:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1624899-1318011499.jpeg.jpg)
Half a Boy and Half a Man–Nick Lowe
By Nick Lowe Released 1984; reached #53 on the UK chart.
It’s not too soon for more Nick Lowe in the draft, right? This song is from his 1984 album, ‘Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit’.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Lowe_and_His_Cowboy_Outfit_(album)
The song and video: https://youtu.be/ksOzvYYHW48
George Thorogood did a cover of this song in 1999, and named his album after it.
Choosing this song was a tough choice made from among several Nick Lowe, Brinsley Schwarz and Rockpile songs. Among the others I considered were “Teacher Teacher” and Dave Edmunds’ “Girls Talk”.
This has become my personal tongue-in-cheek election satire theme song, No need to mention names or offices, as the song can apply to the contest of one’s own choosing, be it local contests or the national ones. Wikipedia labels this song as one of Nick’s ‘novelty’ songs. To me it is simply a very fun song, and a fun video. I can play it over and over.
Lyrics
You’d better run, you’d better hide You’d better lock your house and keep the kids inside Here come the 20th century’s latest scam He’s a half a boy and half a man
He ain’t a fool, but he’s a tool Because his left don’t know what his right hand’s doin’ He’d keep a King Kong eating out the palm of his hand He’s a half a boy and half a man
[Chorus] When his fingers do the walking In the middle of the night Well, when his people stalk in Baby, let me tell you Nothing come out right
Best be fleet, upon your feet Else the S.P.G.’s gonna be clearin’ the streets They never made no provision in the original plan for Half a boy and half a man.
slicethelife 
Kind of a good, fun song…not much from Lowe is unworthy! Though have to admit, I do like “Teacher Teacher” and “Girls Talk” a bit better. I think I was one of only two people I knew in 80s who even knew the latter song, let alone had a copy.
Thanks! I came very close to picking Teacher Teacher instead, and another time would have picked Girls Talk. I love them all. They were on my mix tape for running, back in the Sony Walkman days. 🙂
First time hearing this one. Has that zydeco flavor to it. Fun video! It’s the kind of song that makes you want to get up and dance along. Good choice!
Thanks! That’s what I like about it. It’s fun without being to ‘involved’. There’s not much to analyze, it’s just easy to enjoy. 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
Nick The Knife is quite popular on this selection committee. I am a big fan- although I have no plans on selecting anything. If I did it might be something from his At My Age album…. I like this one though. A great band could be made up of Johnny Cash’s ex son-in-laws.
Thanks, and so true about the ex-Cash SILs! I like his At My Age music, too.
Never “too soon” for more Nick. You follow up Hiatt with his buddy Lowe. Off the beaten’ track but it works for me.
Thanks, and glad you like it. I might have put this one off for a later round, but I didn’t have another one ready to go.
All this Lowe, Edmunds, Parker stuff is staple with me. Easy to like.
I love the organ in this song! It’s a lot of fun and how can anyone not like the video? I was waiting while watching…yep Edmunds finally popped up. Love the choice!
The organ really starts it off right, doesn’t it? I didn’t see Edmunds. Where? Some of Rockpile is in it, but I missed him. One or two of Nick’s distinctive guitars are also played by Carlene in some of her videos. It’s cool that they share them. I wonder whose they are. Thanks!
Go to around 25 seconds and hit play…I may be wrong but I think he is the guy in the blue shirt, red/orange guitar, and sunglasses…it looks like him to me but I could be wrong. He is beside the drummer.
I didn’t think that was him, but I could be wrong too. Either way, that guy has a good personality for the song though.
Maybe I was just expecting to see him but his face reminds me of him. I’m going to Google and find out.
I always watch for Dave too. He seems to pop up in most or all of Nick’s videos.
Thats Carrack on the keys in the video but maybe another one of the good guys he played with did the record. CB is Mr Know It All today.
😄
Just keep the information flowing I say. 😀
I have been know to screw things up. So take what I say with a bag of salt.
It’s Martin Belmont… I’ looked and looked… CB is a gypsy today ….. He knows all! cue the theremin lol. I’m going to call yo about a lottery number today.
Im pretty good with useless trivia. I did spend a lot of time with Nick and all his associates. Ive been listening to a lot of Graham Parker and the musicians are pretty much the same.
I spent my last paycheck on lottery tickets. Won $5 plus a free ticket. Winner!
There you go! I guess I was just expecting him to be in it and saw dude with sunglasses and I thought…there is Dave! But nope.
They all did play on each other’s records… That was a pretty cool club.
Last I saw of Carrack he was with Clapton.
Catchy, fun tune. I don’t recall hearing this in 1984. The video is great. I love a well crafted video that enhances a song.
A first listen for me. It’s fun. I guess I wasn’t as familiar with Nick and his music as I thought….
Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
A fun song. Agree with Lisa that the organ gives it a bit of a zydeco feel which is always a good thing. Fun video too. The video for Cruel to Be Kind is also hilarious.
Was not familiar with this song, but it’s a fun one, and the video’s great too.
Never heard this before but I like it – I have Jesus of Cool but not anything else really.