Elbow – Picky Bugger

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Drinking
In order to feel
Thinking
Reinventing the wheel
Kicking up mischief
And feeding the fire
Kicking up mischief
And walking the wire

Little fish you count for nothing
Do your thing until you die
Keep your powder dry
In order and line

Thinking and sinking the wine
Kicking up mischief and feeding the fire
Kicking up mischief and walking the wire

Little fish just keep on flapping
Do your thing until you die
Keep your powder dry

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Lyrics submitted by Leif_Erikson

Track duration: 03:07

"Picky Bugger" as written by Guy Edward John/potter Garvey

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Picky Bugger song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Guy has said in an interview that the song is a warning to cocaine users. He says he was working in a night club and one of his colleagues told him to take this rock of cocaine as it makes your shift go faster. He says it sat on his mantlepiece at home for months and eventually he tried it. He wrote down 25 pages of rubbish in his diary that night after trying it and one line he always repeated in the diary was "little fish, you count for nothing; do your thing until you die".
    There you go :)
    Flag georgeporteron September 11, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:My Dad said 'Keep your powder dry' as I was leaving the house one day...I thought he was quoting 'elbow' at me! as I'd only heard the phrase in this song, till he explained:

    'Be prepared'

    Advice attributed to Oliver Cromwell (see quot. 1834), combining spiritual exhortation with the practical measure of making sure that one's gunpowder is kept serviceable.

    "Put your trust in God, my boys, and keep your powder dry.
    [1834 Colonel Blacker Oliver's Advice in E. Hayes Ballads of Ireland (1856) I. 192]"
    Flag lucky with diseaseon August 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:And inspired by cocain. "keep your powder dry"
    Guy said in a interview, when he worked at a bar someone asked him to try some coke against the tiredness. He tried and wrote 25 pages of "absolute bullshit". But this song is most about the dangers of too much party
    Flag tamedlamiaon November 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think this song is about an alcoholic
    Flag Adscititiouson January 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Well, I love this little staccato song, but it goes on my list of "songs that are impossible to sing."
    I mean, the "little fish" bit. It's just so high - I don't know how he does it! I can only just sing it, but it's pretty sad that I, a 14 year old girl, can only just hit that note, whereas a 30+ man who smokes can.
    Flag louisagiffardon June 22, 2006   Link

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