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Squeeze — Pulling Mussels
Album: Argybargy
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1774









Released: 1980
Length: 3:55
Plays (last 30 days): 1
They do it down on Camber Sands, they do it at Waikiki
Lazing about the beach all day, at night the crickets creepy
Squinting faces at the sky, a Harold Robbins paperback
Surfers drop their boards and dry, and everybody wants a hack

But behind the chalet, my holiday's complete
And I feel like William Tell
Maid Marian on her tiptoed feet
Pulling mussels from a shell
Pulling mussels from a shell

Shrinking in the sea so cold, topless ladies look away
A he-man in a sudden shower shelters from the rain
You wish you had a motorboat to pose around the harbor bar
And when the sun goes off to bed, you hook it up behind the car

But behind the chalet, my holiday's complete
And I feel like William Tell
Maid Marian on her tiptoed feet
Pulling mussels from a shell
Pulling mussels from a shell

Two fat ladies window shop, something for the mantelpiece
In for bingo, all the nines, a panda for sweet little niece
Coach drivers stand about, looking at a local map
About the boy, he's gone away, down to next door's caravan

But behind the chalet, my holiday's complete
And I feel like William Tell
Maid Marian on her tiptoed feet
Pulling mussels from a shell
Pulling mussels from a shell

But behind the chalet, my holiday's complete
And I feel like William Tell
Maid Marian on her tiptoed feet
Pulling mussels from a shell
Pulling mussels from a shell
Comments (195)add comment
 BlackBetty wrote:

Cockles, mussels.....alive alive oh!


oysters are an aphrodisiac 🦪🦪🦪
If it isn't obvious ...the classic Chris Difford / Glenn Tilbrook masterpiece refers to sex.

The phrase "pulling mussels from a shell" was created by Difford and refers to the use of fingers to stimulate the female sexual organs.
GOOD TUNE!  Thanx RP!   
 thewiseking wrote:

Here's a band which deserved way more admiration and attention. Just outstanding



yes, yes, yes! and one of my favs by them!
 Squirrel wrote:

Anyone else hear a bit of Neil Finn here?



Yes! Neil Finn crossed with Ben Folds.

(I hope you enjoy my reply to your 16 year old message!)
Amazing lyrics to an energetic tune. This is an East Londoner's summer holiday summed up to perfection.  Solid 10 for a great English band. 
Classic British smart pop-rock at its best.
I remember peeing in a urinal in college in late 1970s and reading a comment made by someone that stated: Squeeze is the greatest band since the Beatles. 

My initial thought was: who is Squeeze?   
I always thought it was Maid Marian on her "tittle feet". Thought this was an English expression, duh.
Here's a band which deserved way more admiration and attention. Just outstanding
this song / band = music gold
Cockles, mussels.....alive alive oh!
Squeeze the best nuanced comedic lyricists ever… and someone calls them adolescent?? fucking get a grip mate!
Love this and them! 8!
 xray38 wrote:

Just watched a BBC interview the other day...Squeeze has been around for  49 years !



That's me feeling ancient now then - Thanks for that
 Swigs wrote:

Gosh. I just can’t. No nostalgia here. Embarrassingly adolescent. Sorry



Adolescent and Squeeze do not belong in the same sentence.  How could anyone possibly say that?
Just watched a BBC interview the other day...Squeeze has been around for  49 years !
Gosh. I just can’t. No nostalgia here. Embarrassingly adolescent. Sorry
Good Tune!  ...Jeeze Louise! I just looked at the WIKI and noticed that I am one of the "Past members"!    LOL!!
 sfoster66 wrote:

Okay, look...am I completely daft or is this song about getting lucky behind the shed while on vacation? 



Yup!
Okay, look...am I completely daft or is this song about getting lucky behind the shed while on vacation? 
 nancynancy wrote:
This is a really fun song to play as well as to listen to.
Super fun for the bassist!! 
 maryte wrote:

Saw them last week - fabulous show (with X as the opening act)!

Tried to get tickets but in NH any "name band" sells out fast. I know the show was likely to get cancelled but I would love to have seen them with my BFF - she is a long time fan and it would have been a great bday present before her illness started defining her. Glad to hear this!
PS - raised my rating after reading an 8yr old post about an interview with Difford - laughed out loud at the end. Thank-you BoyWonder, you made my day 
 Silvervanman wrote:

Kids get confused with the older songs because they have melodies in them. Their brains, which have got accustomed to people shouting rhythmically over some sort of funny backing track consisting of 3 notes made by scraping a hair brush down a blackboard, probably, that are in no way musically related except in some parallel universe, and a bunch of other "megastars" who are all trying to sound like Cher on Believe, except without the musical talent or any semblance of a tune, have shrunk the part that processes music to the point where it all sounds the same, as their soundtracks do to us oldies.
 
