Ian Dury - What a Waste (The Old Grey Whistle Test, 24/12/1980)

Classic live performance of 'What A Waste', by Ian Dury & The Blockheads. Taken from 'The Old Grey Whistle Test', in 1980 and restored to HD quality Producer: Michael Appleton, Director: Tom Corcoran Ian Dury was a rock and roll vagabond with the wit, humour and intelligence of Noël Coward and Oscar Wilde. His verbal dexterity as an entertainer and a lyric writer gave the world some of its most famous phrases – “sex and drugs and rock and roll” and “reasons to be cheerful.” He was a true Renaissance man – a talented painter, musician and actor – who left behind a body of work that continues to amuse, impress and delight to this day. The band The Blockheads may be best known for their hit singles, recorded with Dury, "What a Waste", "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick", "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3", and "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll". Follow Ian Dury and the Blockheads Facebook:   / ianduryandtheblockheads   Twitter:   / ianduryofficial   Instagram:   / ianduryofficial   Lyrics: I could be the driver in articulated lorry I could be a poet, I wouldn't need to worry I could be the teacher in a classroom full of scholars I could be the sergeant in a squadron full of wallahs What a waste! What a waste! What a waste! What a waste! Because I chose to play the fool in a nine-piece band First-night nerves every one-night stand I should be glad to be so inclined What a waste! What a waste! Rock'n'roll don't mind I could be a lawyer with stratagems and ruses I could be a doctor with poultices and bruises I could be a writer with a growing reputation I could be the ticket-man at Fulham Broadway station What a waste! What a waste! What a waste! What a waste! Because I chose to play the fool in a nine-piece band First-night nerves every one-night stand I should be glad to be so inclined What a waste! What a waste! Rock'n'roll don't mind I could be the catalyst that sparks the revolution I could be an inmate in a long-term institution I could lead to wild extremes, I could do or die I could yawn and be withdrawn and watch them gallop by What a waste! What a waste! What a waste! What a waste! Because I chose to play the fool in a nine-piece band First-night nerves every one-night stand I should be glad to be so inclined What a waste! What a waste! Rock'n'roll don't mind Chose to play the fool in a nine-piece band First-night nerves every one-night stand I should be glad to be so inclined What a waste! What a waste! Rock'n'roll don't mind What a waste! What a waste! Rock'n'roll don't mind Chose to play the fool in a nine-piece band First-night nerves every one-night stand I should be glad to be so inclined What a waste! What a waste! Rock'n'roll don't mind What a waste! What a waste! Rock'n'roll don't mind