Hypocrite

Album: ...As Midnight Approaches (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • With phrases like "Hide Behind Your Bible," this song sounds like a straightforward swipe at religious fanaticism, but in an interview with Songfacts, frontman and lyricist Noel Jones said it was more personal than that, being about "an old boss of mine in the Civil Service. He was a devout Christian and a Toad. He didn't like me being in a rock band, that was far too different. He dropped little problems in my lap that I got blamed for and sacked by angry people who were sure I was incompetent, when all the wrong things had been staged by him. A true hypocrite who would drop [people] in the mire for being a minute late back from lunch, he would be out of the office for a lot longer praying for his miserable soul at Southwark Cathedral. He tried to get a girl sacked for being pregnant out of wedlock! After he got rid of me he tried to [ingratiate] himself with one of my old colleagues who happened to be gay. My old mate sent him packing, the sad, lonely and obviously frustrated little man. God rot him!"
  • Running to 3 minutes 59 seconds, "Hypocrite" which features some blistering axework from lead guitarist Simon Pengilly, was released on the band's own Wild Party label in 1985 as the B-side of "This Poison Fountain." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.