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

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?