Touching tribute to his dad and a universal message. Hug your loved ones; one day they’ll be gone.

Ian Drury was a very unique talent and I've always loved this album

All the best, not all for the best. All the best is Ian sending his best wishes to his Dad.

Dury was a beautiful storyteller, and this is a fine example of his art, weaving mundane and ordinary details into a fabulous illustration of working class English life. The devil, as they say, is in the details - and I appreciate some of these details may be lost to people from outside of the UK. For example, the verse on his chauffering work hides little details about 'dropped aitches' - London accents frequently drop the H from the start of words, so 'here' sounds like 'ear', however, because he was driving the very well-to-do (evidenced by the reference to driving a roller - a rolls royce) he would be making an effort with his speech so as to not sound too 'common', but every now and then he would betray his working class status with a 'Cor blimey' which was a standard cockney expression of surprise (Cor blimey Guv'nor). These are the little strokes of the brush which add real substance to the overall portrait.

that slow funky feel, the bass & Ian's accent & laid-back presentation of the lyrics makes this an awesome tune

The lyrics are very touching in their sincerity and simplicity.

A great song and a very nice review, Ian holds a special place in the English psyche, this album in particular .

Ian was a superb storyteller. Little thumbnail sketches where little details could speak volumes (as you pointed out). It does tickle me that someone from the USA can 'get' what is such a British, specifically North London, idiomatic view on life. It goes to show how good song writing transcends boundaries, if you're prepared to listen. More power to you sir.

Makes me a cry a little on a bad day. I used to visit my dad in hospital when he was ill and used to play it. Used to do me everytime. Thanks for reading the lyrics and your intelligent approach plus understanding the musicians parts pretty well. All the best from London.

Your Ian Dury reactions are far superior to anything non-British out there. Not many North Americans get him. Your recognition of Norman Watt-Roy's superlative contribution is right on the money.

Love Ian he's and a genius with a brilliant band to back him up. Love these videos!

Norman Watt-Roy - Bass Monster!

One of the cleverest, and fun lyric writers.

What a great little track: really good, creative instrumental contributions and movingly direct vocals. The lyrics would read as an excellent poem in their own right: obviously deeply personal and honest, but also paints a very effective and affecting picture of working class life in London of a certain time. No 'mockney' here. This is the real thing.

This is an album you can just go back to and listen to again and again

Baxter Dury is a musician and recording artist in his own right

Like all of Dury's lyrics there's plenty of subtext too, in this case, it says a lot about the British class-system. The descriptions of his father paint a perfect, vivid picture of a working class Londoner "who knew his place (& stuck in it)". Despite this, he had plenty of self-respect as illustrated by his dad never allowing his "betters" to call him by his first name unless he allowed them to & by him exaggerating his accent (by deliberately dropping his aitches) in front of his clients. He did this, mainly to play-out the stereotype his clients expected of him & partly, I suspect, to take the piss out of them at the same time. I think this is easily one of my favorite of Durys songs & the arrangement & playing on the track is masterclass. Never, never make the mistake of judging Dury's songs as 'simple' & never take them at face value. He was a fiercely, intelligent man.

It's a beautiful love song to his father. Hope you don't stop after NB&P, because there's more to discover with Ian.

Great review again and so good to see someone covering material that was not a big in the US.

Great reaction, JP. Can't wait for you to review Plaistow Patricia (from the very start - once my ringtone :0) )

Mis him so much. Another ID masterpiece First saw him with Kilburn and The Highroads Walthamstow art school it was that long ago support band was a trashy Sex Pistols. Ian Dury became reasons to be cheerful.

Superb!!!!! 'Nuff said.....good one JP👍

Top story telling, warm and affectionate, combined with hard-to-resist music that supports and enhances the mood of the narrator.

Beautiful song

Ian dury is the man in the white suit

I like the pace that you’re moving with this album. Sometimes I feel that it takes too long to get through the albums on your channel. (Tea in the Sahara!)

excellent DURY and the BOYS.

It's a beautiful song.

Thanks JP for making me welcome.always love your vlogs.would love to see your reaction to a comedy trio from the UK called the goodies.they had a few top ten hits over here

I don't know why but I thought this song included lines about his dad dying having a heart attack in a car park in his car. I can't believe I made that up. Anyone else know about this? Is it in another of Ian's songs?

Good bus, the 18.

In case you were wondering, "whistle" is classic Cockney rhyming slang: short for "whistle & flute" => suit. EDIT - OK, you looked that one up!

Beam me up biscotti… Here’s to our Dads.

NWR utter bass legend

This is a great cut. Drury and the blockheads were so ahead of their time. Just awesome

i thinkis the best album he made

I think Oysterband must have been listening to this when they came up with "Ashes to Ashes". I don't know what this style is but I enjoy it.

I hope you discover me and wife’s favorite band. Period! The band is called Man Man.

He was was a one off.

Musically "My Old Man" is a mix of reggae, jazz and a funky touch on top. In the end, it can only sound like Ian Dury & the Blockheads !😉

He was as British as British can be -- and as wonderful as British can be too sometimes, when it's not letting itself down. :0)

Maybe you could react to a Dexter Dury LP at some point? Just as talented as his Dad :)

Funky B line!!!!

A great jazz vibe there. Chas Jankel's input is maybe underrated, he was the musical co-writer and arranger for most of the Blockhead tracks. After the blockheads 'Ai no corrida' from his first solo album became a mega hit when covered by Quincy Jones, which was in itself pretty staggering..

He's a fabulous poet. Funny, personal, human. Ian Dury is one of my favourites and the band are amazing.

What? Is that Ian Dury's dad?

I think there’s a lot of Steely Dan about the Blockheads

If you want to know more about Ian Dury, there's a biopic film about him called "Sex and drugs and rock and roll". It's very illuminating and enjoyable. Here's the trailer kzfaq.info/get/bejne/adqFhZp2ztm3nGg.html

It doesn't get much smoother than that. A crackin' track, and one of my all time fave IDaTB songs. All good, but once again Norm knocks it out the park.

One of the great love songs .

Poignant.