Should've Kept My Eyes Shut

Beautiful South · Choke [1990]

I should've kept my eyes shut

But I had to go and peep

But when you saw what I saw

Well, it's hard just to roll back to sleep



I would've kept my eyes shut

But I thought I heard you scream

And I've a penchant for violence

You don't seem to find in a dream



The scene a little clearer

My father with a rope

And in the cage, centre-stage

It's mother who's destined to choke



And she choke and we choke

On the words that we wish we'd not spoke

Just when you felt you had someone to trust

Out comes the man with the dagger and cloak



I should've read the novels

Believed every word

But the stories they wrote

Were so different to ones that I'd heard



I should've kept my eyes shut

My mouth should've closed

But the mixture of vomit and blood

Just crept up through my nose



It became a little clearer

As soon as I awoke

My father stands with rope in hand

A screaming mother kneels in hope



And she hope and we hope

That the words that she said won't provoke

A smile is removed and a petal is crushed

What once was a laugh has turned into a joke



You should've kept your mouth shut

Should've Kept My Eyes Shut

Released on the 1990 album Choke, "Should've Kept My Eyes Shut" stands as a defining track in the catalog of Beautiful South. The song exemplifies the band's signature blend of punk energy and melodic sensibility, characteristic of their early work in the English new wave and alternative rock scenes. With its driving rhythm and emotive vocal delivery, the recording captures the raw, unpolished aesthetic that became central to their identity during the early 1990s. It remains a staple of their discography, often cited alongside other key releases from the era such as Quench and Gold, reflecting the group's enduring influence on indie music. The track's enduring popularity speaks to its ability to resonate with listeners seeking the authentic sound of that specific musical moment.