Nick Lowe — Cracking Up
Album: Labour of LustAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2771
Length: 2:51
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Cracking up, I'm getting ready to go
Had enough, I can't take any more
No pills that I can take
This is too real and there ain't no escape
It scare the daylights
It make a nightmare
I'm tense and I'm nervous
Everybody all around me
Shakin' hands and sayin' howdie
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up, Like a worn out shoe
Ain't wet, but the world leakin' through
I'd run, but I find no pace
I laugh, but it's wrecking me
Wrecking me
It make a shiver, it make a shake
It make a monster, just like an earthquake
Everybody havin' fun
I don't know how they can carry on
'Cause I don't think it's funny no more
At dead of night time, at crack of dawn
It comes upon me without warning
If I were a gunman I would shoot
I'd tear the hair out by the root
I'd make a knife out of a notion
All at sea in an ocean of a emotion
I don't think it's funny no more
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
Had enough, I can't take any more
No pills that I can take
This is too real and there ain't no escape
It scare the daylights
It make a nightmare
I'm tense and I'm nervous
Everybody all around me
Shakin' hands and sayin' howdie
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up, Like a worn out shoe
Ain't wet, but the world leakin' through
I'd run, but I find no pace
I laugh, but it's wrecking me
Wrecking me
It make a shiver, it make a shake
It make a monster, just like an earthquake
Everybody havin' fun
I don't know how they can carry on
'Cause I don't think it's funny no more
At dead of night time, at crack of dawn
It comes upon me without warning
If I were a gunman I would shoot
I'd tear the hair out by the root
I'd make a knife out of a notion
All at sea in an ocean of a emotion
I don't think it's funny no more
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
Cracking up
Comments (146)add comment
Love this song but repeated so often!!
Jacques wrote:
Thank You for the info!
Great song from a vastly underrated artist... as an aside it is to be noted that he produced almost all of Elvis Costello's more recognized albums (earlier albums and some very recent efforts too)... in addition, Elvis Costello, before he was "discovered" was occasionally a roadie for Nick Lowe's earlier group, the UK bar band "Brinsley Schwartz". A little trivia for the Lowe fans... Nick Lowe wrote some amazingly catchy numbers and went largely unnoticed in the US, somewhat better known in Canada though... for reasons I won't get into. Cheers Jacques Radio Paradise: What Radio Could Have Been.
Thank You for the info!
1
thats a really good album of rnr
If he keeps bringing it up constantly, he must think it's funny.
I always assumed this was Cracker.
Great song, Nick!
Great song, Nick!
TimeWaster wrote:
Back when stereo panning was part of the creative mix-down!
Weird to hear the drums and vocals panned hard left and right like this.
Back when stereo panning was part of the creative mix-down!
Does anyone hear the Mark Knofler singing?
Weird to hear the drums and vocals panned hard left and right like this.
This came after Fleetwood Mac's 'Not That Funny'. I don't think it's funny no more. 
This is played a lot. Too much.
Ahhh, I miss this great Singer Songwriter period, around 78-80; Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, Graham Parker ......
Glad to dust this off and hear it as a fun rock anthem and not just one of the songs I played real loud as I drove real fast contemplating divorce.
Along with Tom Petty "Feel A Whole Lot Better (When You're Gone)" .
Yep, he's gone.
Along with Tom Petty "Feel A Whole Lot Better (When You're Gone)" .
Yep, he's gone.
Good tune!
3Chords wrote:
I agree!! That is exactly what I thought when it came on!
Nick really nails the Creedence Clearwater Revival sound, specifically "Run Through the Jungle."
I agree!! That is exactly what I thought when it came on!
Nick really nails the Creedence Clearwater Revival sound, specifically "Run Through the Jungle."
A cross of JJ Cale and Dire Straits?
I do like this song and artist
And kinda applicable to what happened in DC last week too ..
PaganSkier wrote:
Kinda applicable to how we all feel about COVID-19. Remembering all the memes at the onset - I don’t think it’s funny no more.
That cover looks like the opening credits of "The Edison Twins".
Kinda applicable to how we all feel about COVID-19. Remembering all the memes at the onset - I don’t think it’s funny no more.
