Ian Dury - Sweet Gene Vincent Lyrics






Blue Gene baby

Skinny white sailor, the chances were slender, the beauties were brief
Shall I mourn your decline with some Thunderbird wine and a black handkerchief?
I miss your sad Virginia whisper, I miss the voice that called my heart

Sweet Gene Vincent
Young and old and gone
Sweet Gene Vincent
Who, who, who slapped John?

White face, black shirt
White socks, black shoes
Black hair, white strat
Bled white, died black

Sweet Gene Vincent
Let the Blue Caps roll tonight
At the Sock Hop Ball in the Union Hall
The bop is their delight

Here come duck-tail Danny dragging uncanny Annie, she's the one with the flying feet
You can break the peace, daddy sickle grease, the beat is reet complete
And the jump-back honey in the dungarees, tight sweater and a pony-tail
Will you guess her age when she comes back-stage, the hoodlums bite their nails

Black gloves, white frost
Black crêpe, white lead
White sheet, black knight
Jet black, dead white

Sweet Gene Vincent
There's one in every town
And the devil drives 'til the hearse arrives
And you lay that pistol down

Sweet Gene Vincent
With nowhere left to hide
With lazy skin and ashtray eyes
And perforated pride

So farewell, mademoiselle knicker-bocker hotel
Goodbye to money owed
But your leg still hurts and you need more shirts
You got to get back on the road





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Ian Dury Sweet Gene Vincent Comments
  1. M.... ....

    the wrong way

  2. J.... ....

    This could have been a Syd Barrett song.

  3. K.... W....

    The 70's were great !! Wished I had seen them in Sydney .....was told they were fantasic

  4. g.... c....

    I D and the bocks brilliant

  5. C.... T....

    most underrated artist ever i’m 14 and i jam out to him all the time. amazing artist

  6. M.... m....

    Put me in a room with the people who disliked this video

  7. A.... B....

    wan ae my favourites 😉

  8. s.... 6....

    I hope someone writes a song about ian dury one day as good as this .

  9. S.... N....

    I thank the God of music that I loved and lived at the same time as Ian Dury.

  10. m.... ....

    produced by NOBODY

  11. P.... G....

    A true man

  12. J.... F....

    Top sound and only a B-side. Happy days! Wait for the rocking!!!

  13. A.... ....

    Brilliant song

  14. H.... t....

    always loved this song a classic

  15. g.... K....

    This piano.

  16. D.... K....

    Bless Those days down in Old Kent Road Workhouse Studio along with Lol Latham and Ed Cross. Good Days!

  17. k.... h....

    Dury and the blockheads were underrated originally kilburn and the high roads i like the song my old man

  18. k.... h....

    Ian Dury Alway's feel sad at his death ....great man Rock on Ian

  19. J.... V....

    "White face, black shirt / White socks, black shoes / Black hair, white strat / Bled white, died black / Sweet Gene Vincent / Let the blue caps roll tonight."
    18 years today since Ian left this planet. A talented man, well worth remembering, a true original and a lyrical genius. Glad I got to see him play.

  20. P.... R....

    Saw them at the Colston Hall, Bristol, in 1978. The tightest band I ever saw! Still listening now with joy, and I am 68! Fabulous, and greatly underrated!

    P.... R....

    I do agree, but here in the Netherlands, Ian Dury was well respected and quite famous at the time. Still, a great artist!!

