Home | Songs By Year | Songs from 1980
Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)
Buy Pulling Mussels (from the Shell) now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the song. And once you've experienced the song, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)
| cover = Squeeze pulling mussels cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Squeeze
| album = Argybargy
| B-side = What The Butler Saw
| released = 9 May 1980
| recorded = 1979
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:58
| label = A&M
| writer = Chris Difford, Glenn Tilbrook
| producer = John Wood, Squeeze
| prev_title = If I Didn't Love You
| prev_year = 1980
| next_title = Farfisa Beat
| next_year = 1980
| misc =
}}
"'Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)'" is a song by the band Squeeze. First released on the 1980 album 'Argybargy', it received positive critical reviews, peaked at No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart, and became one of Squeeze's most popular songs. The song is about one of the band members' experiences at a holiday camp.
Background
The song "Pulling Mussels" was written by band members Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook.[https://allmusic.com/song/pulling-mussels-from-the-shell-t3349779 "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 November 2011. 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."[https://books.google.com/books?id=1-pH4i3jXvAC&pg=PA1065&dq=squeeze+%22pulling+mussels%22&hl=en&ei=Xbi9ToCQBajY0QGsyI3tBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22pulling%20mussels%22&f=false 'All Music Guide to Rock'] (2002). Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 1065.
The lyrics are based on Difford's own experiences. Rob Sachs interviewed Difford and wrote that the song "is about a memory he has from his time spent at a British holiday camp in, a budget resort type of place that includes basic accommodations, entertainment, and other facilities."Sachs, Rob (2010). '[https://books.google.com/books?id=2-OhlnqeLacC&pg=PA38&dq=squeeze+%22pulling+mussels%22&hl=en&ei=Xbi9ToCQBajY0QGsyI3tBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22pulling%20mussels%22&f=false What Would Rob Do?]' John Wiley and Sons. pp. 3839. Difford came up with the song title "one fine day writing the words in a New York apartment".
The lines "They do it down on Camber Sands / They do it at Waikiki" refer to a dune system in East Sussex, England, and the Honolulu, Hawaii beach, respectively.Mann, Brent (2005). '[https://books.google.com/books?id=ASTKVQDpbYYC&pg=PA39&dq=squeeze+%22pulling+mussels%22&hl=en&ei=F7S9Tp2MFefu0gGggLnKBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAjge#v=onepage&q=%22pulling%20mussels%22&f=false Blinded by the Lyrics]'. Citadel Press. p. 39. The phrase "pulling mussels" was created by Difford and refers to the use of fingers to stimulate the female sexual organs.Riley, Tim (1999). '[https://books.google.com/books?id=gABXtVvp9tsC&pg=PA210&dq=squeeze+%22pulling+mussels%22&hl=en&ei=QbO9TpPxH8Pe0QHS7onwBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBzgK#v=onepage&q=%22pulling%20mussels%22&f=false Hard Rain]'. Da Capo Press. p. 210.
The song features a piano solo by keyboardist Jools Holland.'[https://books.google.com/books?ei=F7S9Tp2MFefu0gGggLnKBA&ct=result&id=QCM9AQAAIAAJ&dq=squeeze+%22pulling+mussels%22&q=%22pulling+mussels%22#search_anchor Digital Audio and Compact Disc Review]' (1985). WGE Pub. p. 44. This is preceded by a guitar solo from Glenn Tilbrook, who said of this solo, "I think that's an obstinant (sic) solojust to stick on one note for half the solo. Thats my personality all over. ... It's like a series of false starts."
Release
"Pulling Mussels" was the first track on Squeeze's album 'Argybargy', released in February 1980. The 7" single was released in April 1980 with the B-side "What the Butler Saw."
The song has also been included on several of Squeeze's compilation albums, such as 'Singles 45's and Under', 'Greatest Hits', and 'The Big Squeeze The Very Best of Squeeze'. It was re-recorded for the 2010 album 'Spot the Difference'.[https://allmusic.com/album/spot-the-difference-r1834499 "Spot the Difference Squeeze"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 November 2011. A live version was included on 'A Round and a Bout'.