Tell that all to Billie Eilish. Grandstand much in yer' old age?
One of the very best pop rock albums PERIOD
Somehow now forgotten.
 Silvervanman wrote:

Kids get confused with the older songs because they have melodies in them. Their brains, which have got accustomed to people shouting rhythmically over some sort of funny backing track consisting of 3 notes made by scraping a hair brush down a blackboard, probably, that are in no way musically related except in some parallel universe, and a bunch of other "megastars" who are all trying to sound like Cher on Believe, except without the musical talent or any semblance of a tune, have shrunk the part that processes music to the point where it all sounds the same, as their soundtracks do to us oldies.
 
Thanks grandad (btw I'm 63).
 RKeaton wrote:

This is why people should, under no circumstances, listen to their children's opinions.
 
Kids get confused with the older songs because they have melodies in them. Their brains, which have got accustomed to people shouting rhythmically over some sort of funny backing track consisting of 3 notes made by scraping a hair brush down a blackboard, probably, that are in no way musically related except in some parallel universe, and a bunch of other "megastars" who are all trying to sound like Cher on Believe, except without the musical talent or any semblance of a tune, have shrunk the part that processes music to the point where it all sounds the same, as their soundtracks do to us oldies.
most underrated band of the 80's for sure! difford and tilbrook are quite talented and tho they may not like each other very much, the songs they wrote together are stellar.
Now this is  Quality.
Saw them last week - fabulous show (with X as the opening act)!
This is a really fun song to play as well as to listen to.
Wonderful - I can use the pick-me-up this morning.

Love the bridge in this song. 
{#Rolleyes}
Way back in 1983, Squeeze announced that they were breaking up as a band.  Their final appearance was on Saturday Night Live and this was the final song they were to play as a band.

Thankfully, the boys didn't hold true to their words.  I saw them last summer and they've still got it!
.."pooing musses for michelle"..?!?..
goofy but nostalgic
Just a great, great pop song.

ST: One of your most intriguing titles is "Pulling Mussels from A Shell." 

Difford: That song was influenced really by The Small Faces. I used to adore the way they would write about English situations. Very British picture postcard situations really. I wanted to write about the experience that a lot of working class English people do of going to the seaside and what a day out for them would be. And then taking it a step further by talking of old people, young people, and family people at the seaside. So you'd have a cross-section in each verse, virtually, of how I saw seaside villages. So you have the old people looking round the shops, and then in the chorus you have the young people who are trying to have sex with strangers behind the chalet on the beach.  A lot of working class people in Britain go on holiday in England. That's as far as they ever go, you know. I suppose it's the same here in the States. People only go to the end of their garden for a holiday and they come back and they're satisfied with that, that's their life. I find that really intriguing. I think it's island mentality. I don't like to travel. If I wasn't in a group, I wouldn't go anywhere. It must be something steeped way back in your past, hundreds of years ago. 


10 all day long...
Holy crap. Haven't heard this since Shep was a pup.
Still sounds great after all these years.
Hearing this has brightened my day. Great song back then and today.

Saw them play this on the web-cast from Coachella a couple of weekends ago.  Glenn still sounds great after all these years.


 contractor07 wrote:
stupid song, my kids are begging me to turn it off
 
This is why people should, under no circumstances, listen to their children's opinions.
A great tune from a great band!!!!
A great and timeless song...
stupid song, my kids are begging me to turn it off
Another of my All Time Favorite Songs Ever.
 Bridieboo wrote:
Fantastic song by a fantastic band!!
 
+1!
 Bridieboo wrote:
Fantastic song by a fantastic band!!
 

couldn't agree more !!
Fantastic song by a fantastic band!!
 sirdroseph wrote:
One of my favorite Squeeze tunes. 8
 


Me too.
One of my favorite Squeeze tunes. 8
 bindi wrote:

HA!   since refrigeration, that's a myth - don't perpetuate it.

https://www.salishseafoods.com/pages/myths.html

since over building and pollution, I guess you should never eat them.

