John Cooper Clarke - Beasley Street (Old Grey Whistle Test 1980)

John Cooper Clarke - Beasley Street (Old Grey Whistle Test 1980)
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Lyrics
Far from crazy pavements -
The taste of silver spoons
A clinical arrangement
On a dirty afternoon
Where the fecal germs of Mr Freud
Are rendered obsolete
The legal term is null and void
In the case of Beasley Street
In the cheap seats where murder breeds
Somebody is out of breath
Sleep is a luxury they don't need
a sneak preview of death
Belladonna is your flower
Manslaughter your meat
Spend a year in a couple of hours
On the edge of Beasley Street
Where the action isn't
That's where it is
State your position
Vacancies exist
In an X-certificate exercise
Ex-servicemen excrete
Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies
In a box on Beasley Street
From the boarding houses and the bedsits
Full of accidents and fleas
Somebody gets it
Where the missing persons freeze
Wearing dead men's overcoats
You can't see their feet
A riff joint shuts - opens up
Right down on Beasley Street
Cars collide, colours clash
Disaster movie stuff
For a man with a Fu Manchu moustache
Revenge is not enough
There's a dead canary on a swivel seat
There's a rainbow in the road
Meanwhile on Beasley Street
Silence is the code
Hot beneath the collar
An inspector calls
Where the perishing stink of squalor
Impregnates the walls
The rats have all got rickets
They spit through broken teeth
The name of the game is not cricket
Caught out on Beasley Street
The hipster and his hired hat
Drive a borrowed car
Yellow socks and a pink cravat
Nothing La-di-dah
OAP, mother to be
Watch the three-piece suite
When shit-stoppered drains
And crocodile skis
Are seen on Beasley Street
The kingdom of the blind
A one-eyed man is king
Beauty problems are redefined
The doorbells do not ring
A lightbulb bursts like a blister
The only form of heat
Here a fellow sells his sister
Down the river on Beasley Street
The boys are on the wagon
The girls are on the shelf
Their common problem is
That they're not someone else
The dirt blows out
The dust blows in
You can't keep it neat
It's a fully furnished dustbin
Sixteen Beasley Street
Vince the ageing savage
Betrays no kind of life
But the smell of yesterday's cabbage
And the ghost of last year's wife
Through a constant haze
Of deodorant sprays
He says retreat
Alsations dog the dirty days
Down the middle of Beasley Street
People turn to poison
Quick as lager turns to piss
Sweethearts are physically sick
Every time they kiss
It's a sociologist's paradise
Each day repeats
On easy, cheesy, greasy, queasy
Beastly Beasley Street
Eyes dead as vicious fish
Look around for laughs
If I could have just one wish
I would be a photograph
On a permanent Monday morning
Get lost or fall asleep
When the yellow cats are yawning
Around the back of Beasley Street

[@Isabellaacapella]

This still almost gives me physical pain. The wonderful power of the best music…

[@gordonwhite104]

Without the music it would be a brilliant piece of poetry Without the poetry it would be a brilliant piece of music With both it is perfect. I had forgotten just how brilliant this was

[@PublicEnemyMinusOne]

Dr Sanguine Sunrise Okay sure, You’re right and everyone else is wrong. Everyone who cited Clarke as a great poet, including those like COEN are wrong and you are right. Sure.

[@stephenlee1756]

@Dr Sanguine Sunrise I have read and studied all the great poets. I am a particular 'fan' of John Donne, T.S. Eliot, Dylan Thomas, and John Keats. I have to tell you that JCC is up there with the best - so is Bob Dylan.

[@TheMan-WithNoName]

@Dr Sanguine Sunrise are you serious bro? Clarke is one of the most important poets of our time. Just cos you don't like it doesn't mean it's not poetry I don't like jazz but it doesn't mean it's not music

[@blueconcretezebra]

"...this is nineteen eighty..." Forty one years. FORTY ONE YEARS and just as relevant today. Still hits like a sledgehammer. If only music could overthrow governments, what would the world be like?

