Far too much of what I know of London comes from Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine lyrics. It’s been odd listening to them and flicking over to Twitter to read of riots in the capital. I don’t know where all these places are, absolutely or in relation to each other, and, apart from Croydon, I haven’t been to any of them. So I don’t know how big the riots are and how dangerous they are.
Anyone I know in London- hell, anyone in London- I hope you’re safe.
I walked from my baby’s Brixton flat
Into a riot
I thought of maybe turning back
Till things were quiet
When all the buildings to be burned
Had been burned
And all the cars to overturn
Were overturned
Outside the prison they were screen testing the free
Open auditions for closed circuit T.V.
Your baby brother would be there outside the jail
Throwing bottles as the police sirens wailed
And a love song might not be suitable
But you look beautiful tonight
Death and disaster only make me love you more
The morning after the night that went before
When the brains of Brixton with conflicting points of views
Are outside The Ritzy on the local TV news
A love song might not be suitable
But you look beautiful tonight
And if you feel the same way as I feel
Everything will be alright
I was thinking,
Let’s forget about the car
And do some late night drinking
In a late night drinking bar
It isn’t far, well it’s my local anyway
I know the barman
And there’s a small vocal P.A.
Now the insurance man has left you with the news
That your third party fire and theft would be no use
And I know a love song isn’t suitable or right
But you look beautiful, beautiful tonight
And if you feel the same was as I feel
Everything will be alright
Tonight, Big Brother is watching you
And I am watching too
I will watch over you
Like a thunderbolt out of the blue
Something told me it was true
God created me and you
And God created Brixton too
Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord!
Tonight you can rest assured
The Father, Son, The Holy Ghost and I
Will love you more than most
Tonight
25 years of my life and still
I’m trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination
I realized quickly when I knew I should
That the world was made up of this
Brotherhood of man
For whatever that means
So I cry somethimes when I’m lying in bed
To get it all out what’s in my head
Then I start feeling a little peculiar
So I wake in the morning and I step
Outside I take deep breath
I get real high
Then I scream from the top of my lungs
What’s goin’ on
And I say hey…
And I say hey what’s goin’ on
And I say hey…
I said hey what’s goin’ on
And I try, oh my God do I try
I try all the time
In this institution
And I pray, oh my God do I pray
I pray every single day
For a revolution
So I cry sometimes when I’m lying in my bed
To get it all out what’s in my head
Then I start feeling a little peculiar
So I wake in the morning and I step outside
I take a deep breaththen I get real high
Then I scream from the top of my lungs
What’s goin’ on
And I say hey…
And I say hey what’s goin’ on
And I say hey…
I said hey what’s goin’ on
And I say hey…
And I say hey what’s goin’ on
And I say hey…
I said hey what’s goin’ on
25 years of my life and still
I’m trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination
I feel like I meant something you always say you need more time
Well I’ll stay right here and I’ll wait for good until I find a love worth mine
Someday you’ve got it coming it hurts me when I read the signs
So loud and clear that I’ll make you glad if I’m leaving first and crying
All you good good people listen to me
You’re just about done with the way that you feel
When nothing rings home enough to dig your heels in
You don’t have to leave me to see what I mean
All you good good people listen to me
And all I wanna do is find my name upon the line
Before I have to lose this I want time
All you good good people listen to me
You’re just about done with the way that you feel
Nothing rings home enough to dig your heels in
You don’t have to leave me to see what I mean
Lose all your fears
They are keeping you down
You won’t have to fake it while I’m around
All you good good people listen to me
This was my getting the fuck out of Cardiff song in 2001. On The Good Will Out it’s preceded by an intro of an orchestra tuning up. Almost every time, by the drum rolling start of the song I was accelerating up the bridge over the bay and on my way back to Surrey. Because I’m on a mid ’90s-early 00′s nostalgia trip, listening to songs from the Shine albums, Songbird has thrown this song at me twice this afternoon.
[I would like to say that Cardiff is quite a nice place. It's just that some of the days of work I did there, it was nice to get out again. I was in Cardiff on September 11th 2001. That was an odd journey home.]
I went for another architecture wander this morning, but as well as the buildings I also found a few Morris Minors. No other classic cars today, just three rather nice examples of Sir Alec Issigonis’ second greatest design.