  I eat Louisiana oysters year round. The risk is way over stated.


Reminds me of college- when the excitement end of the Spring semester was emerging out of the depression of late February and northern New England. Finding something to be happy about.
 bindi wrote:

HA!   since refrigeration, that's a myth - don't perpetuate it.

https://www.salishseafoods.com/pages/myths.html 
As a contradiction to the myth about “r” months, shellfish containing a paralytic shellfish poison are occasionally found along the Pacific Coast in “r” months. When this occurs, people are warned against gathering and eating these particular shellfish. The California Department of Health places a quarantine on the harvesting of mussels between May1 and October 31; and along the Oregon Coast, people are warned by the news media against gathering and eating the mussels that cling to rocks that rim the beaches. 

from your link. 

 lord_love_rocket wrote:
excellent: The Beatles and the Fin Brothers wrapped up in a package
  


 
peter_james_bond wrote:

Great summation! I hear both too.
 

Yeah, count me in...
One of my favorite singles of all time.  Squeeze makes fairly complicated chord progressions feel like simple pop music.  Their ability to craft a great tune belies the great musicianship that's required to pull it off.
Terrific song.

Brings back lots of great art school memories.
 bindi wrote:

HA!   since refrigeration, that's a myth - don't perpetuate it.

https://www.salishseafoods.com/pages/myths.html

since over building and pollution, I guess you should never eat them.
 
Especially in North Carolina - anything caught in the sound system will be full of toxic run-off and E-coli thanks to our greedy politicians. Don't think refrigeration can help that.
 bindi wrote:

HA!   since refrigeration, that's a myth - don't perpetuate it.

https://www.salishseafoods.com/pages/myths.html

since over building and pollution, I guess you should never eat them.

 
If you want to go to California and eat some wild-caught clams in July, have at it.

 LongGoneDaddy wrote:
only eat shellfish in months that have an "R" in them.
 
HA!   since refrigeration, that's a myth - don't perpetuate it.

https://www.salishseafoods.com/pages/myths.html

since over building and pollution, I guess you should never eat them.

only eat shellfish in months that have an "R" in them.
I hadn't heard this song in years and just a couple days ago I dug out the vinyl copy I have and played it. Holds up really well still. Nice to hear it yet again days later :)
I like it!
Somewhere in here is a clue to why TB had no cash....

 treatment_bound wrote:
Great Song!  It takes me back to a simpler, carefree time (early 1980), when I had no cash, but seemingly no worries, and went to rock shows all the time.  I think I saw Squeeze twice within the next year.  How does it work like that?

Thanks for playing this 29 years later...
 

Yeah —- Love these guys
 lord_love_rocket wrote:
excellent: The Beatles and the Fin Brothers wrapped up in a package
 
Great summation! I hear both too.
Maybe this song isn't the best example, but boy these guys can write a tune, in a McCartney kind of way. I saw them last year at Womad in Britain, and they were doing hit after hit. Great tunes.
like this band not this song!!! {#Puke}to Elvis Costelloish
 fluffybum wrote:

sounds alot like the posies.


Well, 6 or 7 years before The Posies were formed.


{#Bananajam}{#Cheers}{#Bananajam}
Great Song!  It takes me back to a simpler, carefree time (early 1980), when I had no cash, but seemingly no worries, and went to rock shows all the time.  I think I saw Squeeze twice within the next year.  How does it work like that?

Thanks for playing this 29 years later...


sounds alot like the posies.


