I’d gladly give a Nobel Prize to anyone who could tell me complete lyrics to this song. From the parts I can discern, though (and, of course, this being Luke Haines), I can safely claim that the lyrics are characteristically spiteful, wicked, irresistible.
“Subculture” appeared on The Auteurs’ classic debut record New Wave as a hidden track that followed the sad, melancholic “Home Again”. “Subculture” is a punkish, tuneful outburst that lasts a little more than two snotty minutes and gets the hell out. Truly there’s no resisting Haines’ sinister, strangely poetic vocal tone and lush, intense guitar playing. If this is your first time, I envy you.
“Subculture” appeared on The Auteurs’ classic debut record New Wave as a hidden track that followed the sad, melancholic “Home Again”. “Subculture” is a punkish, tuneful outburst that lasts a little more than two snotty minutes and gets the hell out. Truly there’s no resisting Haines’ sinister, strangely poetic vocal tone and lush, intense guitar playing. If this is your first time, I envy you.
(Yes, there really is no limit to my admiration for this man.)
P.S. I'd like to thank David who kindly sent me this song's lyrics:
"I bought the album on vinyl and this song was on an extra 7" - I think I played it more than the LP. As for the lyrics, here's my take:
It's because you tried to be half a person
kept uneven parts in some rented house
and then tried to send them back
all to no fixed abode,
could not hail a taxi,
not for want of trying
and they can't find him
and they can't find him
and they can't find him
and they can't find him
Jesus, what a jerk,
how did I get into this?
Been cornered by some freak show
talking through the gloom of that tower
hide your christmas in some smoking shack
check it out, oracle horoscope for you
and they can't find him
and they can't find him
and they can't find him
and they can't find him
Need to see, subdivide, change your life,
I won't let it bring out the worst in me
and then I'll give it up, pack it up -
go on, you know you can do it,
five-year plan, go back to college
You can't find me
and they can't find me
and they can't find me
and they can't find me
I await the decision of the Nobel Committee."
p sure the second verse is:
ReplyDeleteJesus, what a jerk,
how did I get into this?
Been cornered by some freak show
talking through the gloom about
Tarot,
I Ching,
Christmas in some smoking shack
check it out, oracle, horoscope for you
Cheers man! This does make much more sense to me.
DeleteAgreed that this is one of the best Auteurs songs EVER!!!
ReplyDeleteAfter a frustrating few weeks I've finally found what this song is! I was trying to compile a setlist (for Setlist FM) from a 1995 tape of the Auteurs in Manchester, and could not, for the life of me, identify the final encore, a wonderful and frantic gallop through a short explosion of a song. Even when I identified a snatch of lyric to Google, there was no trace on the internet. I thought the chorus was "You can't phone me", which may explain why I struggled. Anyway, today I was playing the (fabulous) expanded New Wave album and noticed a B-side called Subculture (They Can't Find Him) and, hooray, my setlist is complete. I knew the song well, had heard it many times, but I suppose the fact that it was a hidden track threw me. Great to meet some other Auteurs fans here.
ReplyDeleteYeah, man, fantastic song - took me years to fully appreciate "Home Again" as I was always waiting for "Subculture" to start...
Delete