The Piano Riff !!!!

[@michaelgray5100]

This must have slipped past me. I was in college when this first came out. I'm just I'm listening to this while I'm still around. This sounds good.

[@GRAHAMESIMPSON]

JP you have covered Wake up and Make Love to me - the music for Hit Me was inspired by a funky piano part near the end of "Wake Up and Make Love with Me" so it all connects :)

[@lubilou64]

You can imagine as an 8 year old how the line "2 fat persons click click click" went down 🤣 I'm sure (in fact I know) I got on my brother's nerves shouting the line out every time he played it! Love you to react to What A Waste by Ian Dury & the Blockheads. That really is a funky tune 😀

[@kevanbodsworth9868]

Best rythm section in British pop n` rock ,

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

Shout out from Cymru, jp - Tiger Bay callin'. A oes Heddwch? Heddwch!

[@princebuster93]

Absolutely brilliant track, ❤❤

[@DropAnchor1978]

When this song came out and was all over the radio, I did not get it. My brother actually hit the radio with a bat (stick?) and did it in. Now, years later, I love it; I get it and applaud it!

[@musicdroog7666]

More cheeky humour on "Razzle in my Pocket"

[@tago69mago]

Totally agree Justin. Chaz Jankel and Norman Watt Roy and the rest of the band could really play and added with Ian's witty, other worldly, intelligent lyrics you really can't fail!

[@varsitycamplife]

Such a great song and performance! Very fun to watch him do this live as well.

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

This was actually released in November '78 I know this as I was DJing at the time and got a promotion copy to play, but it didn't get to number one in the charts until '79, great track from one of Britain's best.

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

THIS is where it’s at Adam 😆… 🤫 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

​@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_BletheringHi Jay, great to see you here! I like Justin's channel, I've been a subscriber for years.

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

@@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis. me too , just not visited for a while , I went back through his catalogue the other day looking at tracks that interest me , The Clash etc and I’ve already commented 😀… I now see there’s quite a lot of past n present recognisable names here which is cool cos Justin is much more likely to play stuff I like . I’m fed up being a comedy villain and want to get back to enjoying the music , still will attend C n C gig but only for tracks I like now . Good to see ye here Adam 👏 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

​@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_BletheringI can totally understand, Jay. Some of the Canadian in particular is awful, but you can't like everything, I know that they like to support their country but I feel that it shouldn't be to the detriment of their channel, which I think it is looking at the number of views and comments and 'Likes' they get on them. I really like what Justin does on his channel, he mixes things up well.

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

@@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis. 💯 Adam ! I like C n C , they are charming folk , but are happy to stick to their formula and have minimal growth .. and tbh that’s fair enough , it’s their channel , but that’s why there’s such a huge recycling of subscribers, only 5 or 6 I recognise from tracks 18 months ago . I have tried to gently nudge them into Considering freshening it up .. nope . Todays is super 💩and I’m not even gonna listen now .. breathe Jay .. happy place 😝 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@brockmiles6597]

Finally! One of the few times the video lives up to the music.

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

Thrilled your doing this banger Justin - Norman Watt-Roy shines on the bass here .. infectious and loveable 💖 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@blackmoofou6385]

Absolute banger of a bassline! The blockheads were one of the tightest bands around at the time.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Can hear how Dire Straits snuck away with this just a bit.

[@martinyozzer1232]

my last year in a crappy school where this song made a school day easier ,we all loved it and would sing it in break

[@broadsword6650]

The first single I ever bought! Fabulous then, fabulous now. C'est magnifique!

[@aldo34]

Genius

[@tomratcliff3755]

So much more going on than I remembered. But I remembered it as it was going on. WTUL had some great playlists. Staying up all night and rocking out to the New Wave and Punk working on projects in the lab. Definitely have to get out the old CD collection after this. THANK YOU!!!

[@tomratcliff3755]

OMG I love this song. My power is out, but I can't wait to hear your reaction! I haven't heard the song since the 80's, but I still sing it often (and probably wrong). I hope you like it, cause it is so much fun. (And who can argue with a bunch of blockheads)

[@joelliebler5690]

Hilariously good song. Entertaining and danceable!

[@AP-gb3eh]

Dancing to this in the clubs too fun

[@somthingbrutal]

another of his worth a listen Spasticus Autisticus

[@grahamstubbs4962]

This one comes straight in and doesn't let up.

