B i o g r a p h y (by Richard Skelly)
Irish singer/songwriter, pianist, guitarist and vocalist Suzanne Rhatigan was raised in Dublin, but moved to London in the early '80s, where she began to do session vocal work for record producers Stock, Aitken & Waterman. After teaching herself piano and beginning to compose her own songs, Rhatigan attracted a manager and a publisher, and continued to try to pin down a record deal through the late '80s; when a friend played her tape for executives at Imago, her career was launched. Rhatigan chose Fred Maher to produce To Hell with Love, her bluesy 1992 debut including guest appearances from the likes of keyboardist Bernie Worrell and singer/songwriter Matthew Sweet, who played bass; however, Imago folded shortly after the album's release, and her career stalled. Four years later, Rhatigan resurfaced with the LP Late Developer
Late developer - 1995 -
Late developer Only joking Happy Traffic Keeping us together Scared Not your girlfriend Disconnected Nonsense Tonight Dick (Instrumental) Hello
Big Stick Can't keep up Julianne Stabbed King Dong Envy of the Gods Requiescat
Non Albums Tracks - Misc -
That song DIY Older
Late developer Late developer I'm a late developer Might as well admit it The sole conspirator 100% committed I'm a crowd pleaser Have a laugh at my expense I'm a cock teaser If it gets me what I want Down don't back down Don't back down Round turn it round Turn it round Or those fuckers Will eat you alive Do you like me, do you like me. Round turn it round turn it round Down turn that down turn back down I'm an exhibitionist Showing in the here and now A real guiterrorist... Round turn it round turn it round Down turn that down turn back down Or those fuckers... Are you like me Are you like me Are you like me Do you like me Only joking Remember I made you eat crab apple And you were sick for a week Then I stuffed your sucky up the chimney 'Till you cried for a week Then I killed your canary with the hair dryer And I kicked you just to see you bruise Purple and blue I was only joking my dear Didn't mean to hurt you all those years Thought that they were really laughter tears I was only joking my dear Oh dear Remember I told every one you went all the way With that fella from Artane And all the blokes shouted 'seven stars' When we were on our way to Mass with Ma Then to make matters worse when you blushed I called you beetrout and tomato head Purple and red I was only joking my dear Didn't mean to hurt you all these years Thought that they were really laughter tears I was only joking my dear Remember I borrowed your favourite jeans Took them in and cut them at the seams So they'd fit me You went ballistic when I called your boyfriend Canker head and made ashtrays from your Bread records Oh well what the hell You got your own back Purple and black I was only joking my dear Didn't mean to hurt you all these years Thought that they were really laughter tears I was only joking my dear I was only joking my dear Didn't mean to hurt you all those years Thought that they were really laughter tears I was only joking my dear Oh dear Happy Starting out a brand new day Got the whole world in my hands I got the whole world in my hands Judging from your sorry face You want to sabotage my plans Won't let you sabotage my plans Why can't you see, I just want to be ha ha happy After all that I've been through All I want to do is Give you some good news Chase away bad blues Do what I have to So you can be happy Crease your brow into a frown You always drag me down I won't let you drag me down Crack your mouth into a smile But you smile without your eyes You won't make it worth my while Why can't you see I just wanna be ha ha happy You think you're being cool But you're just rude So don't be a big fool Lose the bad attitude Do what you have to So you can be Ho hum my old chum Why do you look so glum Now you've got me stumped I wanna have some fun Do you want some, do you, do you Do you, do you want some, do you, Do you want, do you, do you want some What?! Fun You think you're being cool But you're just rude So I shoot for a full moon Catch on a good tune Break in your new shoes Do what I have to So you can be Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.... Traffic Scarlet for the girl Staving off the tummy wolf Rumage through the rubbish for a scrummy little tit bit Can't afford to nit pick Punkapopalyptic Pouting for the punters Putting on her lip sticky Wise cracking assholes widen cracks in your soul Wide enough to drive a whole Lorry load of turkeys home To roost before the roasting traffic jams And tarmacadam pirates Soak up all the slack I can do with out that I can do without it I can do with out all this shit It really is a pain in the ass I can do without that