Mackmoney3000 wrote:
Yes indeed - horrible on headphones with ALL the drums in the left speaker only...
What's up with the weird stereo mix on this song? 
Yes indeed - horrible on headphones with ALL the drums in the left speaker only...
fingerpin wrote:
He's got a few homages to CCR in his songbook.
Run through the jungle.
He's got a few homages to CCR in his songbook.
This song was never funny to begin with
I knew the bride when she use to rock n roll.
Proclivities wrote:
They were on the same label for a while.
They were on the same label for a while.
I like everything by Nick Lowe.
I think it's still funny and deserves 8.
Proclivities wrote:
They were on the same label for a while.
Ah cool, never noticed it.
They were on the same label for a while.
Ah cool, never noticed it.
LowPhreak wrote:
They were on the same label for a while.
Nick reminds me of bands like Ian Dury & The Blockheads. 
They were on the same label for a while.
What's up with the weird stereo mix on this song?
Sam_Chucklestone wrote:
Funny you should say that LowPhreak. I saw him once in the seventies, he was really good. He was on a tour organised by the independent label he was signed to, Stiff Records.
Headlining the bill including other Stiff Records bands was ... Ian Dury and The Blockheads. They really set the place on fire, punk attitude with masterful poetry in street lyrics, and musicians of the highest calibre.
I think the saxophone on this track could have been played by the sax player from The Blockheads, the bands were great friends, and the style stands out as the same player imho. It would be interesting to play this song back to back with an ID&TB track with saxophone on it, they wrote some great music.
It would be a neat way to recreate that relationship and spirit of the age it came from for a few minutes too.
Yep, the sax could have come from the Blockheads sound. Always loved those cats, great music and lyrics. Also a neat idea for Bill to squeeze in some Blockheads on a segue with some Nick tunes.
Those bands were a great microcosm of the bit lesser known, off-beat stuff of the time.
Funny you should say that LowPhreak. I saw him once in the seventies, he was really good. He was on a tour organised by the independent label he was signed to, Stiff Records.
Headlining the bill including other Stiff Records bands was ... Ian Dury and The Blockheads. They really set the place on fire, punk attitude with masterful poetry in street lyrics, and musicians of the highest calibre.
I think the saxophone on this track could have been played by the sax player from The Blockheads, the bands were great friends, and the style stands out as the same player imho. It would be interesting to play this song back to back with an ID&TB track with saxophone on it, they wrote some great music.
It would be a neat way to recreate that relationship and spirit of the age it came from for a few minutes too.
Yep, the sax could have come from the Blockheads sound. Always loved those cats, great music and lyrics. Also a neat idea for Bill to squeeze in some Blockheads on a segue with some Nick tunes.
Those bands were a great microcosm of the bit lesser known, off-beat stuff of the time.
Nick reminds me of bands like Ian Dury & The Blockheads.
Nick at his best!
I remember this the first time round! Coincidentally I am going through some of my photos from then, so the music fits really well.
Tom Petty's cover of this is excellent also.
How nice to hear from Mr. Lowe. Terrific song.
SoundThinker wrote:
Two summers ago I was on house arrest. Nick Lowe was playing a solo acoustic show at the Boulder Theater, a nice, quaint and prefect theater for Uncle Nick. There was no way I was going to miss that and so that was the only time that I broke my house arrest and was able to get away with it!! It would had been worth it either way!
Here’s all the images from the re-released “Jesus of Cool” album!
"Two summers ago I was on house arrest." Ohhhh-kay, I'll bite. What was that all about?
Man, Nick looks a bit slick and shifty in those pics. The kinda guy you'd want to keep your sister away from (but she'd step on your head to get to know him...).
Glad you got to see the show. I will not tell your PO. For a small consideration.
Two summers ago I was on house arrest. Nick Lowe was playing a solo acoustic show at the Boulder Theater, a nice, quaint and prefect theater for Uncle Nick. There was no way I was going to miss that and so that was the only time that I broke my house arrest and was able to get away with it!! It would had been worth it either way!
Here’s all the images from the re-released “Jesus of Cool” album!
"Two summers ago I was on house arrest." Ohhhh-kay, I'll bite. What was that all about?