[@carolebarker2195]

A completely different place, blueconcretezebra.

[@andrewtucker94]

Having worked among musicians, it would be terrible for different reasons.

[@rogerbelger2014]

Horrible idea..low percentage of music that's really wholesome and good

[@petejones879]

43 now lol

[@deanpd3402]

Read Weird Scenes Inside the Canyon...it will change your mind about musicians.

[@JoyDivision88]

The line ''People turn to poison, quick as lager turns to piss'' is fantastic. I wish I had written that. I went out and bought his album back then after seeing this performance.

[@PaulJonesy]

Me too!

[@glamdolly30]

OMG - THAT IS THE LINE I REMEMBER! I was 11 or 12 when this came out, and tonight I suddenly remembered that lyric, and wondered where on earth I heard it. Googled it - and here I am. Why is that line so memorable? I guess that's genius.

[@FretFriendGWaL]

Brilliant line that :)

[@michael.carney5498]

Was he supporting the buzzcocks? I did the same, evidently chickentown

[@JohnLloydDavis]

And "sweet hearts are physically sick every time they kiss" too.

[@mattslater4605]

Say “Braverman” or Sunak instead of Keith Joseph, and it hasn’t aged a minute. Fantastic

[@rob-time]

Damn! I haven't heard this song for 40 yrs and it's still as brutally, disturbingly beautiful as the first time I ever heard it. I freaking love this song! So not the mold we are used to. When I was cross with my sister, I would play the song and crank the part that says "Where a fellow sells his sister, down a river on Beasley Street". It used to piss her off to no end but I would laugh my head off.

[@NormAppleton]

I had to explain punk to a dingbat. He thought it was fast music and stage diving. That's PUNK. Like Shitty Green Day Used this to explain that it's politics.

[@huzhuiwei]

Jesus. Forty-two years on, still such a powerful piece.

[@123pilpil]

And this kids is why the old grey was the best.. Twin towned with John peel. This performance always stuck out as something special at the time.

[@ianbradley8085]

I've always liked this. He deserves more recognition and his autobiography is worth a read.

[@MarkGormley-nn7fh]

So true ,one of England's greatest ever wordsmiths

[@paulseeeney7622]

One of the greatest songs ever written

[@rodneyhatch56]

Spoken word. A neglected genre.

[@bruceevans3476]

I think the actual term is Genre Cooper Clark. Trust me, I'm old and bought this when it came out.😊

[@michaelcandon2971]

This is the 'brave new world's as someone wrote about ..got that way off...2023 and still reverent...just glad I met the legend that is (dr) john cooper Clarke Keep it goin john....

[@Groundworker]

Where the action isn’t, that’s where it is. JCC was always ahead of his time.

[@TheMan-WithNoName]

Yeah mate I remember the first time I heard someone say "where it's not is where it's at" and I thought nah man where the action isn't that's where it is. Jcc is the man

[@stevebrindle1724]

A sneak preview of death!

[@NormAppleton]

I would love Jona Lewie to be the Poet Lauriat

[@jackal58590]

How comes Bob Dylan is worth millions,When J.C.C is a wordcraft genius, Could match Dylan songs any day!

[@richardgoffin-lecar1951]

JCC deserves his doctorate just for this. Even more relevant forty plus years on. Pure genius!

[@famashs]

As found on the Inisiblegirl Archive John Cooper Clarke - Vocals, Martin Hannett - Bass Guitar. Steve Hopkins - Piano. Paul Burgess - Drums. Vini Reilly - Electric Guitar. Lyn Oakey - Tambourine and Electric Guitar. Dave Formula - Synth.

[@richard4short5]

A few years ago recited this poem over a trucks’ 2way radio whilst driving a semi-trailer in Melbourne, Australia. The response?; “CLASS!” Also “that’s fuggen good mate” I told them that I thought so too - which is why I learnt it…

[@mauriceogrady4447]

So were many other truck drivers able to hear you?