  21. D.... E....

    Mods. ??!! 😂😂

  22. J.... S....

    I’m always off my head when I listen to Dury.. But still I have no regrets✊

  23. M.... J....

    I miss your sad North London whisper

  24. S.... M....

    Blue gene baby
    Skinny white sailor, the chances were slender
    The beauties were breif
    Shall I mourn you decline with some thunderbird wine
    And a black hankercheif?
    I miss your sad Virginia whisper
    I miss the voice that called my heart
    Sweet gene vincent
    Young and old and gone
    Sweet gene vincent
    Who, who, who slapped john?
    White face, black shirt
    White socks, black shoes
    Black hair, white strat
    Bled white, died black
    Sweet gene vincent
    Let the blue caps roll tonight
    At the sock hop ball in the union hall
    Where the bop is there delight
    Here come duck-tailed Danny dragging Uncanny Annie
    She's the one with the flying feet
    You can break the peace daddy sickle grease
    The beat is reet complete
    And you jump back honey in the dungerees
    Tight sweater and a pony tail
    Will you guess her age when she comes back stage?
    The hoodlums bite their nails
    Black gloves, white frost
    Black crepe, white lead
    White sheet, black knight
    Jet black, dead white
    Sweet gene vincent
    There's one in every town
    And the devil drives 'till the hearse arrives
    And you lay that pistol down
    Sweet gene vincent
    There's nowhere left to hide
    With lazy skin and ash-tray eyes
    A perforated pride
    So farewell mademoiselle, knicker-bocker hotel
    Farewell to money owed
    But when your leg still hurts and you need more shirts
    You got to get back on the road... :)

  25. M.... J....

    I'd slap all those Johns who gave this a thumbs down.

  26. M.... J....

    I was a huge Gene Vincent fan already when this came out. Ian Dury caught Gene Vincent perfectly with this razor sharp North London inflected homage to his hero.

    M.... J....

    Me too, I mean about Gene & the Caps. He and his Blue Caps was a staple since somewhere in the 70s. This Dury 45 was released in 1977, but I guess I bougt it in early 80s. I even have an Ian Dury album from early 80s, or late 70s, though I am a 50's guy coming to music.

    M.... J....

    Ian was from East London

  27. w.... b....

    Just fucking class

  28. j.... s....

    AND WHAT A BASS LINE. HEARD IT AND BOUGHT NEW BOOTS AND PANTIES ABOUT A DAY LATER BACK IN THE DAYS OF POCKET MONEY.

    j.... s....

    Fantastic, amazing, stunning work on the bass line, all over New Boots and Panties!

  29. g.... ....

    this song was inspired, by his friend Vincent, they both had polio.and were room mates...this song is decorated to him

    g.... ....

    dedicated *

    g.... ....

    What kind of fairy tales are you spreading? You are so wrong anyone on this Earth can be. Gene Vincent had NO polio, though a wrecked foot, from a mc accident, that never healed. Gene was born Feb 11, 1935, in Norfolk, Virginia, US and Ian b. 1942 so I hardy believe they were "...room mates..." whatever that means? An I hardly think they were friends because of age difference (7 years can be pretty much when you are young) and Gene died at the age of 36, Oct 12, 1971 in Newhall, CA. I have NEVER read or heard anyone, and I know quite many people who know more than a hunch (including myself) about Vincent being friend or not with Ian Dury. You live in a fantasy.
    BUT I believe Ian identified his polio with Gene's quashed foot, in plaser of paris, that never healed by different reasons and probably also saw Vincent the first time he arrived in UK, late 1959 (or in the early 1960s). In late 1959 Ian would have been only 17 years young and at that age one is easily impressed by new music AND Gene was the American real deal compared to UKs sweet but bleak so called rockers. Most of them were crap except Joe Brown who was an excellent axman AND he learned even more when Eddie Cochran, CA, US, (great gtr player, musician, performer, self penned hits etc., etc., - in one word, one of the best Rock'N'Rollers ever) arrived Jan 10, 1960. Those responsible for Gene had the idea they needed another US rocker to make it real big i.e. money wise.
    Gene stayed in UK and Europe the entire 1960s and toured UK, France and other countries...well up to his near death. He was really in a bad shape because of his alcoholism and in 1971 when he managed getting back to US to die.
    Gene was much bigger in UK versus US (at this time, '59 until his death() and he had a die hard bunch of greasers as fans. Better be a big fish in a little pond than a small fish in a big pond. Right? ;O)
    Probably it was like this: So here you had the real deal, an American Rock'N'Roll rebel coming to UK in late '59, Ian Dury see him as 17 years of age and being very impressed start idolizing Gene. He also indenify himself with Gene as he is also handicapped because his foot... THAT's the real story.

    g.... ....

    garmoe12 gene had his left leg crushed in a motorbike accident.

    g.... ....

    @roland johansson And his last words were "Momma, you can call the ambulance now". Bled to death from a perforated stomach ulcer due to his drinking. So sad.

