Up the Bracket (song) explained

Up the Bracket
Cover:	Libertines-UpTheBracketSingle.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	The Libertines
Album:	Up the Bracket
Released:	30 September 2002
Genre:	Garage rock
Length:	2:38
Label:	Rough Trade Records
Producer:	Mick Jones
Prev Title:	What a Waster
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Time for Heroes
Next Year:	2003

"Up the Bracket" is a song by the Libertines, released in September 2002. It is their second overall single and their first from the debut album Up the Bracket.

The song alludes to London street crime, and tells the story of a romantic couple who refuse to become informants for a pair of gangsters, the gangsters might be an allusion to the Kray Twins, since the Kray family lived in 178 Vallance Road; and the danger that this decision creates.The title is a slang term used by comedian Tony Hancock for a punch to the throat; while "two crooked fingers" refers to the V-sign.^{[1] [2] [3]} "Joseph bloody in the hole" is a reference to Genesis, chapter 37.

In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Up the Bracket" at number 47 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.^[4]

Track listing

All songs written by Pete Doherty and Carl Barât.

CD 1

1. "Up the Bracket" - 2:41
2. "Boys in the Band" - 3:41
3. "Skag & Bone Man" - 1:46

CD 2

1. "Up the Bracket" - 2:41
2. "The Delaney" - 2:39
3. "Plan A" - 3:22

7"

1. "Up the Bracket" - 2:41
2. "Boys in the Band" - 3:41

References

1. Web site: Wright. Lisa. The Libertines – Every Track. NME. 24 July 2016.
2. News: Stone me! Tony Hancock is Pete Doherty's hero . . 21 December 2005 . 3 March 2016 . Davies . Hugh.
3. Book: Anthony Thornton. Roger Sargent. The Libertines Bound Together: The Story of Peter Doherty and Carl Barat and how they changed British Music. 23 May 2013. Little, Brown Book Group. 978-0-7515-5330-7. 33.
4. Web site: The Greatest Indie Anthems Ever - countdown continues . 2007-05-02 . 2007-05-01 . NME.
5. Web site: Libertines Up The Bracket @ Top40-Charts.com . 2007-10-26 . top40-charts.com.