Lookin' after No 1

Album: The Boomtown Rats (1977)
Charted: 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This paean to rugged individualism was the debut single released by Irish rock band the Boomtown Rats, who were fronted by ex abattoir worker and musical journalist Bob Geldof. It was the first so-called new wave single to be playlisted by the BBC, and the Boomtown Rats subsequently became the first new wave band to be offered an appearance on Top of the Pops. The song reached #2 on the Irish charts and spent nine weeks on the UK charts reaching a peak of #11.
  • In the light of Geldof's subsequent founding of the charity act Band Aid and organizing of Live Aid, it is ironic this song includes the lyric, "I don't want to give to charity."
  • Geldof was asked in an interview with Mojo magazine February 2011, whether the lyric, "I'll take all they can give me/And then I'm gonna ask for more" was meant sincerely or satirically? He replied: "Both! Don't forget I was coming from Ireland, Lookin' After No 1 is very Irish. My ambition was evident - radical in that context. Everyone was around me told me to conform. I was, 'Don't give me love my neighbor. Don't give me peace and love.' Peace and love was the hippy mantra, but to me it sounded like the church and the church was what held you back."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.