[@richard4short5]

@@mauriceogrady4447 don't know

[@MirlitronOne]

A brilliantly-worded exposition of poverty. "Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies in a box on Beasley Street."

[@LarryMcLarnon]

We had the honour of seeing John live very recently in the Seamus Healy home place. What a night.

[@flaviocimolin8810]

mr. vini reilly successfully melting my heart there

[@carolina.delcerro]

the best of all times 🦊

[@EdwinNewcomb]

I stayed in a hotel in Gateshead with John and his team and introduced him to my teenage daughters as a genius 2017. He was absolutely charming and then I played this to them in our room before a night on the toon. They were well impressed. Genius. I saw him at Nottingham University mid 80s and unfortunately he was completely out of it, so good to see him back in play.

[@jimbeckwith5949]

JCC is still going strong. He's been at it nearly 50 years now, and good as ever. Snap, crackle and BOP!

[@CutieJones1972]

A true poet thank you John bless your cottons❤

[@Yorksbloke]

Still his best song imo. Saw him live a few months ago. Still got it.

[@stevious7278]

2022 and STILL as powerful as it was when it appeared on "Snap, Crackle, and Bop". DR. JCC is an international treasure...and his guest appearances on 8 Out Of 10 Cats are hilarious! He really brings out the punk poet in every guest on the show!

[@jameshamilton2751]

I still have Snap Crackle n Bop n play it too often. Bheers

[@karmyeldnih3745]

John Cooper Clarke Has been a massive inspiration to me.

[@steveblack610]

A few on here saying the BBC edited out the Keith Joseph reference. They didn’t. He leaves it out,otherwise it’s not getting broadcast. And a good decision too else we wouldn’t have this performance to purr over to this day.

[@Fexobs]

I was just pondering upon that.

[@johnbeaney1237]

Saw him in a small town in Dorset named Wimborne in about 1993. Had no band with him but was familiar with his band based album.He reminds me of Irvin Welch,gritty,uncompromising,urban,dangerous,taking no prisoners, powerful stuff. Someone has to stand up n cut through all the bull n these guys do just that. Fantastic!!

[@jeffwalker7185]

I recall watching this when it was first broadcast. By chance, my brother who was away at university also watched it and when he came home, I found out we had both become JCC fans.

[@tyronewarren6662]

🗣 *The one & only ‘John Cooper Clarke!* 🏆🎵🎶👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@johnmorrison2604]

John before we all go do one for GAZZA . QUICK SHARP WITH YOÙR GENIUS....❤. 🌈🇵🇸

[@nukmunnit3170]

Out of 180 thousand views, I'm 100 of them, too good JCC.

[@drewski363]

2023 and this is still a masterpiece🥰

[@user-swanjubilee]

❤ Brilliant New Wave track ❤ "It's not cricket, caught out on Beasley street"❤ A nitty gritty nice one ❤

[@mauriceogrady4447]

A classic especially with the musical building to a crescendo

[@andipandi5641]

i remember this back in the day - a real fecking classic..

[@Oakleaf700]

Heroin smoke wafted about ...very early 80's.

[@PSUK]

The Invisible Girls. Top musicians. 👌

[@rael1999]

So many brilliant lines from Johnny in this one !

[@ata1811]

JCC............................a national treasure!

[@martindowney8737]

I am a republican. This gentleman seems considerate to me. El Presidente John Cooper Clark. There is no despot he could not charm.

[@rattersinc]

As relevant today as then. The man is a legend. Never travel north,unless you can cope with reality.

[@price7955]

100 prlercnt right mate

[@bellerophonchallen8861]

He was never going to make it in music, always going to make it in poetry.

[@geuxx]

Wow sounds like they muted JCC saying Keith Joseph's name in the line 'Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies in a box on Beasley street'....