Reception
Critical reception
"Pulling Mussels" received positive reviews from music critics. It has been variously described as "a timeless cult classic", "a brilliant slice of pop genius", "a pop classic of the new wave era", and "a piece of pop mastery".Strong, Martin Charles (2003). '[https://books.google.com/books?id=HJfGtREyuSAC&pg=RA9-PA74&dq=squeeze+%22pulling+mussels%22&hl=en&ei=Xbi9ToCQBajY0QGsyI3tBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22pulling%20mussels%22&f=false The Great Indie Discography]'. Canongate U.S.Ankeny, Jason. [http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/tilbrook_glenn/artist.jhtml "Glenn Tilbrook"]. MTV. Retrieved 11 November 2011.'[https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&pg=PT1006&dq=squeeze+%22pulling+mussels%22&hl=en&ei=QbO9TpPxH8Pe0QHS7onwBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CD8Q6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=%22pulling%20mussels%22&f=false The Rough Guide to Rock]' (2003). Rough Guides. p. 999. In 2007, Anna Borg wrote, "The build up before the chorus always gets me, even 25 years later."Borack, John M. (2007). '[https://books.google.com/books?id=pqtGTJgE4rEC&pg=PA80&dq=squeeze+%22pulling+mussels%22&hl=en&ei=Xbi9ToCQBajY0QGsyI3tBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFcQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=%22pulling%20mussels%22&f=false Shake Some Action]'. PowerPop. p. 81. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as "a vivid portrait of a seaside vacation where Difford's vignettes are made all the more vivid by Tilbrook's bright, invigorating pop."Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. [https://allmusic.com/album/argybargy-r621034/review "Argybargy Squeeze"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 November 2011. 'Cash Box' called it "one of the most refreshing pop tunes to come out in some time." It is regarded as one of Squeeze's catchiest songs.Pareles, Jon. [https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/17/arts/rock-squeeze-at-garden.html "Rock: Squeeze, At Garden"]. 'The New York Times'. 17 November 1987. Retrieved 11 November 2011.Chart performance
The single debuted on the UK chart at No. 52 on 10 May 1980. It stayed on the chart for six weeks, peaking at No. 44 on 24 May.[https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Pulling%20Mussels%20%28From%20The%20Shell%29 "Official Charts Company Squeeze Pulling Mussels"]. OfficialCharts.com. Retrieved 11 November 2011.Though the song did not chart in the United States, it became a hit on the country's college radio stations and in new wave clubs.Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. [https://allmusic.com/artist/squeeze-p5506/biography "Squeeze"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
Live performances
"Pulling Mussels" is a "crowd favourite" at Squeeze concerts,Augusto, Troy J. [https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117902065?refCatId=33 "Squeeze"]. 'Variety'. 1 December 1993. Retrieved 11 November 2011. and as of September, 2020, it is the band's most played song in concert. The band performed the song on 'Saturday Night Live' on 20 November 1982. In 2001, it was the finale of a Glenn Tilbrook show in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.Damas, Jason. [https://www.popmatters.com/music/concerts/t/tilbrook-glenn.html "Glenn Tilbrook"]. 'PopMatters'. 15 November 2001. Retrieved 11 November 2011. Squeeze performed "Pulling Mussels" as their encore on their 2010 tour.Larsen, Peter. [http://soundcheck.ocregister.com/2010/07/29/squeeze-still-a-sharp-blast-from-the-past-in-l-a/31673/ "Squeeze still a sharp blast from the past in L.A."] . ocregister.com. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2011.Perry, Andrew. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopreviews/8078727/Squeeze-Hard-Rock-Cafe-London-review.html "Squeeze, Hard Rock Caf, London, review"]. 'The Daily Telegraph'. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
Track listing
'7-inch vinyl'
# "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)"
# "What The Butler Saw"
Charts
References
Category:Squeeze (band) songs
Category:1980 singles
Category:Songs written by Chris Difford
Category:Songs written by Glenn Tilbrook
Category:1980 songs
Category:A&M Records singles
Category:Jangle pop songs
Buy Pulling Mussels (from the Shell) now from Amazon
<-- Return to songs from 1980