[@gpreactions3194]

Ian Dury & The Blockheads entered the UK Top 40 on 9th December 1978 peaking at no.1 in Janurary 1979. The Top 10 on week of entry was: 1 - Boney M - Mary's Boy Child 2 - The Village People - YMCA 3 - The Barron Knights - A Taste Of Aggro 4 - The Bee Gees - Too Much Heaven 5 - Rod Stewart - Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? 6 - Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond - You Don't Bring Me Flowers 7 - Sarah Brightman & Hot Gossip - I Lost My Heart To A Starship Trooper 8 - Racey - Lay Your Love On Me 9 - Chic - Le Freak 10 - Heatwave - Always And Forever Also in this weeks Toop 40 Blondie - Hanging On The Telephone The Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap The Clash - Tommy Gun Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick The Buzzcocks - Promises The Cars - My Best Friend's Girl Not the greatest Top 40 but Justin you was right about this track, it was all over the airwaves in late 1978/early 1979. And it did well to reach no.1 in January.

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

The top ten was almost singularly awful, but the other top 40 hits were you mentioned were brilliant.

[@izzonj]

I have this on the 12" vinyl "disco release" which is about 2 min longer (more dance jam) and came out in '79. On the flip side is "Reasons to me Cheerful (Part 3)", which we all can't wait for you to react to! Note on the latter, there are lyrics posted on line but I haven't found any version that are entirely correct. There are lots (LOTS) of British pop culture references that most people who have transcribed, don't understand.

[@swimrski]

I was 19 in 1979, and getting to the record store is exactly what I did!

[@A00ZINC]

Hey JP you definitely need to listen to "Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll " from Ian Dury & The Blockheads !

[@nomisnestral6956]

Chaz Jenkel is a secret mastermind of pop.

[@MusicandCatLover-vc6jb]

I love this song and your nice shirt, too!

[@richardlouistownson769]

Friggin love this song.

[@shacharh5470]

Baxter Dury (Ian Dury's son) has an interesting music career too. You should check out, maybe the song "Palm Trees".

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

It was on all our party mix tapes! Everyone got hit with the stick and danced. Happy daze.

[@stevemarchant3670]

When I first heard this on the radio it was a shock. True true! New Boots and Panties was a favourite album so the shock was the turn in direction to a more commercial more accessible sound - it happened to all my favourite new wave artists (Clash, Stranglers, Ian Dury, XTC, Talking Heads) - hey! they all need to make a buck at some point

[@markrae1317]

The opening line - "My temperature's rising and the jukebox's blowing a fuse" is a nod to "Roll Over Beethoven" by Gene Vincent. Dury was a huge fan, and wrote the song "Sweet Gene Vincent" about him, which was on the "New Boots and Panties" album.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

He's done that album!

[@neiladams3042]

Always loved this song since first hearing it as a small child. The bassline slaps. Feels like it would be perfect as a 1-2 punch alongside Blondie's Rapture.

[@Happyheretic2308]

That lovely, wistful, verse from Mandalay onwards ….

[@oliverbendallcharles]

Grew up listening to this as a kid , came immediately to mind after Gaga released Disco stick years later.

[@maruad7577]

This song inspired a friend to create an item for his Dungeon & Dragons campaign. He called it an ugly stick and it permanently removed 1 charisma from whomever was hit with it. The one long sax note sounded likely something from Manu Dibango (Soul Mokassa is probably his most famous in North America).

[@janewatkins9801]

Love Ian Dury. His 'New Boots and Panties' album is one of the best albums ever. 'Reasons to be Cheerful Part 3' is another fab track, though it's not on the aforementioned album. I was on holiday in France, at a disco in Paris when Reasons was a huge hit. A magical experience. 'My Old Man's a great track too and it is on the 'New Boots' album. Don't play it to your Mum though, there's alot of swearing on one of the tracks 😂. It's actually Ian reading graffiti but it may not be obvious to your Mum 😂. Love the originality of Ian Dury and the Blockheads.

[@ac9110]

The bass player Norman Watt-Roy jokes he thought he was getting paid by the note, hence the superfast bass line.

[@JustJP]

Thats really hilarious :D

[@cosmiccat6708]

Reasons to be cheerful, 123...