I can do without I can do with out all this It really is a pain in the ass Sickened for the man Minced up in the gristle grinder Splinters in your pasty And an advert for a panty liner Segue to the sarky DJ chat Riding on the fortunes of some other bodies back Sorry for myself Mining for some inspiration Sucked into the engine Purring plunging Carbon poisons puking carcinogenic crap I can do with out that I can do without it I can do with out all this shit It really is a pain in the ass I can do without that I can do without I can do with out all this It really is a pain in the ass Depth charge heart attack Jack knife head on crash Pop star lipstick Metal feathers turkey giblets Blocking every pass Our trusty DJ laughs This one's for you If you're if you're fouled up in the tail back I can do with out that I can do with out that I can do with out that I can do with out that I can do with out that Macho muck savages exposing their back passages I can do with out Free basing freemasons flexing moral muscle I can do with out Keeping us together Filthy news day Filthy weather Filthy thoughts Keeping us together Filthy minds Filthy wishes Filthy sink Filled with filthy dishes While all around you falls apart Keeping us together So I work my fingers to the bone Keeping us together Spinning circles Spinning lines Spinning crows feet Around your eyes Spinning tops Spinning tales Watch your life Spinning down the drain And I go on fighting for the cause Keeping us together And so I'll work my fingers to the bone Keeping us together Reach across, the great divide We'll be together side by side Won't take so long You'll find me there If I could hold my breath another minute, I would, And never want it back Rock the boat Rock the Kasbah Rock my world It's getting harder Take me home Light the candles Lighten my load When it's too hard to handle I'll go on fighting for the cause Keeping us together And I'll work my fingers to the bone Keeping us together Keeping us together
Scared Cast your mind like a net Into a dream fishing sleep From the rolling waves with promises of peace Bearing down on your pillow As you feel the panic creep Want to drown in your eider down And leave the radio on I'm scared I'll be right and left out Scared In the shadows of doubt Scared I'll be lost if I'm found out Lock the door Try to keep the ghosties out When a false hope Drags your spirit cross the bedroom floor And the nightmare draws in all the demons in your head Crush the breath sweat bubblesa and you're gasping for air I'm scared I won't make ends meet Scared I'll be in too deep Scared I'll be out of reach I'm scared I'm sacred Won't know who to trust I'm scared Of the two of us Scared I might make a fuss I'm scared Scared Scared Scared Scared I'm scared I'll be right and left out Scared In the shadows of doubt Scared I'll be lost If I'm found out If I'm found out I'm scared I won't make ends meet I'm scared Staring at defeat Scared I'll be out of reach I'm scared I'm scared Cast your mind like a net into a dream Fishing sleep from the rolling waves With promises of peace Not your girlfriend Now I'm not your girlfriend Not the one to hold you Not the one to hold you up Not the one to hold you down Not the one to wake you Not the one to make you think Not the one to make you quiver Not the one to make you shiver Now I'm not your girlfriend Not yours Not the one who's there Not the one who's there after Not the one in the next chapter Not the one you want Not the one who wanted two Not the one to see you through Not the one who'll see through you Not the one you'll lie to Not the one who'll lie for you Not the one who's lying in your arms Now I'm not your girlfriend Not your girlfriend and that is fine Now I'm not your girlfriend I just hope you realise If I'm not yours You're not mine Now I'm not your girlfriend Not the one you'll keep Not the one to keep you waiting Not the one you're over rating Not the back you'll scratch Not the monkey on your back Not the one you're giving presents Not the one who's past forgiveness Not the one you're tied to Not the one who'll tire you Not the one who's trying just to hard Now I'm not your girlfriend Not your girlfriend and that is fine Now I'm not your girlfriend I just hope you realise If I'm not yours you're not mine I'll be the one who's laughter Rings on past our time I'll be the one who's picture Reminds you of better times Now I'm not your girlfriend Not your girlfriend and that is fine Now I'm not your girlfriend I just hope you realise If I'm not yours you're not mine I'm not yours You're not mine You're not mine You're not mine If I'm not yours If I'm not yours Now I'm not your girlfriend Not your girlfriend and that is fine Now I'm not your girlfriend I just hope you realise If I'm not yours You're not mine You're not mine You're not mine You're not mine You're not mine
