City Hobgoblins
Fall · Other Songs - Fall
Talk talk
You think it's the pipes
But who turns out the lights?
Our city hobgoblins
[Aboleroy] is a home hobgoblin
And at nights all ready
Our city hobgoblins
[Here] past my home at night
They are not alright
Ten times my age
One-tenth my height
Our city hobgoblins
Goes up the old night mill
Ah but evil
[Abbey grange for old pre-glaze]
Pretentious [pretends to] say
Our city hobgoblins
They'll get yer
Said Queen Victoria
It's a large black slug in Piccadilly, Manchester
Our city hobgoblins
And they say
We cannot walk the floor at night in peace
At night in peace
City Hobgoblins
City Hobgoblins stands as a quintessential example of The Fall's idiosyncratic approach to post-punk. Mark E. Smith's distinctive vocal delivery and the band's relentless, driving rhythm section define the track's energetic atmosphere. The song captures the group's signature blend of industrial noise and lyrical abstraction, reflecting their ability to transform mundane urban observations into compelling musical narratives. As part of their extensive discography, the recording highlights the band's commitment to experimentation and their refusal to conform to conventional pop structures. It remains a vital piece of their catalogue, showcasing the raw intensity and creative unpredictability that have sustained their influence across decades of alternative music.