Behind the lyrics – ‘Beady Eye’

I suddenly and unexpectedly found myself single in my mid-forties, after being with my ex-husband for twenty years. It was a major shock and it took me a long time to take it all in.

I was very busy with two children and two jobs but there were odd occasions where I was able to have a night out with friends. These friends were my saviours and I shall be eternally grateful.

I found that some people’s attitude towards me had changed somewhat. I became “available” and I didn’t like it. Unworthy men (some of whom I’d previously considered as friends) started hitting on me. But worse was the attitude of some women. I was suddenly a threat to some women who thought I was going to steal their men. They articulated their feelings, not to me but by talking behind my back and staring. I found this strangely comic because none of these women had men who were remotely worth pinching and I was very happy on my own, thank you very much.

I found that their beady eyes and gestures could totally spoil the mood, hence the opening lyrics “Out with my mates, I’m feeling great as I walk into the room. Then I see the wench and smell the stench of dark impending doom”.

I found it difficult and unfair that I was made to feel uncomfortable at places I’d frequented for years but that became the catalyst I needed to do new things and learn new skills. I still see these people occasionally and they still look and act exactly the same “scanning the room with a face of doom and nursing the same pint. With the same old mates, in the same old state, every Friday night”.

What I also found strangely comic is their portrayed image on social media. I’ve seen these people sit for hours with faces like slapped arses, yet when a camera is present they burst into smiles and group hugs. When the camera goes, so does their enjoyment and it’s back to boring men and pints of cheap lager. “You’re all smiles on Facebook but in real life you’re a trout. Sniffing round the same old men, that’s what you’re all about”.

We hope you enjoy the song and don’t give us the beady eye because, as the chorus says “It seems to me that you have got a slapped arse for a face. Get your beady eyes off me or I’ll put you in your place”.