Hard to argue with such a pop song that is so tuneful.  Reminds me of simpler days long ago with the top down in the summer.
fredriley wrote:
They were pretty highly rated, and as a consequence highly/over played over this side of the Pond. Perhaps if I'd heard their numbers a few hundred less times on FM radio I'd appreciate them more.
They were underplayed here in the U.S., so I think they're about the greatest band that never made it in the U.S... too lyrically clever and tunefully smart for US radio. I'm a big fan of their brilliant little stories contained within songs made in a pretty chord progression then a bridge, then a key change, with harmony throughout and arpeggios at the end. One of my most favorite bands. Bands that have been overplayed here I sometimes had to listen to after they were big to appreciate and enjoy them, after I had to ignore them.
lord_love_rocket wrote:
excellent: The Beatles and the Fin Brothers wrapped up in a package
Hmmm....another Rocket and from Uranus?
I hear an 11-year-old Costello in everything...
The phrase "Maid Marion on her tiptoed feet" used to drive me crazy. I could never figure out what he was singing. Then the Internet came along and I was able to look it up.
RP is lightyears better than anything Clearchannel offers. But this song still sucks.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
I feel like I'm gravitating toward the physicsgenius camp. Because the stuff played on RP is all this listener-submitted tripe, we end up listening to stuff that's no better than what you get on a Clear Channel. No commercials, that's good. But in terms of getting out of the same old box, only marginally better.
If you listen to the LRC, you'll hear a fair amount of this so-called tripe, but also many gems as well. Now, as far the main channel, Bill manages to mix the familiar with the obscure beautifully, IMO. When "Reeling in the Years" or "Pulling Mussels" plays, yes, it may be part of the "same old box." But keep listening and you'll hear many tracks that weren't as worn (or even played very much at all). Does your local Clear Channel station play much Crack the Sky, Guadalcanal Diary, or even Patty Griffin?
Odyzzeuz wrote:
I feel like I'm gravitating toward the physicsgenius camp. Because the stuff played on RP is all this listener-submitted tripe, we end up listening to stuff that's no better than what you get on a Clear Channel. No commercials, that's good. But in terms of getting out of the same old box, only marginally better.
You must have some real fuckin' good Clear Channel wherever you are. Or you're off your meds. That's about the whole list of options. . . .
Odyzzeuz wrote:
...Because the stuff played on RP is all this listener-submitted tripe, we end up listening to stuff that's no better than what you get on a Clear Channel. No commercials, that's good. But in terms of getting out of the same old box, only marginally better.
Hmmm RP only "marginally better" than clear channel... Nothing like a tad bit of overstatement to make a point. Of course the real point made is that you are a fool
Deadwing wrote:
I've only been listening to RP for a couple of weeks now (it was recommended on a Porcupine Tree forum that I am a member of) LOVE RP so far!!! After a mere 14 days I already realize that Physicsgenius is a forum troll extraordinaire- rude, loud, mentally deficient and passive aggressive (all at the same time!) and I just wanted to let him know I will be skipping any post with his name on it in the future. I Don't plan to read a word of anything he posts ever again. I can only encourage others to do the same. Everyone has different things they love about music- it's completely subjective. I don't go and rip people a new one on songs that I don't care for. I refrain from posting- it's called "restraint". I suggest you try and learn it or at the very least learn to express your opinions in a less "gifted but obnoxious 7 year old" way. So go ahead and scream shrill inane babble about me. I won't be reading it.
Yowsa! this is my kinda flame
EssexTex wrote:
Hopefully James Blunt will now fill their D.M's Ha Ha..
I agree. I still want to do the snoopy dance when I hear this song, however. So I give higher ratings.
fredriley wrote:
They were pretty highly rated, and as a consequence highly/over played over this side of the Pond. Perhaps if I'd heard their numbers a few hundred less times on FM radio I'd appreciate them more.
Hopefully James Blunt will now fill their D.M's Ha Ha..
EssexTex wrote:
Squeeze wrote amazing lyrics, massively underrated band.
They were pretty highly rated, and as a consequence highly/over played over this side of the Pond. Perhaps if I'd heard their numbers a few hundred less times on FM radio I'd appreciate them more.
Squirrel wrote:
Anyone else hear a bit of Neil Finn here?
A little, I also hear 80:s college pop and Elvis Costello. In a good way!
Squeeze wrote amazing lyrics, massively underrated band.
I've only been listening to RP for a couple of weeks now (it was recommended on a Porcupine Tree forum that I am a member of) LOVE RP so far!!! After a mere 14 days I already realize that Physicsgenius is a forum troll extraordinaire- rude, loud, mentally deficient and passive aggressive (all at the same time!) and I just wanted to let him know I will be skipping any post with his name on it in the future. I Don't plan to read a word of anything he posts ever again. I can only encourage others to do the same. Everyone has different things they love about music- it's completely subjective. I don't go and rip people a new one on songs that I don't care for. I refrain from posting- it's called "restraint". I suggest you try and learn it or at the very least learn to express your opinions in a less "gifted but obnoxious 7 year old" way. So go ahead and scream shrill inane babble about me. I won't be reading it.
