Brass in Pocket

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Going to see The Pretenders tonight at the Chichester Beer Festival (Chrissis Hynde and a pint of Old Thump - marvellous). I don't want to commit some awful faus-pas so what does Brass in Pocket actually mean ?

Also it is a while since I have been to a concert - (younger readers turn away now) does moving from foot to foot not spilling your beer still count as dancing ?

 

[Icy Gull]

what does Brass in Pocket actually mean ?

?

Your son doesn't appear to know either

 

[Lush]

Saw this on TOTP 2 the other night and realised that I didn't actually know the words. "Been driving - detour leaning?"

Anyway here they are if it helps...

Pretenders - Brass In Pocket lyrics

GOT BRASS IN POCKET
GOT BOTTLE I'M GONNA USE IT
INTENTION I FEEL INVENTIVE
GONNA MAKE YOU, MAKE YOU, MAKE YOU NOTICE
GOT MOTION RESTRAINED EMOTION
BEEN DRIVING DETROIT LEANING
NO REASON JUST SEEMS SO PLEASING
GONNA MAKE YOU, MAKE YOU, MAKE YOU NOTICE
(CHORUS)
GONNA USE MY ARMS
GONNA USE MY LEGS
GONNA USE MY STYLE
GONNA USE MY SIDESTEP
GONNA USE MY FINGERS
GONNA USE MY, MY, MY IMAGINATION
'CAUSE I GONNA MAKE YOU SEE
THERE'S NOBODY ELSE HERE
NO ONE LIKE ME
I'M SPECIAL SO SPECIAL
I GOTTA HAVE SOME OF YOUR ATTENTION GIVE IT TO ME
GOT RHYTHM I CAN'T MISS A BEAT
GOT NEW SKANK IT'S SO REET
GOT SOMETHING I'M WINKING AT YOU
GONNA MAKE YOU, MAKE YOU, MAKE YOU NOTICE
(CHORUS)
'CAUSE I GONNA MAKE YOU SEE
THERE'S NOBODY ELSE HERE
NO ONE LIKE ME
I'M SPECIAL, SO SPECIAL
I GOTTA HAVE SOME OF YOUR ATTENTION
GIVE IT TO ME
'CAUSE I GONNA MAKE YOU SEE
THERE'S NOBODY ELSE HERE
NO ONE LIKE ME
I'M SPECIAL, SO SPECIAL
I GOTTA HAVE SOME OF YOUR ATTENTION
GIVE IT TO ME

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Well I must say I am flattered Lush.

 

[Lush]

Lol - and top post DKM

 

[Brovion]

Wise words Lush. DKM, I think 'Brass in pocket' means to have some money about your person. Mind you having read the words I'm not so sure.

 

[Lush]

Good post Brovian.

Found this on a US website...

Brass In Pocket (Pretenders) C. Hynde/J. Honeyman-Scott
Their "signature song" (for the first batch of fans). Brass was on the charts for 17 weeks and reached #1. The US release of the single was called "Brass In Pocket (I'm Special)".
___The mysterious lyrics to Brass have baffled listeners for nearly two decades. What is "reet"? And what might a "new skank" be? "Got bottle - I'm gonna use it..."? It's not as mind-boggling as one might think. Skank is to move one's body rhythmically from side to side, moving the arms along with the rest of the body. "Reet" means righteous. So what's she talking about? She's got herself a new way of movin' and groovin' and it's hip. As for the not-so-listener-friendly "got bottle...", that is British slang meaning "courage or confidence".

 

[JEM]

i always thought it was about sausages (or something akin to sausages, you decide) due to mishearing the line:

GONNA USE MY SIDESTEP
(gonna use my sausage)

I know they don't sound alike but the way she sings them it does.
Listen to the track and you'll see what I mean.

Thanks anyway Lush, for putting right a 23 year old misunderstanding on my part.