I’d love to have a Minor, though I’d want to make a few minor tweaks- disc brakes, improved suspension and a newer engine. Nothing too silly, I reckon it should be easy to find something that’s both more powerful and more economical than the old block that would come with a vintage Moggy. It’s not like I’d try to emulate Nic Mann’s creation, which was the fastest street legal car in the country for a few years-
And how could I possibly pass up a chance to play this-
I’ve been driving in my car, it’s not quite a jaguar
I bought it in primrose hill from a bloke from brazil
It was made in fifty-nine in a factory by the tyne
It says morris on the door, the g.p.o. owned it before
I drive in it for my job, the governor calls me a slob
But I don’t really care, give me some gas and the open air
It’s a bit old but it’s mine, I mend it in my spare time
Just last week I changed the oil, the rocker valves and the coil
Just last week I changed the oil
Last week it went round the clock, I also had a little knock
I dented somebody’s fender, he learnt not to park on a bender, ha ha ha
I’ve been driving in my car, it don’t look much but I’ve been far
I drive up to muswell hill, I’ve even been to selsey bill
I drove along the a45, I had her up to 58
This copper stopped me the other day, you’re mistaken what could I say
The tyres were a little worn, they were o.k., I could have sworn
I like driving in my car, I’m satisfied I’ve got this far
I like driving in my car, it don’t look much but I’ve been far
I like driving in my car, even with a flat tyre
I like driving in my car, it’s not quite a jaguar
I like driving in my car, I’m satisfied I’ve got this far
MAdness- Driving in my Car (Available, along with a load of others, on Total Madness)
I saw you sitting on the pavement Watching the goose-step of the crowd You were a picture of rebellion A kleptomaniac and proud
Well I should’ve seen it coming from miles away kiss the pavement goodbye and say hello to the ice age
Queen Jane You’ve got everything to fight for Queen Jane You’ve got everything to lose Queen Jane You’ve got everything to live for And there’s a lot more people worse off than you
Well let’s just pretend we’re human beings for a while Chronic Shyness Can drive us to a smile
Queen Jane You’ve got everything to cry for Queen Jane You’ve got everything to win Queen Jane You’ve got everything to die for And there’s a lot more people better off than you
The say your vacant face Helps the tourist trade If they could see you in your leisure time… well
A funny thing happened on the way to here The headlines read like the end was near For Queen Jane
The say your vacant face Helps the tourist trade If they could see you in your leisure time…
Queen Jane You’ve got everything to fight for Queen Jane You’ve got everything to lose Queen Jane You’ve got everything to die for And there’s a lot more people worse off than you
Queen Jane
It wouldn’t happen in another world It couldn’t have happened to a nicer planet It would’ve happened in another world So don’t pretend to care when you don’t care
Ten years asleep In the queue for the late night bus With all of us
Breakfast television Is the biggest decision I’ve made In the last decade
It wouldn’t happen in another world It couldn’t have happened to a nicer planet It would’ve happened in another world So don’t pretend to care when you don’t care
Ten years asleep It’ll be far too late To call 0898
Ten years asleep Every mind is UXB So don’t pretend that…
It wouldn’t happen in another world It couldn’t have happened to a nicer planet It would’ve happened in another world So don’t pretend to care when you don’t care
All the punks are pushing thrity years And are hardly feared All the young dudes Work for all the old brutes In expensive suits
Ten years asleep ’cause your grave is empty But already dug
Ten years of sleeping knees Instead of news So don’t complain that…
It wouldn’t happen in another world It couldn’t have happened to a nicer planet It would’ve happened in another world So don’t pretend to care when you don’t care
Who wants to start a pool on when zombie Oasis will shamble forward for a special reunion. Alan McGee reckons five years. I’ll aim a little lower and say four.
Take the time to make some sense Of what you want to say And cast your words away upon the waves Bring them back with Acquiesce On a ship of hope today And as they fall upon the shore Tell them not to fear no more Say it loud and sing it proud And they…
Will dance if they want to dance Please brother take a chance You know they’re gonna go Which way they wanna go All we know is that we don’t know What is gonna be Please brother let it be Life on the other hand won’t let you understand Why we’re all part of the masterplan
I’m not saying right is wrong It’s up to us to make The best of all things that come our way And all the things that came have past The answer’s in the looking glass There’s four and twenty million doors Down life’s endless corridor Say it loud and sing it proud And they…
Will dance if they want to dance Please brother take a chance You know they’re gonna go Which way they wanna go All we know is that we don’t know What is gonna be Please brother let it be Life on the other hand won’t let you understand Why we’re all part of the masterplan
cease to resist, giving my goodbye drive my car into the ocean you’ll think i’m dead, but i sail away on a wave of mutilation a wave wave
I’ve kissed mermaids, rode the el nino walked the sand with the crustaceans could find my way to mariana on a wave of mutilation, wave of mutilation wave of mutilation wave
Who’s that wanker in your rear view mirror Who’s that tosser in the Carter shirt Who’s that loser in the ford granada Who’s that bleeder with his face in the dirt
Where’s that copper when you need him badly Where’s Homer Simpson where is Bart Where’s your sense of right and justice Where’s my knowledge of the martial arts
Fish Face you’re a fish face you’re a disgrace And am sick and tired sick and tired Fish Face waste of road space off of your face And am sick and tired sick and tired
I’m that bloke with the broken racer I’m that bloke with the fractured arm You’re that bloke with no insurance And I’m that bloke who’s not keeping calm
I don’t suppose you have ever read the highway code You know that you shouldn’t be allowed on the road
(Chorus)
I remember when the bicycle was safe and it was fun The next time I cycle I’m gonna bring a gun!
