Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)

The song "Pulling Mussels" was written by band members Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook.[https://allmusic.com/song/pulling-mussels-from-the-shell-t3349779 "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 November 2011.

The song's chorus was partly inspired by The Tubes, with whom Squeeze had toured throughout 1979.{{Cite web |last=Bosso |first=Joe |date=June 21, 2024 |title="I realized I could just play an E note over and over and it worked on top of all the chords... It was a moment of pure joy": How Amos Garrett and switching away from a Strat helped Glenn Tilbrook write Squeeze's Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/how-glenn-tilbrook-wrote-squeeze-pulling-mussels-from-the-shell |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621154012/https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/how-glenn-tilbrook-wrote-squeeze-pulling-mussels-from-the-shell |archive-date=June 21, 2024 |access-date=August 16, 2024 |website=Guitar Player}} Tilbrook has stated that "The end part of the chorus has an unusual turnaround, and that’s the culmination of hearing White Punks on Dope, which is quite grandiose. The Tubes didn’t play the sort of rock that we would do, but their approach sunk in subconsciously."

The song features a piano solo by keyboardist Jools Holland.[https://books.google.com/books?id=QCM9AQAAIAAJ&q=%22pulling+mussels%22 Digital Audio and Compact Disc Review] (1985). WGE Pub. p. 44. This is preceded by a guitar solo from Glenn Tilbrook, who said of this solo, "I think that's an obstinant (sic) solo—just to stick on one note for half the solo. That’s my personality all over. ... It's like a series of false starts."{{cite web |last=Fanelli |first=Damian |title=Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze Talks Gear, Guitar Solos and Future Plans |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-guitarist-glenn-tilbrook-squeeze-discusses-gear-guitar-solos-influences-and-future-plans |website=Guitar World |access-date=20 October 2020 |date=May 2012}}

The lyrics are based on Difford's own experiences. Rob Sachs interviewed Difford and wrote that the song "is about a memory he has from his time spent at a British holiday camp in, a budget resort type of place that includes basic accommodations, entertainment, and other facilities."Sachs, Rob (2010). [https://books.google.com/books?id=2-OhlnqeLacC&q=%22pulling+mussels%22&pg=PA38 What Would Rob Do?] John Wiley and Sons. pp. 38–39. Difford came up with the song title "one fine day writing the words in a New York apartment".{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Tom |title=Chris Difford on his new memoir, and his memorable songs |url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201802210031 |work=Sandusky Register |access-date=10 November 2019}} According to critic Chris Woodstra, it is an "observation of the British working class" and "offers a series of detailed snapshots of the different walks of life on a seaside holiday in Leysdown-on-Sea."[https://books.google.com/books?id=1-pH4i3jXvAC&q=%22pulling+mussels%22&pg=PA1065 All Music Guide to Rock] (2002). Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 1065.

The lines "They do it down on Camber Sands / They do it at Waikiki" refer to a dune system in East Sussex, England, and the Honolulu, Hawaii beach, respectively.Mann, Brent (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=ASTKVQDpbYYC&q=%22pulling+mussels%22&pg=PA39 Blinded by the Lyrics]. Citadel Press. p. 39. The phrase "pulling mussels" was created by Difford and refers to the use of fingers to stimulate the female sexual organs.{{Disputed section|date=March 2025}}Riley, Tim (1999). [https://books.google.com/books?id=gABXtVvp9tsC&q=%22pulling+mussels%22&pg=PA210 Hard Rain]. Da Capo Press. p. 210.

"Pulling Mussels" was the first track on Squeeze's album Argybargy, released in February 1980. The 7" single was released in April 1980 with the B-side "What the Butler Saw."

The song has also been included on several of Squeeze's compilation albums, such as Singles – 45's and Under, Greatest Hits, and The Big Squeeze – The Very Best of Squeeze. It was re-recorded for the 2010 album Spot the Difference.[https://allmusic.com/album/spot-the-difference-r1834499 "Spot the Difference – Squeeze"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 November 2011. A live version was included on A Round and a Bout.