Man, Nick looks a bit slick and shifty in those pics. The kinda guy you'd want to keep your sister away from (but she'd step on your head to get to know him...).
Glad you got to see the show. I will not tell your PO. For a small consideration.
This tune is as comfortable as an old shoe. :)
some little village would hit the spot....
karljonasson wrote:
Please upload some songs! I would like to hear more from Nick !
Don't hear any of his new stuff on RP, that is a shame - his last 5 albums are all outstanding. Much different than this older material though.
Would put him in the top 5 songwriters ever.
Would put him in the top 5 songwriters ever.
Please upload some songs! I would like to hear more from Nick !
Don't hear any of his new stuff on RP, that is a shame - his last 5 albums are all outstanding. Much different than this older material though.
Would put him in the top 5 songwriters ever.
Would put him in the top 5 songwriters ever.
Oh Suzie Q, baby I love you...Suzie Q...
Wait, wrong song...
Wait, wrong song...
i might get this 'greatest hits" I don't have any of his stuff.
You don't hear much of him on the radio and his stuff is good.
misterbearbaby wrote:
When my brother was born, they threw away the mold. It grew back.
When they made Nick Lowe, they broke the mold. Unfortunately his head was still in it...
When my brother was born, they threw away the mold. It grew back.
misterbearbaby wrote:
i love this!
When they made Nick Lowe, they broke the mold. Unfortunately his head was still in it...
i love this! citybiker wrote:
Back in his heyday with Buzz.
Heard "Shanty" by this guy
today on The Drive...still a great tune.
I used to love it when they played the whole thing before a snarky Buzz Kilman newscast.
"Well there ain't nothin' to do and there's always room for more. Fill it, light it, shut up and close the door."
Brandmeier's show pretty much ran it's course, and was very much "of its time", but I still miss the 6:00 AM news with a comedic spin on it. Hearing him on WGN just doesn't work for me in 2012, and I feel like I'm getting OLDER at an accelerated rate by just checking out 720 AM.
Back in his heyday with Buzz.
Heard "Shanty" by this guy
today on The Drive...still a great tune.
I used to love it when they played the whole thing before a snarky Buzz Kilman newscast.
"Well there ain't nothin' to do and there's always room for more. Fill it, light it, shut up and close the door."
Brandmeier's show pretty much ran it's course, and was very much "of its time", but I still miss the 6:00 AM news with a comedic spin on it. Hearing him on WGN just doesn't work for me in 2012, and I feel like I'm getting OLDER at an accelerated rate by just checking out 720 AM.
When they made Nick Lowe, they broke the mold. Unfortunately his head was still in it...
treatment_bound wrote:
I do. Back in his heyday with Buzz. He's back on the air at WGN, but much tamer. Loved the bad jokes too.
Anybody out there remember this as the theme song from Brandmeier's "crack me up" line back in the 80's on WLUP in Chi.?
I do. Back in his heyday with Buzz. He's back on the air at WGN, but much tamer. Loved the bad jokes too.
Anybody out there remember this as the theme song from Brandmeier's "crack me up" line back in the 80's on WLUP in Chi.?
zipper wrote:
I really don't like Nick Lowe.
I know. ...you just STFU.
I know. ...you just STFU.
:)....snazzy.... 
He is a master.
Nick Lowe and the Noise to Go! Love it. So much of my old vinyl (back at my parent's house) gets played here.
Love Nick. Forgot about Jesus of Cool! I'll have to pull some old 45's
Shades of CCR, but very entertaining
get 'em BASHER!!!
Lot of punks on here today!! Haha!
Thanks, Baby_M - I think you're right. Love this song - love Nick Lowe......
fucking genius. . .
Cynaera wrote:
I think it's "I'd make a knife out of a notion," but otherwise it looks spot-on to me.
