Lookin' after No 1

Album: The Boomtown Rats (1977)
Charted: 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This paean to rugged individualism was the debut single released by Irish rock band the Boomtown Rats, who were fronted by ex abattoir worker and musical journalist Bob Geldof. It was the first so-called new wave single to be playlisted by the BBC, and the Boomtown Rats subsequently became the first new wave band to be offered an appearance on Top of the Pops. The song reached #2 on the Irish charts and spent nine weeks on the UK charts reaching a peak of #11.
  • In the light of Geldof's subsequent founding of the charity act Band Aid and organizing of Live Aid, it is ironic this song includes the lyric, "I don't want to give to charity."
  • Geldof was asked in an interview with Mojo magazine February 2011, whether the lyric, "I'll take all they can give me/And then I'm gonna ask for more" was meant sincerely or satirically? He replied: "Both! Don't forget I was coming from Ireland, Lookin' After No 1 is very Irish. My ambition was evident - radical in that context. Everyone was around me told me to conform. I was, 'Don't give me love my neighbor. Don't give me peace and love.' Peace and love was the hippy mantra, but to me it sounded like the church and the church was what held you back."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.