Disconnected So much for the boy Who lost control Had it all to live for Had it all to give her So much for the girl Who took it all Now she's overdue Now she'll pay her dues Wanna be disconnected Wanna be disconnected Wanna be disconnected Wanna be disconnected So much for the writing on the wall Said it all So much for the pictures of a past Not meant to last Not built to last Wanna be disconnected Wanna be disconnected Wanna be disconnected Feel like I'm disconnected Cut off, cut out, cut up, cut back Cut off, cut out, cut up, cut back Cut off, cut out, cut up, cut back Wanna be disconnected Wanna be disconnected Wanna be disconnected Feel like I'm disconnected So much for the boy who lost control
Nonsense Looking at the world through the bottom of a glass Smile at the fish face your spirit sinking fast Can't resist another full on pop song Make mine a double I'm getting a groove on Tighten your seat belt we might crash land tonight Oh he said I think you've had enough I said you wouldn't know enough Even if you were You're not making sense You're not making any sense You're making no sense This is all nonsense Best foot forward I fall flat on my back Sip on a slip disk at least you have a laugh Should no better than to put on a pretence Don't mud wrestle with a guilty conscience I'm bulletproof baby you might just take a fall Oh he said you have a lot to learn I said I'd like to burn in hell If you were with me You're not making sense You're not making any sense You're making no sense This is all nonsense Feeling sorry for my self Tidal wave The melancholy stage I won't remember anyway Doo doo doo doo doo... You're not making sense You're not making any sense You're making no sense This is all nonsense You're not making sense You're not making any sense You're making no sense This is all nonsense
Tonight Tonight the moon fills my rain dirty window Washing the night inside from outside A smile of pleasure A world-weary traveller Home at last to the safety and comfort Of four strong walls Two strong arms A place to belong A place to be one Tonight Tomorrow heaving impending disasters Loom in the distance but lumbering closer A final reminder there's no surrender Imminent danger the promise of strangers Can't relax Beurocrap Battles to be won Nothing can be done Tonight the stars Lighting our way As hour on hour Stretches to day And we as one Lock in a lullaby Here tonight Tonight Here tonight
Hello Hello how're you doing I wanted to say You saw me look over Now you're coming my way But still I'm unable To put a name to your face Then the light hits your eyes You're that guy Oh no Hello Is the last word I wanted to hear 'Cause now you're beside me It's all coming clear The party the handcuffs The smart drugs you're weird No escape I just stand in the space Then I'm abhorred As your mouth forms the word Hello
Big Stick
Big Stick Under the cosh again Taking it on the chin and I'm Taking it like a man Not some girly lady Catering to your whim bending over backwards Letting you break me in And your doing it with your big stick I tried to understand you bearing down with your big stick It makes you feel like a man carve another notch in your big stick Just because you can I wish I had a big stick Cos I would run you through I will get revenge on you When I have the power I'm intoxicated You think I'd empathise But I will show no mercy When I beat you back I'll be doing it with my big stick So try to understand me bearing down with my big stick It makes me feel like a man carve another notch on my big stick Just because I can I wish I had a big stick Under the cos again Where I want to be Taking it on the chin You won't break me Doing it with your big stick Cos I will understand you bearing down with your big stick It makes you feel like a man can carve another notch in your big stick Just because you can I will understand... Can't Keep Up I said you're amazing Say again you're amazing Your generosity overwhelming You're overwhelming overwhelming me Some times you give too much Some times you give too much Some times you give too much And I can't keep up I want to make a confession I'm not really complaining But when I see your brain engaging You're disengaging disengaging me Sometimes you think too much Sometimes you think too much Sometimes you think too much And I can't keep up I want you to know I'll meet each punch you throw Blow for blow for blow for blow Some times you know too much Some times you know too much Some times you know too much And I can't keep up Some times you love too much Some times you love too much Some times you love too much And I can't keep up Some times it's all too much Some times it's all too much