Not vouching for these lyrics - I had to search through all manner of misquoted lines and I'm still not sure these are correct... Please feel free to correct the lyrics if they're wrong, but here's what I got:
Cracking up, getting ready to go
Had enough, I can't take any more
No pills that I can take
This is too real and there ain't no escape
Cracking up, getting ready to go
Had enough, I can't take any more
No pills that I can take
This is too real and there ain't no escape
It scares the daylight making nightmares
I'm tense, and I'm nervous
And everybody's all around me
Shaking hands and saying howdy
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
Cracking up like a worn out shoe
I ain't wet but the world leaking through
I'd run but I'd find no place
I'd laugh but it's wrecking me
Make you shiver make you shake
Make a monster just like an earthquake
Everybody's having fun
I don't know how they can carry on
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
The dead of nighttime the crack of dawn
It comes upon me without warning
If I were a gun then I would shoot
I tear the head out by the root
I'd make a knife out of an ocean
All that sea in an ocean of emotion
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
I don't think it's funny no more
I don't think it's funny no more
Whatever lyrics you choose, Nick Lowe did a superlative job of translating real life into rhyming lyrics and a pretty kick-ass sound.
I think it's "I'd make a knife out of a notion," but otherwise it looks spot-on to me.
fingerpin wrote:
Haha, I listened through the whole intro thinking it was Creedence!
Different cool song instead....
Run through the jungle.
Haha, I listened through the whole intro thinking it was Creedence!
Different cool song instead....
Very talented artist, with major history in my general direction....
SoundThinker wrote:
Two summers ago I was on house arrest. Nick Lowe was playing a solo acoustic show at the Boulder Theater, a nice, quaint and prefect theater for Uncle Nick. There was no way I was going to miss that and so that was the only time that I broke my house arrest and was able to get away with it!! It would had been worth it either way!
Here’s all the images from the re-released “Jesus of Cool” album!
Two seconds before the Violent Femmes song was over I told me roommate that the next song would be “Cracking Up”!!! All I could do was start laughing when he freaked out. I’m getting to know this station too well!
Two summers ago I was on house arrest. Nick Lowe was playing a solo acoustic show at the Boulder Theater, a nice, quaint and prefect theater for Uncle Nick. There was no way I was going to miss that and so that was the only time that I broke my house arrest and was able to get away with it!! It would had been worth it either way!
Here’s all the images from the re-released “Jesus of Cool” album!
treatment_bound wrote:
I have this on vinyl. . .
I posted this pic earlier on "Switch Board Susan", but I like it so much I'm sharing it with the "Cracking Up" crowd...
I have this on vinyl. . .
Two seconds before the Violent Femmes song was over I told me roommate that the next song would be “Cracking Up”!!! All I could do was start laughing when he freaked out. I’m getting to know this station too well!
this is a good ole SEXY rock n rolla! i will take one!
Turn it up and listen to the production......what a great song. Kept me laughing during some real crap in my life. I don't think it's funny no more......cue guitar.
Not vouching for these lyrics - I had to search through all manner of misquoted lines and I'm still not sure these are correct... Please feel free to correct the lyrics if they're wrong, but here's what I got:
Cracking up, getting ready to go
Had enough, I can't take any more
No pills that I can take
This is too real and there ain't no escape
Cracking up, getting ready to go
Had enough, I can't take any more
No pills that I can take
This is too real and there ain't no escape
It scares the daylight making nightmares
I'm tense, and I'm nervous
And everybody's all around me
Shaking hands and saying howdy
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
Cracking up like a worn out shoe
I ain't wet but the world leaking through
I'd run but I'd find no place
I'd laugh but it's wrecking me
Make you shiver make you shake
Make a monster just like an earthquake
Everybody's having fun
I don't know how they can carry on
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
The dead of nighttime the crack of dawn
It comes upon me without warning
If I were a gun then I would shoot
I tear the head out by the root
I'd make a knife out of an ocean
All that sea in an ocean of emotion
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more cracking up
I don't think it's funny no more
I don't think it's funny no more
I don't think it's funny no more
Whatever lyrics you choose, Nick Lowe did a superlative job of translating real life into rhyming lyrics and a pretty kick-ass sound.
I never realized how much Mark Knopfler sounds like Nick Lowe
I really love Nick Lowe. This song is just amazing to me. It was another of those songs that the now-defunct Coyote-FM (KOYT) played, and it just made me crank up the radio. To all you naysayers - your opinions have been duly noted. And I still love Nick Lowe. 
And it's all okay.
And it's all okay. I really don't like Nick Lowe.
I know. ...you just STFU.
