Up the Junction
Squeeze
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I never thought it would happen With me and the girl from Clapham Out on the windy common That night I ain't forgotten When she dealt out the rations With some or other passions I said "you are a lady" "Perhaps" she said. "I may be" We moved in to a basement With thoughts of our engagement We stayed in by the telly Although the room was smelly We spent our time just kissing The Railway Arms we're missing But love had got us hooked up And all our time it took up I got a job with Stanley He said I'd come in handy And started me on Monday So I had a bath on Sunday I worked eleven hours And bought the girl some flowers She said she'd seen a doctor And nothing now could stop her I worked all through the winter The weather brass and bitter I put away a tenner Each week to make her better And when the time was ready We had to sell the telly Late evenings by the fire With little kicks inside her This morning at four fifty I took her rather nifty Down to an incubator Where thirty minutes later She gave birth to a daughter Within a year a walker She looked just like her mother If there could be another And now she's two years older Her mother's with a soldier She left me when my drinking Became a proper stinging The devil came and took me From bar to street to bookie No more nights by the telly No more nights nappies smelling Alone here in the kitchen I feel there's something missing I'd beg for some forgiveness But begging's not my business And she won't write a letter Although I always tell her And so it's my assumption I'm really up the junction
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Written by: CHRISTOPHER HENRY DIFFORD, GLENN MARTIN TILBROOK
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
24 facts about this song
Album Information"Up the Junction" is a single track from the album "Cool for Cats" by the band Squeeze, released in 1979.
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Chart SuccessThe song was a huge hit in the UK, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
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Songwriting CreditsThe key band members who wrote the song are Chris Difford, who wrote the lyrics, and Glenn Tilbrook, who composed the music.
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Unique StructureNotably, "Up the Junction" does not have a chorus, which is quite unusual for a pop song.
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Storytelling StyleIt is known for its storytelling style, describing a man's slide into despair after a failed relationship, starting from when he first met his girlfriend.
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Film and Book TitleThe song's name was derived from the title of a book and a 1965 film titled "Up the Junction", which portrayed life in working-class London.
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Television AdaptationParts of the song were used in the three-part BBC series "Up the Junction", which was also inspired by the same book and film.
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Musical StyleThe song demonstrates the band's distinct style, which blends new wave and power pop.
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Remakes"Up the Junction" has been covered by various artists, including the likes of Biffy Clyro and Lily Allen.
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RecognitionIt is considered one of Squeeze's best songs, and it was praised for its narrative songwriting and the catchy melody.
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InfluenceThe song helped to bring more visibility towards Squeeze, influencing a generation of bands to come.
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Live PerformancesSqueeze often finishes their live performances with this song, illustrating its continued popularity.
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Radio PlayDespite its success, "Up the Junction" was initially deemed as unsuitable for radio play due to its references towards pregnancy and drinking.
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Song Genre"Up The Junction" by Squeeze falls under the genre of New wave, Power pop and Post-punk.
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Album InformationThe song is a part of Squeeze's second album "Cool for Cats" released in 1979.
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Lyrics ValueThe song is known for its storytelling lyrics, which depict a tragic tale of a man losing his wife and daughter due to his alcoholism.
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Chart Performance"Up The Junction" garnered a considerable amount of success, hitting number 2 in the UK Singles Chart.
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Notable RecognitionThe song was deemed one of the "500 songs that shaped rock and roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Unusual Song StructureThis song is notable for its lack of repetitive chorus, which is very unusual for popular music.
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Inspiration"Up The Junction" was inspired by a British Kitchen Sink Realism film of the same name from 1965, which reflected many of the song's themes.
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Musical ArrangementThe song features an electric piano and a synthesizer to create a distinctive melodic line.
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SongwriterThe song was written by band members Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, who typically wrote Squeeze's lyrics and music respectively.
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Cultural ImpactSince the release of the song, the phrase "Up the Junction" has been used in the UK to describe a situation that has gotten out of control or in a mess.
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Cover versionsOver time, several artists like The View, Lily Allen and Biffy Clyro have covered "Up the Junction".
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Citation
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"Up the Junction Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/10066491/Squeeze/Up+the+Junction>.
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