[@stevebradley5759]

I noitced that, must have jangled some nerves somewhere

[@grizcuz]

From memory, using then education secretary Keith Joseph's name in that context caused a bit of a stink. Tony Wilson did a disasterous interview with him around this period as well, which I don't think ever went out on World In Action. I think Wilson might have even referred to Joseph's nickname: 'The Mad Monk' which didn't go down too well. So the then Tory government were watching what their critics were saying very closely. I don't think the BBC muted it, I don't think JCC said it in the transmission, the BBC asked him not to do it before it was performed.

[@northseaeyes]

truth always delights x thanks jcc xx

[@Peter-rl4nc]

always loved this stuff from I married a monster from outer Space to this song and more

[@stevetaylor317]

Vini Reilly on guitar!

[@stevebrindle1724]

That's two geniuses from the north on one stage then!

[@markrae1317]

I have a vague recollection of being flatmates with him in Newcastle in the early 80s.

[@CutieJones1972]

Three kid, three maybe more

[@petejones879]

I've loved this for 43 yrs.. And will for a good few more hopefully

[@bigbaz2806]

Outstanding. I can feel Sleaford Mods in here.

[@vengefulvegan]

Australia again one day please!!!!!!!!!!

[@frankinparadise]

This always reminds me of when I was squatting in Notting Hill in ‘80. The squat’s still there … and it was a wreck when I was there …

[@baxdesign]

I note the broadcaster must have be scared of mentioning Keith Joseph, one of Thatcher's right-hand MPs at the time.

[@Isabellaacapella]

Bloody brilliant.

[@enzodisciullo2557]

What brilliance.

[@willyvlyminck138]

Still love this tune after 43 years

[@ianpeacock386]

Too right. Blown away. And I've seen Johnny live a million times x

[@Jacktheripper27]

Brilliant lyrics

[@petejones879]

There should be a 30 minute version of this

[@petejones879]

From the jcc poems turned to song.. This has always been my favourite.. Thirty six hours a very close second

[@martynjones8560]

Edited out Keith Joseph's name at 1:33. Today's version would be "Prati Patel smiles, and a baby dies, in a box on Beasley Street" - She'd smirk rather than smile 'tho - Smiling is strictly reserved for 120,000 deaths covering up the bollux of Brexit.

[@robertpowell6003]

Simply brilliant.

[@robertsterner408]

Mr clarke my son loves your intelligence in lyrics

[@FretFriendGWaL]

Genius! Saw him for the first time in Wakefield earlier this year. Fantastic...

[@NancyDrewe]

I love this with the Invisible Girls. Perfect together. Love Clarkie.

[@rozzyretreat3300]

Ahh memories alcohol and mind erasers (serapax) eighties

[@drstevie]

Genius....that's John.

[@davesherliker8425]

Incomparable genius

[@gordonliverpool]

Great version.

[@coupdegras107]

This dwarfs Dylan. I'm so glad I found JCC

[@memkiii]

Perhaps one of the greatest poems in English literature, closely followed by "Twat!".

[@ronzbronz6043]

wow...thanks ...never had the pleasure before now...late to the party from across the pond...Brilliant!!!

[@memkiii]

Well he's still touring, so you aren't too late.

[@glamdolly30]

5:40 This is the line that's stayed in my mind for 43 years, without knowing where it originated. It surfaced to my consciousness again today, no idea why, and I Googled it. 'As quick as lager turns to piss' sticks in the memory for some reason, and reading the comments I'm fascinated others say the same. I guess the best explanation is one word - Genius. John Cooper Clarke must be that. Thanks for this gem of an upload!

[@jeffsmith50001]

Is that Vinney Is that Hannet Is that Bill ? Dr John with his Gloom poems seems to cheer me up. Wonderful

[@lestoil]

This is....the greatest thing ever.

[@dianasendt9509]

I saw this freak at the Sydney trade union club. Tremendous!

[@crookedmouthdj]

The first time I saw him it was at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, of all places, in about '81, it was excellent

[@deepfryblue]

i met him at Christchurch university bookshop,NZ and i got him to sign my UK driving licence..round about '84- great bloke- iwas telling him how i'd only seen him live in Liverpool a coupla years before & was amazed to see him in chch.