  30. r.... ....

    i was never an Ian Dury fan but I loved this song and still remember the great video that launched this song. Gene Vincent forever

    r.... ....

    I second that. Meaning Gene Vincent & the Caps. I wasn't a Dury fan, but this song is a classic.

    r.... ....

    Gene and the Caps were the best - and this song is a great tribute.

  31. R.... J....

    A magnificent tribute to the late great, tragic Gene Vincent. Ian's tribute to him remains
    unsurpassed, even after forty years since its' original release.
    On the back of this splendid track, I decided to check out Gene's music itself.
    All I can say, that at the height of Gene's powers he was unbeatable.
    The second Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps album still remains one of the greatest
    rock'n'roll albums of all time.

    Ian and Gene were both class acts.

    R.... J....

    Well, the first was as great as the second IMHO. Actually almost every song on the albums from Capitol during the 50s with Gene & the Blue Caps were great, if you compare it with white pop music, of course NOT with other original rockers as Elvis, Jerry, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Chuck, Fats, Richard et al.
    The sound: Much due to the incredible axman Cliff Gallup, 1st and 2nd album. Btw, the drummer Dickie Harrell is a friend of mine, you can hear his scream on "Be-Bop-A-Lula" (he was only 15 years young on the first album). Yep, great wild Rock'N'Roll. Incredible if you compare Vincent & the Blue Caps with other 'pop' music of the 50s, like Doris Day or Sinatra. Two different universes.
    Btw, when they recorded the first album for Owen Bradley at "Bradley's Farm," TN, US, Owen had his A-team of pro session men if the Blue Caps weren't up to the task. I think the first song Vincent & the Blue Caps ever recorded there was "Race With the Devil." As soon as Cliff opened with those incredible gtr chords or licks of "Race..." those session guys just shook their head and left. Says something. Lol. Rolling Stone Magazine listed "Be-Bop-A-Lula" at # 103 on its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." When did you hear that song last time on the radio, in general (except 'oldies' channels)? Nada, zero, zilch...aldrig. (I'm from Sweden and aldrig means never. ;O)

    R.... J....

    so right about the second album, its in my top 10 of all time

  32. E.... M....

    What a great catchy song! Captures an era! "I miss your sad Virginia whisper" ... so true.

    E.... M....

    Yup. Ian is alluding as you probably know to Vincent's voice and he was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

  33. E.... T....

    What a talent, eh?

  34. N.... E....

    Wonderful track....

  35. E.... T....

    Well done!

  36. s.... 6....

    ha. my neighbours gave up years ago.

  37. G.... O....

    Astounding! The lovely, gay gimp. New Boots And Panties one of the greatest albums in history. Also check out The Jam, another under appreciated English band. Peter Weller a musical genius. G Love.

    G.... O....

    It's Paul Weller, not Pete!! You're right though

  38. A.... P....

    Takes me back, he was a breath of fresh air and still is, every time I listen.

  39. M.... D....

    Love this!!!!

  40. j.... k....

    ah you seen him in 1960 in his pram

  41. U.... M....

    Ian Dury (Eng)...Alex Harvey (Scot)...Genius!

  42. F.... R....

    Sadly missed......

  43. R.... L....

    I saw him in January (I think) 1960 on stage at a cinema in Grantham. He was spectacular.

    R.... L....

    I assume you are talking about Gene? If it was in 1960 and after Jan 10 & before Apr 17, 1960 you must also had seen Eddie Cochran if it wasn't before Jan 10, the day Eddie arrived in England as both of them toured/recorded together (toured with other Brits as well, like Billy Fury, Joe Brown et al) until Eddie's untimely death in Apr 17, Chippenham in a cab heading for London and back to US. Eddie was killed and Sharon (Eds gf) & Gene were injured in that fatal auto accident. But to the question: did you have the opportunity watching Ed? And if, or both him & Gene, how was your experience? You think you can elaborate a bit? Thanks.

    R.... L....

    Yes, It was the Granada on the High St my mum went to see him, Eddie Cochran and Joe Brown amongst others.

  44. H.... ....

    Yet another song about the great Gene Vincent!

    H.... ....

    Yep. And it ain't by some neo-rockabilly band but by Ian Dury. I already got the 45 in the 80s. Can't recall how. Great lyrics.

