The song “Pulling Mussels” was written by band members Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. According to critic Chris Woodstra, it is an “observation of the British working class” and “offers a series of detailed snapshots of the different walks of life on a seaside holiday in Leysdown on Sea.”
The ly...
[Verse 1]
They do it down on Camber Sands
They do it at Waikiki
Lazing about the beach all day
At night the crickets creepy
Squinting faces at the sky
A Harold Robbins paperback
Surfers drop their boards and dry
And everybody wants a hat
[Chorus]
But behind the chalet
My holiday's complete
And I feel like William Tell
Maid Marian on her tiptoed feet
Pulling mussels from a shell
Pulling mussels from a shell
[Verse 2]
Shrinking in the sea so cold
Topless ladies look away
A he-man in a sudden shower
Shelters from the rain
You wish you had a motor boat
To pose around the harbour bar
And when the sun goes off to bed
You hook it up behind the car
[Chorus]
But behind the chalet
My holiday's complete
And I feel like William Tell
Maid Marian on her tiptoed feet
Pulling mussels from a shell
Pulling mussels from a shell
[Verse 3]
Two fat ladies window shop
Something for the mantelpiece
In for bingo all the nines
A panda for sweet little niece
Coach drivers stand about
Looking at a local map
About the boy, he's gone away
Down to next door's caravan
[Chorus]
But behind the chalet
My holiday's complete
And I feel like William Tell
Maid Marian on her tiptoed feet
Pulling mussels from a shell
Pulling mussels from a shell
But behind the chalet
My holiday's complete
And I feel like William Tell
Maid Marian on her tiptoed feet
Pulling mussels from a shell
Pulling mussels from a shell
Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) was written by Chris Difford & Glenn Tilbrook.