He wrote songs for other people with equal success, including "Carrie" and "Wired for Sound" for Sir Cliff Richard and "Silent Running" and "The Living Years" for Mike And The Mechanics.
In addition to his successful pop career, Robertson also wrote music for television and screen, including the theme to Saturday Superstore (1982), the soundtrack for Heavenly Pursuits (1985) and songs for The Pirate Movie (1982).
Singles:
Moira's Hand (1973 - as Brian Alexander Robertson)
All the Thin Men (1976 - as Alexander Robertson)
Goosebumps (1979)
Bang Bang (1979 - #2, UK Charts)
Knocked it Off (1979 - #8, UK Charts)
Kool in the Kaftan (1980 - #17, UK Charts)
To Be or Not to Be (1980 - #9, UK Charts)
Flight 19 (1980)
Sucker for Your Love (1981)
Hold Me (1981 - duet with Maggie Bell - #11, UK Charts)
We Have a Dream (1982 - as Scottish World Cup Squad - #5, UK Charts)
Ready or Not (1983)
Dot Dot Dot (1983)
Time (1984 - duet with Frida - #45, UK Charts)
Albums:
Wringing Applause (1973 - as Brian Alexander Robertson)
Shadow of a Thin Man (1976 - as Alexander Robertson)
Initial Success (1980 - #32, UK Album Charts)
Bully for You (1981 - #61, UK Album Charts)
R&BA (1983)
The Platinum Collection (2005)
BA's official website is at www.barobertson.com
Man or a Mouse?
B.A. Robertson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a man I'm sorry to say
That's what makes me weak
That’s what makes me doubt what I speak
Makes me doubt who I am
Am I a man?
The mouse beats me with ease
Though tiny and meek
He does not doubt what he squeaks
He doesn't doubt what he is
He is a mouse
And he's far more a mouse than I am a man
So, to all you manly men I say
You may ham it up all you can
But you'll never be as much of a man
As a mouse is a mouse
No, you'll never be as much of a man
As a mouse is a mouse
In B.A. Robertson's song "Man or a Mouse," the artist reflects on his own identity and masculinity, questioning whether he is truly a man or a more inferior creature, a mouse. He admits that being a man sometimes makes him weak and doubtful of himself, indicating that society's ideas of what a man should be can be limiting and harmful. In contrast, the mouse, although small and meek, is confident in its own identity and purpose. The artist concludes that the mouse is more of a mouse than he is a man, suggesting that perhaps we should look to nature and simplicity for true strength and self-assurance.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I a man or am I a mouse?
Uncertainty surrounds my identity, whether I possess the qualities of a human or a timid rodent
I'm a man I'm sorry to say
Unfortunately, I lack the simplicity and confidence of a mouse, and am instead categorized as a human male
That's what makes me weak
The burden of complex thought and emotions renders me feeble in comparison to the mouse's simple existence
That’s what makes me doubt what I speak
My internal conflict regarding my identity oftentimes results in me questioning the validity of my words and actions
Makes me doubt who I am
The paradoxical nature of my existence causes me to frequently question my true identity
Am I a man?
This question lingers with me, as I am constantly comparing myself to the mouse and questioning my place in the world
The mouse beats me with ease
In terms of living their respective existences, the mouse is far superior to me and my struggles as a human
At being just what he is
The mouse is able to flawlessly live up to its identity as a small and meek creature
Though tiny and meek
Despite its small stature, the mouse is strong in its simplicity and unyielding in its nature
He does not doubt what he squeaks
The mouse is always confident in its actions and vocalizations, never questioning its purpose or abilities
He doesn't doubt what he is
The mouse never wavers in its identity and never questions its place in the world
He is a mouse
The mouse's identity is simple, yet unshakable, always remaining unwavering in its existence
And he's far more a mouse than I am a man
The mouse's identity and simple existence is far more pronounced than my own place in the world as a human, making it superior in comparison
So, to all you manly men I say
To those who are confident in their masculinity and identity as men, listen closely
You may ham it up all you can
Although you may try your hardest to act manly and exude confidence, it will never be enough
But you'll never be as much of a man
The mouse's confidence in its identity makes it a superior 'man' compared to those who struggle with their own identity
As a mouse is a mouse
The mouse's unwavering identity is a standard that humans can never hope to attain
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@WilliamKenny
Had the pleasure of having B.A. as a guest on "Nightside" on American Forces Radio far too many years ago to recall.
His album, Initial Success, was, and remains, brilliant and he was a delightful conversation partner.
@Meanmanmartin2007
Can't believe nobody has commented on this. Thanks ever so much for uploading this to Youtube. This album was a favourite of mine a few years ago and this was probably one of my favourite songs on there.