World Shut Your Mouth

Album: Saint Julian (1986)
Charted: 19 84
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "World Shut Your Mouth" seems to be about a woman who has broken out of anonymity ("she always used to live so secretly") and found fame only to discover that she wants the world to shut up and leave her alone. If so, the woman is likely a stand-in for Julian Cope himself.

    Cope was dragged (by his own account) into rock stardom while playing with the UK post-punk band The Teardrop Explodes ("Treason (It's Just a Story)"). He had some hits with that band and some as a solo artist, but never liked being famous. Ironically, "World Shut Your Mouth" would go on to become his biggest hit.
  • Cope spoke openly about how much he detested pop stardom and the kinds of people that it brought into his orbit. He despised sellouts and never wanted to be one. Many fans and critics have long held that Cope had one of the best voices of his era and could have been more financially successful than he was. Whether or not that's true, Cope's antagonistic attitude towards fame is well-documented and long-lived.
  • Cope's debut solo album, released after The Teardrop Explodes broke up, was also titled World Shut Your Mouth (1984) but didn't include this song, which was part of his third album, Saint Julian.
  • This was the first single released from Saint Julian. Hitting stores on September 15, 1986, it was the only Cope single to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it reached #84. In his native UK, he had 17 chart hits.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.