[@nmp290765]

Saw him with New Order at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney . He was unforgettable.

[@ghengiscant538]

" Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies in a box on Beasley street " . I suppose it was the BBC who edited that out . Could be wrong .

[@andrewwebb4919]

BBC censorship at 1:33, it's Keith Joseph who smiles.

[@cjhards]

Beeb made him blank out KEITH JOSEPH, LOL. Surprised he bought that one.

[@geemonster9179]

This brings back some good memories

[@mummyd1990]

PURE CLASS.

[@francoiurich5291]

The blank...to make space to such an exciting musical tale.

[@natecrooklockacab9020]

Where the action isn’t Is where it’s at

[@sgtbilkotim]

JCC what a legend

[@paulallen3647]

legend

[@jeffhickson5365]

the peoples poet laureate, keeping it real ,rock on jc

[@jaysilverstone218]

dark anthem straight out of salford

[@peterbliek8614]

You can feel the grime slopdesperationTheEnd as in real life. La de da.

[@andipandi5641]

the next one he did after this i seem to remember was "readers wives"..

[@carolebarker2195]

Social deprivation and urban decay. Yes, I remember Salford in the 80's. JCC nails it.

[@raywilliams8277]

His best.

[@PicRic]

My favorite poet after Roger McGough. Reality with humorous overtones & a knuckle-duster from nowhere.

[@mikeybmw1]

love it

[@MrNewtonian]

Keith Joseph smiles and a Baby dies in a box on Beasley Street.

[@nickritson1575]

Saw Dr JCC a few weeks ago Feb 24 and he delighted in pointing out that this is often is portrayed as "Thatcher Britain" but he wrote it a few years before (77?) Although it's dipped in this version I'm sure that it's Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies" Wasn't he in The thatcher cabinet? Confused (Also he updated it with Beasley Boulevard)

[@ericblowtorch]

"The dirt blows in, the dust blows out" -- beautiful Beefheart reference.

[@dimethaltryptamine1]

Can you point out the track reference please?

[@olafbigandglad]

"The dust blows forward 'n the dust blows back" from Trout Mask Replica.

[@chrisb6296]

The poem is similar in theme / imagery to "An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum" by Stephen Spender published in his New Collected Poems (1964)

[@thx4dluv]

here because of CFNY in the 80's.

[@markforster2794]

Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies in a box on Beasley Street Kind of summed up Thatcherism for me

[@asharp6464]

at 1.32 there's an edit- the lyrics are Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies

[@scruttles]

As sharp and relevant now, as ever it was. Thanks government. Not. Cheers JCC..

[@richardgoffin-lecar1951]

JCC always tells it like it is.

[@davidforshaw4998]

👍 Absolute Genius! 🎵=🗝️

[@paulblenkiron478]

Fantastic

[@KazakhToon]

Easy cheesy greasy queasy beastly Beasley Street. Still here in 2018

[@anthonyoman3842]

And in 2019, probably for the foreseeable future too

[@charliecroker6445]

Anyone notice they cut "Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies"

[@stevebradley5759]

Just his name - politically sensitive?

[@reggaechicken]

1m 32s; lyrical reference to Keith Joseph (Secretary of State for Industry at the time) censored by the BBC.

[@gawainkeates]

Fortunately there there other versions of this on You-Tube where Keith hasn't been cut out.

[@rogerstorrs8679]

Oh you spotted that TOO huh ? one of the engineers of 'Thatcherism' - bl**dy typical ! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Joseph

[@nickmcp71]

In 1980? Secretary of State for Education, if memory serves (I was nine at the time, so apologies if I've got this wrong.) So, not so much knackering the lives of those already in work, but rather the future prospects of most of the school population, other than those fortunate enough to live in the right places and go to the right schools. What a charming bunch they were and are.

[@jjdesmondinteriors]

Education ... my father a teacher at the time hated the vile Keith Joseph ... with good reason.

[@DylanWhite-k5j]

First time I've ever seen the flexatone used on the Test.