[@mikewoodrow5878]

More Blockheads, anytime! A real party band and Ian Dury had so much charisma.

[@a.k.1740]

I like "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick" and the other non-album single, "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3", but I must say I still prefer the album from the same period, Do It Yourself (released in May 1979), which I consider to be Ian Dury & the Blockheads' most successful and which I hope you'll react to one day!😉

[@lennartforsberg1519]

Ian Dury was on Stiff Records together with Nick Lowe, Wreckless Eric, and some other artists.

[@delorangeade]

I'm surprised this hadn't been done already. Unequivocally great, the song and the band. It might have been John Turnbull matching Ian's voice with the guitar?

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

This is much more like it for me del 🤫 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@delorangeade]

@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering That's good to know.

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

@@delorangeade 👏 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Venus_Isle]

Ist video of yours I've watched. Reckon you've got a really good musical ear, young sir...

[@JustJP]

Thats very kind of you to say Venus- ty for watching :)

[@bobholtzmann]

I heard it on a college radio station, and that "Hit me" phrase definitely got my attention, as it was begging for unheard consequences.

[@lesliedavis2185]

Aah still word perfect. Very happy. Such a great tr@ck.

[@Dudlow]

I could be wrong, but I always thought it was John Turnbull doing the lead guitar at the end.

[@faceymedia65]

Keys To Her Ferrari by Thomas Dolby has a similar crazy vibe.

[@mightyV444]

Hah, funny! Ian Dury had popped up in a conversation I was having just yesterday! 😀 There's also a German cover version by a comedian named Dieter Hallervorden, called 'Freibier' - "Free Beer" 😁 Which was quite well done musically, but his bassist simplified those tricky 16th-note bass lines a lot! 😅

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

A HA !!! We meet again sir 😅 Love this channel btw 👏 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@mightyV444]

@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering - 🎵"Taaaaake ooooon meeee...."🎵 😄 Gidday, mate! 😀 Yes, Justin's a lovely young man with always positive vibes 😊 May your week have been a great one! 😀👍 Myself, I've had a relapse with my lower-back issues which I've been treating with going on long walks; Luckily we're _still_ having a Golden Autumn here, allowing me to do so 😌🙏 Cheers, V. 😊🎵☀️

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

@@mightyV444 bummer about the back mate .. (sad face 😔) .. in truth I need to also get out n about for invigorating walks for my fatness.. 🤣 I’ll see you here or there mightyV.. 🍻 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@mightyV444]

@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering - Yeah, I should get back into cycling or some other exercise in order to lose some weight myself! 😅 Walks don't really help with that, as they don't get my heart rate up (unless I cross paths with a pretty female). Luckily my band wasn't playing any gigs over the weekend, as that would've been impossible for me (We'd played two just one week earlier!). And yes, see you around, Jay! 😀 All the best! 😊👍

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

@@mightyV444 👏 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Good one here love you

[@SPKdesign1]

Ther's not much I can say that hasn't been said in previous comments. The best o the best.

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

Indeed sir ! I’ve dipped in n out of JP’s channel for over a year now and it’s Sooooo much more my thing tbh 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@SPKdesign1]

@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering I like this Channel but tend not to comment quite as much.

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

@@SPKdesign1 I like it too SPK , there are some far out yeehaw tracks but it’s MUCH more likely that there’s stuff ID like here. My days are numbered on the prairie fields of north America , I’m determined to only comment on stuff I like and that’s not gonna be much let’s be honest 😀.. anyway , good to know some o you lads come here too 👌 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@SPKdesign1]

@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering I'm Ok oveer there but I'll keep pushing for better Tunes.

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

@@SPKdesign1 I’ll keep on attending , but life’s too short to be Moaning for Scotland on a daily basis , that had to change for me 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jfergs.3302]

Who's the star... Norm's the star.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

It's the entire band on this gem! 🫡

[@radicaladz]

Trying to remember if you did Billericay Dickie or Plaidstow Patricia already. *checks* Yes, yes you did. I gusss that means either I Wanna Be Straight, Spasticus Autisticus, or There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards are what I'll recommend next.

[@benovision6325]

Reasons to be cheerful part 3 - thats a brilliant record

[@alanhobden8847]

"Two fat persons, click click click" A brilliant twist on what bingo callers used to say for eight eight and sixty six