"Pulling Mussels" received positive reviews from music critics. It has been variously described as "a timeless cult classic", "a brilliant slice of pop genius", "a pop classic of the new wave era", and "a piece of pop mastery".Strong, Martin Charles (2003). [https://books.google.com/books?id=HJfGtREyuSAC&q=%22pulling+mussels%22&pg=RA9-PA74 The Great Indie Discography]. Canongate U.S.Ankeny, Jason. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100108121153/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/tilbrook_glenn/artist.jhtml "Glenn Tilbrook"]. MTV. Retrieved 11 November 2011.[https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&q=%22pulling+mussels%22&pg=PT1006 The Rough Guide to Rock] (2003). Rough Guides. p. 999. In 2007, Anna Borg wrote, "The build up before the chorus always gets me, even 25 years later."Borack, John M. (2007). [https://books.google.com/books?id=pqtGTJgE4rEC&q=%22pulling+mussels%22&pg=PA80 Shake Some Action]. PowerPop. p. 81. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as "a vivid portrait of a seaside vacation where Difford's vignettes are made all the more vivid by Tilbrook's bright, invigorating pop."Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. [https://allmusic.com/album/argybargy-r621034/review "Argybargy – Squeeze"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 November 2011. Cash Box called it "one of the most refreshing pop tunes to come out in some time."{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=June 14, 1980|page=18|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2022-01-01|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1980/CB-1980-06-14.pdf}} Record World called it a "challenging yet totally consumable pop-rock [tune]...with stunning guitar/keyboard breaks."{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=June 21, 1980|accessdate=2023-02-20|title=Single Picks|page=14|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/80/RW-1980-06-21.pdf}} It is regarded as one of Squeeze's catchiest songs.Pareles, Jon. [https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/17/arts/rock-squeeze-at-garden.html "Rock: Squeeze, At Garden"]. The New York Times. 17 November 1987. Retrieved 11 November 2011.

The single debuted on the UK chart at No. 52 on 10 May 1980. It stayed on the chart for six weeks, peaking at No. 44 on 24 May.[https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Pulling%20Mussels%20%28From%20The%20Shell%29 "Official Charts Company – Squeeze – Pulling Mussels"]. OfficialCharts.com. Retrieved 11 November 2011.

Though the song did not chart in the United States, it became a hit on the country's college radio stations and in new wave clubs.Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. [https://allmusic.com/artist/squeeze-p5506/biography "Squeeze"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 November 2011.

"Pulling Mussels" is a "crowd favourite" at Squeeze concerts,Augusto, Troy J. [https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117902065?refCatId=33 "Squeeze"]. Variety. 1 December 1993. Retrieved 11 November 2011. and as of September 2020, it is the band's most played song in concert.{{Cite web|title=Squeeze Tour Statistics|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/squeeze-63d6ba3f.html|access-date=2021-04-04|website=setlist.fm}} The band performed the song on Saturday Night Live on 20 November 1982. In 2001, it was the finale of a Glenn Tilbrook show in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.Damas, Jason. [https://www.popmatters.com/music/concerts/t/tilbrook-glenn.html "Glenn Tilbrook"]. PopMatters. 15 November 2001. Retrieved 11 November 2011. Squeeze performed "Pulling Mussels" as their encore on their 2010 tour.Larsen, Peter. [http://soundcheck.ocregister.com/2010/07/29/squeeze-still-a-sharp-blast-from-the-past-in-l-a/31673/ "Squeeze still a sharp blast from the past in L.A."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918185508/http://soundcheck.ocregister.com/2010/07/29/squeeze-still-a-sharp-blast-from-the-past-in-l-a/31673/ |date=18 September 2011 }}. ocregister.com. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2011.Perry, Andrew. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopreviews/8078727/Squeeze-Hard-Rock-Cafe-London-review.html "Squeeze, Hard Rock Café, London, review"]. The Daily Telegraph. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2011.

7-inch vinyl

1. "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)"
2. "What the Butler Saw"

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{{Squeeze}}

Category:1980 songs

Category:1980 singles

Category:Squeeze (band) songs

Category:Songs written by Chris Difford

Category:Songs written by Glenn Tilbrook

Category:A&M Records singles

Category:Jangle pop songs