Nouvelle Vague – Making Plans for Nigel

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Making Plans For Nigel
(feat. Camille)
(XTC)

We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand

And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work

We're only making plans for Nigel
He has his future in a british steel
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed

And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work

Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak
And loves to be spoken to
Nigel is happy in his work
Nigel is happy in his work

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Lyrics submitted by AzWeThinkIam

Track duration: 03:32

"Making Plans for Nigel" as written by Colin Moulding

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

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Making Plans for Nigel song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • 0
    Song Meaning:There is no convoluted metaphor behind these lyrics - when xtc released this in 1979 they captured the general discontent in Britain at the time, referencing the dying steel industry ('He has his future in a british steel', in other words he has no future).

    American emo hippies need to shut up and stop over analyzing song lyrics.
    Flag Captaingatsoon April 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This was originally by XTC and later covered by Primus, Robbie Williams, and Nouvelle Vague.

    I got more of a sense that the ones making plans for Nigel is the government.
    Flag kmk_natashaon May 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This really *is* a fantastic song. I almost can't believe the 2nd comment to be posted is almost exactly 2 years after the first!

    Agree with flutterbi. Sounds like his parents are taking his future into their own hands because they "only want what's best for him".

    Perhaps Nigel "not being outspoken" is what leads them to believe he is happy with their plans.
    Flag diana_xon May 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:No-one's commented.... hmm.

    Seems fairly straightforward to me...

    Parent/child relationship... poor Nigel.

    I think Mummy just wants him to have a good life, and she's just writing out his whole life for him so it's all good and perfect, so that all he can do is shuffle along this destined path, laid out my Mummy Dearest.

    I reckon that he just wants to make Mummy happy, after all... "young Nigel says he’s happy"

    I think all kids feel like Nigel once in a while. Rocking song!
    Flag flutterbi333on May 30, 2006   Link

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