  45. D.... E....

    real music, love the Thunderbird reference. enjoyed drinking this as a teenager.

    D.... E....

    Brilliant lyrics super song,New Boots and Panties was pure genius.

  46. A.... M....

    amazing track

  47. P.... ....

    The beginning of this song always reminded me of Beauty School Dropout from Grease!

  48. M.... T....

    Thanks Ian, the inuendo is perfect.

  49. B.... B....

    Thanks Father for having legendary tape and vinyl records collection.

    B.... B....

    your dad had class

  50. T.... ....

    Two legends, one song.

    T.... ....

    ochentosos

  51. w.... s....

    Saw him three times over a period of years twice with the Blockheads and once with the New Musical Students each concert different and equally brilliant.  A man I admired to do he did with his disability what a person.

  52. J.... R....

    Ed yeh need a swift kick up the hole , filth ?.? yeh jackass

  53. W.... W....

    little known fact, gene vincent tried to murder gary glitter. if only he'd been successful.

    W.... W....

    You know your stuff ,Gene was in love with a girl GG was seeing.

    W.... W....

    DogDamour

    W.... W....

    Hats off to you for that heads up mate, nice one!

    W.... W....

    You know your fact .Vincent was in love with a lady GG was seeing.

  54. s.... j....

    great track, brings back so many memories!

    s.... j....

    Ritual union little dragon

  55. E.... P....

    Came here looking for Taylor Swift. What is this filth?

    E.... P....

    +Ed Phillis I hope you're joking

    E.... P....

    +Ed Phillis
    Bloody hell, I hope you're kidding. If you aren't and actually think that Taylor Swift is better, I don't have any words.

    E.... P....

    Filth? Ed old son I'm worried about you. This is SUPERB. Obviously not as good as Taylor Swift (what is?) or, of course, the great Atomic Kitten. Have you heard the latest One Direction masterpiece> Takes a bit of getting into. Needs a few plays

    E.... P....

    like OMG me too!

    E.... P....

    I'm with you. This is SUPERB. Almost as good as Kerry Katonia at her best (I hope I've spelt that wrong}

  56. A.... G....

    Got to be one of the most underrated artists of all time. This song is phenomenal.

  57. A.... C....

    favorite Ian Dury quote 'if the band looks like they should be working in a bank then they're shit'

    A.... C....

    Still listening to this track 40 years on!!! Brilliant ian dury at his best !! Absolute legend. Great memories of growing up in wandsworth when this music was around.

    A.... C....

    @electricleg They often did!

    A.... C....

    i was 16 when this album came out ...into Zepp Purple Floyd Yes Genesis etc..friend of mine bought the record ..we played it in his bedroom..never forget it ..lifelong Blockheads fan since Ian was without doubt was a genius ..RIP

    A.... C....

    Aeons ago, I read a quote by Slaughter And The Dogs to the effect that The Buzzcocks looked like that- It was actually 'trainee insurance clerks', as I recall.. but the same kind of thing. Anyway, I don't think the principle held in that instance.

  58. s.... ....

    I loved listening to this as a ten year old back home at my parents house. my older brothers would play this and loads more getting ready for the weekend. fantastic  tune :)

  59. m.... d....

    This song is so sweet

    m.... d....

    I AGREE

  60. T.... ....

    Bless him, the man was a fucking genius despite his setbacks.

  61. M.... A....

    I hope my neighbours like this song too :-)

    M.... A....

    @Mick Allen Well said that man.......I bang this on at our local jukebox every quid i put in !!

    M.... A....

    @m2mark1

    M.... A....

    +Mick Allen Got the headphones on now, much more sociable!! xx

    M.... A....

    +Mick Allen Haha, my neighbour plays this full volume...love it!

    M.... A....

    Maybe Mick Allen is your neighbour!

  62. g.... m....

    there will never be another ian dury and may god bless him

    g.... m....

    You are so right ... no one like him. What a character!!!

  63. M.... B....

    Superb, like everything on New Boots And Panties!! !!!!!!!!!!

    M.... B....

    One of the best Albums ever.

  64. d.... h....

    still the best

  65. j.... d....