Some times it's all too much And I can't keep up Julianne Julie likes to embarrass us in restaurants No matter what she gets it's not what she wants Her steak's too rare or it's too well done Now she's looking for a full refund But she doesn't seem to grasp the way to ask There she goes the centre of it all The life and soul of every one's party whether they like it or not Then she blows hot and cold It's not hard to understand Why nobody likes Julianne It's even worse when we're on holiday I mean before she gets off the plane Julie already has a really bad name And she only has herself to blame After all she's been through half the crew There she goes the centre of it all The life and soul of every one's party whether they like it or not Then she blows hot and cold It's not hard to understand Why nobody likes Julianne Stick your neck out you get your face slapped Give as good as you get and you give it all back Julie likes to make amends That's one thing to say in her defence She says it's alright we can go out another night She knows she's fair game That's why we all love to hate Julianne Then she blows hot and cold It's not hard to understand Why nobody likes Julianne Stabbed Was some thing I said Really so bad Such a faux pas as to incur your wrath So thoroughly Some thing I did So deserving of this I'd take it all back if I known you'd react So suddenly One minute the world's at your dancing feet The next you're six feet deep Making food for worms as they twist and turn And devour me I've been stabbed I've been stabbed It feels like I've been stabbed In the back You're driving it home Through flesh into bone You whittle and carve another notch in my heart So easily One flash of your eyes And I'm slashed up inside Like Pedigree Chum when your laser-like tongue Lashes out at me You leave me for dead but you're not finished yet You've only one regret You just ignored at I scratched and clawed In self defence I've been stabbed.... The flowers and cards Amuse me for hours As I hover unknown in my celestial zone Observing you I must say you shine Your grief it's sublime I'm here in a daze a spiritual glaze Of martyrdom The thing I learned is you deserve To take my life Cos I'd rather be dead a victim till the end And I deserve to die I've been stabbed.... King Dong You ring my bell With your ring ding ding dong a ding a ling You wipe my mouth with your smile You make my day when you shoop swoop soup shoop a shimmy shake I want you to be here tonight Come over and tease me tonight You talk a good game But if it's all the same I'd like you to Show me what you can do With your big boop boop a boopy tube You knock me flat When you bend over spank spank a spanky splat You zap me back with your charge You get me set For your big bad extra exorcet Come over and blow me apart I'll take it all like a good girl I'll be so bad for you now You talk a good game But all the same I'd never fuss You want to make love With that rub dub shimmy shimmy Ooh la la You ring my bell with that diing dong ding dong You shake me up with your rub dub dub dub a love a duck Envy of the Gods Will we remember the moment that we met I hope we never forget This feeling Will we remember when we're old and grey Our very first day Together When we touch the world lights up Florescent our iridescent love shines When we kiss the chemistry Confounding all scientific minds Our welded heart a work of art To rival the wonders of the world But when we dance Flat on our backs Our love is the envy of the Gods Will we remember the moment that we met I hope we never forget This feeling... Requiescat In the morning when I wake calling out your name But there's no reply I reach across for your embrace The sparkle in your eye Gone but not forgotten Gone but not forgotten You live on in my heart in my song You live on Every day I trace your steps praying at the end I will find you there Every day now since you went I'm following your scent Still hanging in the air Gone but not forgotten
Non Albums Tracks
That Song
(DIY EP)
Lord knows there's nothing left sacred You've written down our life and our times In a poxy pop song You said it's in the public interest To know your deepest disappointment is me You set it out quite clearly That song Brings me back to a time I'd rather not remember That song Reminds me what a creep you were Now I don't want to hear That song That song That song That song Now every one's singing about my heart break And just to rub it in you sold it all to the tabloids Leaving me no choice Funny how revenge can really eat you And still spawn the sweetest melody Sticky That song Puts me in a place Where I still taste the bitterness That song Reminds me what a fool I've been Now I don't want to sing That song That song That song That song DIY