I know. ...you just STFU.
I posted this pic earlier on "Switch Board Susan", but I like it so much I'm sharing it with the "Cracking Up" crowd...
Run through the jungle.
The dead of nighttime, the crack of dawn
It comes upon me without warning
If I were gun then I would shoot
I tear the head out by the root
very infectious riff
Love it!
NICK IS GREAT! Still!!
I think it rocks atm...but I could get bored with it real easy..a 7.
wrangler wrote:
Isn't it CCR's Green River?
====================
Tom Petty does this on:
...and that's a good version too.
that opening bass riff is from the stones' live with me
Isn't it CCR's Green River?
====================
Tom Petty does this on:
...and that's a good version too.
andrewimft wrote:
Love it. Nick Lowe is such a great musician, producer, songwriter.
AGREED
Love it. Nick Lowe is such a great musician, producer, songwriter.
AGREED
Yeah baby.
A little bit of CCR in the guitar sound but I am going down from 8 to 7.
that opening bass riff is from the stones' live with me
cptbuz wrote:
me eithor....it's a great song
(me either)
me eithor....it's a great song
(me either) phillips wrote:
me eithor....it's a great song
this is a GOOD song? not to me...
me eithor....it's a great song
this is a GOOD song? not to me...
This song found its way onto many "mix" cassettes I used to make back in the day as the saying goes...still love it..
This is like an updated adult version of Mama Told Me Not To Come.
Love it. Nick Lowe is such a great musician, producer, songwriter.
How about "The Beast in Me" from Nick?
Good tune found on The Soprano's soundtrack
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
Can an English accent be accidentally humorous?
Madonna's is.
Moved from a 5 to a 3, sliding like the .dji.
This is originally from an all-time great album, Labour of Lust, which is chock-full of great hooks and lyrics, and which I really must get on CD (got the original vinyl). His new one sounds like it's worth picking up, too.
liser wrote:
Shades of CCR...
Not "shades." Nick makes no secret of having had a little CCR fetish for a while.
Ropes wrote:
Third for Rockpile!
FOURTH!
Third for Rockpile!
liser wrote:
Shades of CCR...
Susie Q.
bokey wrote:
Good to hear some Nick.Play some Rockpile!
Second the Rockpile.
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
Can an English accent be accidentally humorous?
Moast deafinetly, myte!
its been a long time since I have heard this song! 
Krispian wrote:
I LOVE that guitar sound during the solo.
btw, is he singing in a *deliberately* humorous english accent, or is this Nick's *real* accent?
Can an English accent be accidentally humorous?
And which singers do NOT have an accent?
FINALLY I catch some Nick Lowe on RP - Would appreciate more from Labour of Lust !
Would appreciate more from Labour of Lust !Nick Lowe, Violent Femmes, Pixies...the pace has picked up and I am totally digging it. 
Krispian wrote:
I LOVE that guitar sound during the solo.
btw, is he singing in a *deliberately* humorous english accent, or is this Nick's *real* accent?
Since Nick is British, I would imagine that a large portion of the accent is probably genuine.
Good to hear some Nick. Play some Rockpile!
Krispian wrote:
I LOVE that guitar sound during the solo.
btw, is he singing in a *deliberately* humorous english accent, or is this Nick's *real* accent?
It sounds like Dave Edmuns singing backup vocals, and he was most likely playing the lead guitar with Lowe. Lowe is British.
Makes me wanna dance...
Ummm... musically echoes CCR.
oh yeah, bring it on RP! ABFAB Brit Pop sound !
I LOVE that guitar sound during the solo.
btw, is he singing in a *deliberately* humorous english accent, or is this Nick's *real* accent?
liser wrote:
Shades of CCR...
Say,What?
slight running through the jungle riff?
Shades of CCR...
hey man, that's cool! 
rosedraws wrote:
Looks like someone needs to upload some Rockpile too! Great stuff. Gritty and playful.
Yeah!! Rockpile!!
This is so great.
Looks like someone needs to upload some Rockpile too! Great stuff. Gritty and playful.
brings back some memories... Labour of Lust was indeed a fine album.
Nick really nails the Creedence Clearwater Revival sound, specifically "Run Through the Jungle."
My same thought