May 7, 2018 - Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians - Listening to the Higsons (1985)

My friend Annie introduced me to the live album from Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians called Gotta Let This Hen Out! It's a fantastic album: the audience is enthusiastic, the sound quality is very good, and the band is tremendous. Highlights are Brenda's Iron Sledge, The Face of Death, and Acid Bird.

My favorite track is Listening to the Higsons. As I was researching it, it got me thinking about lyrics. Sometimes a song's meaning is obvious, like Love Me Do. Other times the lyrics are so esoteric that your brain may explode if you think too much about them (like most songs by Yes). Some lyrics are by Bob Dylan. Some lyrics are in a language you do not speak, but you like how the words sound. And finally, sometimes you have your own interpretation of a song and although you hope you're right, you could very well be wrong. For me, this is one of those songs.

Let's take a closer look at what I hear and understand compared with the true meaning:

1) I've always heard the first line as There's a varied problem. The actual line is Lucifer in Frognal.
Huh? What the heck is Lucifer in Frognal? Frognal is an area of Hampstead, North West London. There is also a Frognal House. I do not know which one Robyn means, or why Lucifer is there, I am just shocked that there is actually no varied problem. This misheard lyric sets me up for the rest of the tune.

2) I therefore thought the "problem" was related to listening to the Higsons. Perhaps they are some neighbors that make a lot of noise, singing loudly and carrying on at all hours. As it turns out, the Higsons is the name of an actual band. Robyn was just listening to one of their songs on the radio, at home, or on the road.

3) One night in November, and I thought I heard them singing. There they are, at it again next door. I should call Scotland Yard and report them.

4) The next line I hear is so I gotta let this hen out. When the Higsons start singing, Robyn's natural reaction is to let a hen out...he owns a hen, and the hen is like a spy that goes to investigate. The actual line is said "I gotta let this hen out." The Higsons band have a song called Got to Let this Heat Out, but Robyn misheard the words to include a hen.

5) I have to face it, I have no clue. The song continues on, stating that the Higsons come from Norwich. The band actually does, but I thought that's where these nieghbors were originally from before they moved next door to Robyn. They eat a lot of porridge simply makes a good rhyme.

6) Next I hear, but I prefer these Grimsteads, being Robyn's other, quieter, neighbors. Makes me think of the Griswolds from Vacation. Actual line is but I prefer East Grinstead. This is a town, located about a three hour drive from Norwich. That's fine, Robyn, you can prefer what you want.

Musically, the whoa-oa-oas are very catchy, as is the chorus of won't you see for me. I was a bit shocked by the truth, but I will continue to enjoy my own impression. See, you start poking around on the internet and this is what you get...the end of your blissful ignorance.