Billy’s Shirts

Billy’s Shirts is track eight on James’ 1986 debut album Stutter.

This track gave James’ merchandising company its name in 1990 at the height of the JA-M-ES t-shirt boom.

Details

LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs

Shirts on fire, shirts on fire

Billy's dream boat stills as the house alights
Sailors come from miles for a drink and a fight
But the harbour thrills pull back from the light
To the belly of a boat in a hammer shark attack

Holler, holler, holler, holler, holler, holler, holler, holler
Pleasures of the night
Seaman's delight
Holler, holler, holler, holler, holler, holler, holler, holler
Pleasures of the night
What a sight

Oh no, the organ plays by itself
It doesn't need the grinder's help and the monkey
And the monkey, and the monkey stows away to sea
Back to his wife and a nest in the trees

Billy's brother plays bass in a band called Man
He fancies himself as a travelling ham
Strutting and fretting the myth to fame
In a torn T-shirt he'll carve his name

Holler, holler, holler, holler, holler, holler, holler, holler
Pleasures of the night
What a sight

Oh no, the organ plays by itself
It doesn't need the grinder's help and the monkey
And the monkey, and the monkey stows away to sea
Back to his wife and a nest in the trees
Looking for adventure and some mystery
He doesn't need the grinder and he doesn't want me
Stripped off his suit
So let the poor beast be
Oh, let the poor beast be

The man said, "Ho ho wee, this is too hot for me!"
Billy's shirt's on fire in the night
He said, "Ho wee this is too hot to see."
Billy's shirt's on fire in the night