    So farewell mademoiselle, Knickerbocker Hotel
    Farewell to money owed
    But when your leg still hurts and you need more shirts
    You got to get back on the road...

  66. D.... J....

    "I miss your sad Virginia whisper, I miss the voice the called my heart.."

    D.... J....

    ha ha ha

  67. k.... ....

    The beat is reet complete!!

  68. b.... ....

    Brilliant.Just brilliant.

  69. I.... G....

    it was a sad day when ian past over great band

  70. L.... E....

    I actually adore your comment!

  71. C.... T....

    yeah but look at the music that's listened too these days, it's probably more of a compliment that most teenagers don't like this music..

  72. l.... ....

    UN GRANDE IGNORADO HOMENAJEA A OTRO GRANDE IGNORADO...

  73. I.... H....

    It's evident that you don't appreciate the kind of music I do.
    Fair enough.
    I've looked at your rather 'suspect' likes.....I'd rather not comment!
    Peace

  74. g.... 7....

    NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT....BORING, BORING, BORING; MAINSTREAM, MAINSTREAM, MAINSTREAM !!!!!

  75. g.... 7....

    Sounds like it came from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show".

    g.... 7....

    Like hell it does. This is North London poetry.

  76. I.... H....

    GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..GENIUS..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  77. a.... ....

    Man if you're saying fuck hip-hop you've obviously never listened to crust punk which incorporates hip-hop among other genres. Hip-hop is a fuckin sick genre (and I'm talking about proper hip-hop groups Run DMC, Public Enemy, Mobb Deep etc.) and there's a reason why Opera is one of the most classic genres. If you listen to other music instead of slandering it then your tastes will evolve. Punk is still my number one genre though.

  78. a.... ....

    I was exactly the same :L

  79. V.... G....

    everyone needs to shut their mouths on here, I'm young, and I clicked on this tune cos I wanna explore all genres of music in all their purest forms, and guess what my first choice of music is, HIP HOP!. rap music was becoming just as relevant and respected right as this record probably dropped, but my point is it annoys me when people who love music down on anything that may not be as easy on the ears as what they are use to, but it could be if u give it a real listen, just as i do other music.

  80. A.... G....

    Fuck hip hop,fuck opera,fuck pop and long live punk rock!

  81. J.... G....

    Yes! My faith in humanity restored, I'm the same age, grown up with that age of music, it's amazing. Screw pop, punk and old school rock is the way!

  82. M.... ....

    Here's to all the ones in every town "with lazy skin,ashtray eyes and perforated pride"

    M.... ....

    That is poetry ladies and gentlemen.

  83. J.... B....

    Check out the brilliant Gene Vincent!!!!

  84. J.... W....

    Just brilliant! Sounds as good as when I first heard it 30+ years ago.

  85. s.... o....

    woow you like a song wanna medal ?

  86. A.... S....

    Why can you not listen to both? its as if you think music is some tribe you need to be loyal to.

  87. m.... ....

    well I'm fifty blood eight and first saw Ian Dury when he was in Kilburrn & The High Roads at Dingwalls in Camden in 1974 when I was 20. They were the oddest band I've ever seen, two of them (including Ian) were handicapped an another one was a dwarf. They had a single out called 'Rough Kids' it one of the great forgotten songs & it's up on YT search 'Ian Dury, Rough Kids' - but it's not a solo song but the Kilburns.

  88. S.... S....

    Nice one mate..Ya know ya stuff 8)

  89. O.... C....

    I'm 12 and.. I love this!<3

  90. C.... S....

    oh i'm a teenager and i listen to good music not rap, fucking whoop de doo, there are a lot who do but don't feel the fucking need to tell everyone

  91. m.... k....

    Wonderful

  92. j.... j....

    Aww miss you Ian xx

  93. L.... C....

    loving it and so sharing it :-))

  94. u.... ....

    the best ever song written by a `rockstar` about another `rockstar`

  95. s.... ....

    Forgotten classic, their loss, our gain, we who haven't forgotten.

  96. H.... Y....

    London's greatest raspberry wears his heart on his sleeve - Always soulful , with his tongue firmly thrust into one cheek !!! Awesome

    The Devil truly does drive til the Hearse arrives ...........

  97. B.... B....

    One of the best songs ever