She would never say where she came from Yesterday don’t matter if it’s gone While the sun is bright Or in the darkest night No one knows She comes and goes
Goodbye, ruby tuesday Who could hang a name on you? When you change with every new day Still I’m gonna miss you…
Don’t question why she needs to be so free She’ll tell you it’s the only way to be She just can’t be chained To a life where nothing’s gained And nothing’s lost At such a cost
There’s no time to lose, I heard her say Catch your dreams before they slip away Dying all the time Lose your dreams And you will lose your mind. Ain’t life unkind?
Goodbye, ruby tuesday Who could hang a name on you? When you change with every new day Still I’m gonna miss you…
It’s like Saint Valentine’s Day at the sugar candy store where the barman lays on the bloodstained floor with all the wines and the cocktails he won’t be serving anymore to the swingers and the roustabouts and the carnivore queen who’s looking for the 3 scrooges who are nowhere to be seen and life’s just a bowl of cherries for the fruit machine THE TAKING OF PECKHAM 1 . . 2 . . 3 . . 1 . . 2 . . 3 . . Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest they robbed him blind, then dumb. and then deaf and they left him there bleeding on the pavement to die and he went to that great high-rise block in the sky And the hands that do the dishes feel as soft as your face then they rob you of your pension and they ransack your place still, you try to forgive like the Babby Jesus did though it’s so hard to be a saint in the flats where you live And you’ll live there forever and the day that you die when you’ll go to that great high-rise block in the sky and you’ll meet the Babby Jesus so you ll know you’re in Heaven and you’ll get back the years that you gave in the taking of Peckham
The Taking of Peckham 123 by Carter USM from 101 Damnations
When I’m out walking I strut my stuff yeah I’m so strung out I’m high as a kite I just might stop to check you out Let me go on like I blister in the sun Let me go on big hands I know you’re the one Body and beats I stain my sheets I don’t even know why My girlfriend she’s at the end she is starting to cry Let me go on like I blister in the sun Let me go on big hands I know you’re the one…
Panic on the streets of London Panic on the streets of Birmingham I wonder to myself Could life ever be sane again ? The Leeds side-streets that you slip down I wonder to myself Hopes may rise on the Grasmere But Honey Pie, you’re not safe here So you run down To the safety of the town But there’s Panic on the streets of Carlisle Dublin, Dundee, Humberside I wonder to myself
Burn down the disco Hang the blessed DJ Because the music that they constantly play IT SAYS NOTHING TO ME ABOUT MY LIFE Hang the blessed DJ Because the music they constantly play
On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down Provincial towns you jog ’round Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ HANG THE DJ
This is the song that donated the title for Sounds of Soldiers. There are too many books that aren’t very good that take their titles from the Bible or works of great literature. I’ve always wanted to write something better than a Tom Clancy (I’d say better than Dan Brown, but that would be aiming low) then take the title from something supposedly low brow like the indie music I love.
The Christmas cards and greetings are arriving
Across the shifty sands to the war
by the time I get to read them she’ll be rising
To a 50/50 chance and nothing more
Through the sleet and drizzle
You can hear the sounds of soldiers
The Kalashnikov and splutter
On a sunny day
From the east of the middle
To the north and south of nowhere
People earn their bread and butter
In some funny ways
CHORUS
Meanwhile…
In the corridors of power
Where the talks are in full swing
If you can’t say it with flowers
Then don’t say anything
Because I want to see my children
Grow up into healthy human beings
I want to see them walking, running
Playing, laughing and singing
CHORUS
I’m just outside the home
of Christmas now
And I’m dying
All across the shifty sands there’s blood and guts
By the time I get to Jesus she’ll still be crying
I guess a 50/50 chance wasn’t good enough
it’s preceded by an intro of an orchestra tuning up. Almost every time, by the drum rolling start of the song I was accelerating up the bridge over the bay and on my way back to Surrey. Because I’m on a mid ’90s-early 00′s nostalgia trip, listening to songs from the Shine albums, Songbird has thrown this song at me twice this afternoon.
)
into Winamp in their honour.
– 
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