Gotta Let This Hen Out!
Robyn Hitchcock · 1985
71 min · 19 tracks · alternative rock
Whimsical yet poignant melodies intertwine with surreal lyrics, creating a distinctive blend of alternative rock and pop sensibilities.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sometimes I Wish I Was a Pretty Girl — This opening track captures Hitchcock's signature blend of humor and introspection, showcasing his ability to tackle themes of identity with playful lyricism.
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Kingdom of Love — A standout for its lush instrumentation and romantic yearning, this song exemplifies Hitchcock's knack for marrying poetic lyrics with catchy melodies.
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My Wife and My Dead Wife — This track explores themes of love and loss with dark humor, highlighting Hitchcock's unique storytelling ability and willingness to confront uncomfortable subjects.
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Acid Bird — With its surreal imagery and complex structure, this song is emblematic of Hitchcock's experimental approach to songwriting during this period.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical storytelling with humor
- varied energy for playful moods
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- surreal imagery sparks imagination
- wave-like pacing invites exploration
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, serious themes
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Gotta Let This Hen Out! was released in 1985 as Robyn Hitchcock's third studio album, following his work with The Soft Boys. At this point, Hitchcock was transitioning from the band's underground success into a solo career, aiming to further establish his unique voice in the alternative rock scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Soft Boys· They Might Be Giants· Squeeze
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sometimes I Wish I Was a Pretty Girl 2:09
- 2 Kingdom of Love 4:11
- 3 Acid Bird 4:46
- 4 The Cars She Used to Drive 2:53
- 5 My Wife and My Dead Wife 4:00
- 6 Brenda’s Iron Sledge 3:06
- 7 The Fly 3:42
- 8 Only the Stones Remain 2:38
- 9 Egyptian Cream 3:32
- 10 Leppo & the Jooves 4:55
- 11 America 4:18
- 12 Heaven 3:53
- 13 Listening to the Higsons 3:07
- 14 The Face of Death 3:26
- 15 If You Were a Priest 2:37
- 16 Freeze 3:56
- 17 I’m Only You 6:25
- 18 Unsettled 3:50
- 19 [untitled] 4:26
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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