UK Grim

Album: UK Grim (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This biting dance-punk title track is the first taster of Sleaford Mod's 12th studio album, UK Grim. A state-of-the-nation song, the last one Sleaford Mod's singer Jason Williamson and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Fearn wrote for the record, it paints a bleak picture of post-COVID Britain. Williamson's lyrics are full of anger and frustration as he describes a country struggling with austerity, inequality, and social unrest.
  • In the chorus, Williamson calls out the absurdity of a culture that prizes drab and neat over joyful empathy.

    This is UK Grim
    Keep that desk area tidy
    Put it in the bin


    This is a metaphor for the government's attitude towards the poor and working class who are often seen as disposable and unworthy of support.
  • A politically charged animated video from political collagist Cold War Steve accompanies the song.

    "The last thing we wanted to do was another laddy video of just me and Andrew just bopping our heads," Williamson told NME. "We just thought, 'What about Cold War Steve?' I got in touch with him because I know him a little bit. We did a thing a few years ago with a mini exhibition of my words written on cardboard boxes, ripped up and then put underneath some of his work. We asked him to do the video and he was over the moon – we couldn't believe it."
  • The video features The Mods accompanied by a motley crew of celebrities and politicians against a dystopian background. "It was brilliant," Williamson told Mojo magazine. "Usually, I hate animation in a music video, but I gave him a shout and he was up for it. It matches the song and created a really strong document."
  • Sleaford Mods released UK Grim on March 10, 2023, via Rough Trade Records. Fearn, as usual, handled the production.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

Daniel Lanois

Daniel LanoisSongwriter Interviews

Daniel Lanois on his album Heavy Sun, and the inside stories of songs he produced for U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan.

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.