i will take second rate finness any day. :)
Odyzzeuz wrote:
I feel like I'm gravitating toward the physicsgenius camp. Because the stuff played on RP is all this listener-submitted tripe, we end up listening to stuff that's no better than what you get on a Clear Channel. No commercials, that's good. But in terms of getting out of the same old box, only marginally better.
Go stay in that camp..
This isn't They Might Be Giants??? Well, color me surprised.
kcar wrote:
I was under the impression that Bill and Rebecca don't accept very many listener submissions. This Squeeze song does get overplayed just about everywhere. But they were a great band at their peak and about as clever as 80s pop got.
Overplayed depends on your geographic location and the stations you had... It's quite refreshing to hear it (even at this hour on the east coast). Rock out!
Odyzzeuz wrote:
I feel like I'm gravitating toward the physicsgenius camp. Because the stuff played on RP is all this listener-submitted tripe, we end up listening to stuff that's no better than what you get on a Clear Channel. No commercials, that's good. But in terms of getting out of the same old box, only marginally better.
I was under the impression that Bill and Rebecca don't accept very many listener submissions. This Squeeze song does get overplayed just about everywhere. But they were a great band at their peak and about as clever as 80s pop got.
Man,this one takes me back!
excellent: The Beatles and the Fin Brothers wrapped up in a package
I feel like I'm gravitating toward the physicsgenius camp. Because the stuff played on RP is all this listener-submitted tripe, we end up listening to stuff that's no better than what you get on a Clear Channel. No commercials, that's good. But in terms of getting out of the same old box, only marginally better.
Love the piano break!
whooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
THANK YOU! to jfrank for the lyrics!!! Even better now! 9.
my ears are bleeding.
Laurelia wrote:
I've got Someone Else's Bell on the review channel right now and am planning to try Woman's World too.
Recently sorried after a two month run on the review channel: Squeeze - Someone Else's Bell sorry 35/14 (71%)
MrsAustin wrote:
Such a strange and wonderful song... could someone provide the lyrics please?
Saw Squeeze in concert twice - even better live Here are the lyrics:
They do it down on camber sands They do it at Waikiki Lazing about the beach all day, At night the crickets creepy Squinting faces at the sky A Harold Robbins paperback Surfers drop their boards and dry And everybody wants a hat (Chorus) But behind the Chalet My holiday's complete And I feel like William Tell Maid Marian on her tiptoed feet Pulling mussels from a shell Shrinking in the sea so cold Topless ladies look away A he-man in a sudden shower Shelters from the rain You wish you had a motor boat To pose around the harbour bar And when the sun goes off to bed You hook it up behind the car (Chorus) Two fat ladies window shop Something for the mantelpiece In for bingo all the nines A panda for sweet little niece The coach drivers stand about Looking at a local map About the boy he's gone away Down to next door's caravan (Chorus)
lkbooth71 wrote:
His brother, Chris Penn, died in January at the age of 41. He was an actor (like their other brother Sean), but a little lower profile. He did a fine job in Reservoir Dogs and Footloose.
and "Short Cuts"
i always thought it sounded like "pulling mussels for michelle."
Such a strange and wonderful song... could someone provide the lyrics please?
Anyone else hear a bit of Neil Finn here?
now that is an excellent pop song, and an excellent album.
Akaiila wrote:
And this is why we love RP - random, surprising, and smile-provoking. Excellent!
Well put!
Squeeze in RP! Gracias!
coloradojohn wrote:
Can we have a little more SQUEEZE, please? Hourglass, Striking Matches, Footprints, Woman's World, If I Didn't Love You, Heartbreaking World, Take Me, I'm Yours, and perhaps their best jammer many would be surprised to know is Squeeze: Wild Sewerage Rickles Brazil --unbelievably raging instrumental guitar work! any or all of these would be nice to hear on RP...
I've got Someone Else's Bell on the review channel right now and am planning to try Woman's World too.
So what if it ain't deep- it's a fun afternoon listen...
coloradojohn wrote:
Can we have a little more SQUEEZE, please? Hourglass, Striking Matches, Footprints, Woman's World, If I Didn't Love You, Heartbreaking World, Take Me, I'm Yours, and perhaps their best jammer many would be surprised to know is Squeeze: Wild Sewerage Rickles Brazil --unbelievably raging instrumental guitar work! any or all of these would be nice to hear on RP...
What he said! SQUEEZE rules. Just had this on in the car...
steeler wrote:
Hey! S'sup? How about that Big Ben eh? Go Nats...
Yea college!
Argybargy is arguably one of the best Squeeze releases, better even than Cool for Cats. Pulling Mussels is probably the best cut. Thanks Bill!