Sheriff Fatman

Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine

About Sheriff Fatman

"Sheriff Fatman" is a single by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, released in 1989, and featuring on the album 101 Damnations. The track is probably their best-known original composition. The lyrics rail against slum landlords and their intimidatory tactics used against tenants, and include references to Nicholas Van Hoogstraten (referred to as "Nicholas Van Whatsisface") and Peter Rachman, as well as Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie. "Sheriff Fatman" featured on the influential 1990 Madchester compilation album Happy Daze.  


Year:
1995
4:43
137 
#1

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Sherrif Fatman started out is business as a granny farmer
He was infamous for fifteen minutes
And he appeared on Panorama
Then he somehow got on board a Starship Enterprise Allowance Scheme
With a Prince of Wales Award
For pushing Valium and amphetamines

Moving Up on Second Base
With Nicholas Van what's His Face
At six foot six
And 100 Tons
The undisputed King of the Slums
With more alias' than Klaus Barbie
Master Butcher of Leigh on Sea
Just about to take the stage
The one and only - hold the front page

Fatman's got something to sell
To the Capital's homeless
A Crossroad's Motel
For the No Fixed Abodeless
Where you can live life in style
If you sleep in a closet
And if you flash him a smile
He'll take your teeth as deposit

There's bats in the belfrey
The windows are jammed
The toilet's ain't healthy
He don't give a damn
Just chuckles and smiles
Laughs like a madman
A born again Rachman
Here comes Sherrif Fatman

With his Valium, amphetamines
Sicknotes and his phoney prescriptions
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the kitchen
Dead heads and cracked heads
Bunk beds and breakfasts
Wake up you sleepyheads
Check this

Moving up on second base
With Nicholas Van Whatshis face
At six foot six
And 100 tons
The undisputed King of the Slums
With more alias' than Klaus Barbie
The Master Butcher of Leigh on Sea
Just about to take the stage
The only and only hold the front page

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Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine

Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (frequently shortened to Carter USM) are an English indie rock band formed in 1988 by singer Jim "Jim Bob" Morrison and guitarist Les "Fruitbat" Carter. They made their name with a distinctive style of power pop, fusing samples, sequenced basses and drum machines with rock 'n' roll guitars and off-beat wordplay-loaded lyrics. They reached the height of their fame in 1992. Over the following years the band took on new members, topping out as a six-piece, but struggled to regain their earlier popularity. They initially split up in 1998 after releasing seven albums. more »

1 fan

Written by: JAMES NEIL MORRISON, LESLIE GEORGE CARTER

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Writing and Inspiration
"Sheriff Fatman" is one of the debut singles from Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine. It was written by Jim Bob and Fruitbat, the duo making up the band, and was reportedly inspired by a notorious slum landlord from London.
Music Theater Integration
The song’s narrative is influenced by music hall and folk song traditions – telling a story through music, contributing to its distinctive style characteristic of Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine.
Political Commentary
"Sheriff Fatman" is a song containing political commentary, reflecting issues of the late 1980s under the Thatcher government. It targets housing issues, particularly criticizing unscrupulous landlords and the conditions in which some tenants were forced to live.
Chart Performance
Released in 1989, "Sheriff Fatman" initially failed to reach mainstream success. However, after reissue in 1990, it peaked at number 12 in the UK singles chart, becoming the band's first hit.
Album Inclusion
While "Sheriff Fatman" was first released as a single, it is also a track on the band's debut album, "101 Damnations."
Indie Rock Appeal
The song is notable for integrating elements of punk rock and indie pop, making it appealing to underground music scenes and indie rock enthusiasts.
Celebrity Endorsement
Radio DJ Steve Lamacq is known to be a fan of the song, and Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine more broadly, giving the band critical endorsement and wider exposure during their active years.
Live Performances
"Sheriff Fatman" became a staple of the band's live performances, admired for its energy and politically charged lyrics. It was often a crowd favorite during concerts.
Legacy
Although the band broke up in 1997, they have reunited for several gigs over the years. "Sheriff Fatman" is often requested and played during these shows, indicating its continued popularity among the band's fan base.
Contribution to Music
Notwithstanding its initial lack of commercial success, "Sheriff Fatman" has come to be regarded as a classic song of the UK indie and alternative scenes. It underscores Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine's place in music history as an innovative, political, and engaging band.

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