I made a post about these guys in April 2023 and gave you all a sample platter of their songs. This one was included but let’s look closer and listen to this song. This band doesn’t mess about…they hit you head-on.
The lyrics were written by the lead vocalist and songwriter of The Godfathers, Peter Coyne. He did a good job of reflecting the emotions and sentiments associated with each stage of life portrayed in the song released in 1988.
Peter and Chris Coyne started the band in 1982 calling it the Side Presley Experience. By 1985 they had removed some members and brought in some more. They also made a name change to The Godfathers.
They wanted to record so they found a producer in Vic Maile who had worked with The Kinks, Who, and Motorhead. They released some singles in the UK and finally after seeing import sales they put together an album made up of singles and B sides plus they did a cover of John Lennon’s Cold Turkey and called it Hit By Hit (#3 in the UK).
Then came the call every band wants…Epic Records signed them to a contract. They released the single Birth, School, Work, Death in 1987. The following year they released an album with the same name. Birth, School, Work, Death peaked at #38 in the US Modern Rock Charts.
Birth, School, Work, Death
Been turned around till I’m upside downBeen all at sea until I’ve drownedAnd I’ve felt torture, I’ve felt painJust like that film with Michael CaineI’ve been abused and I’ve been confusedAnd I’ve kissed Margaret Thatcher’s shoesAnd I been high and I been lowAnd I don’t know where to goBirth, school, work, deathBirth, school, work, deathAnd heroin was the love you gaveFrom the cradle to the graveBoys and girls don’t understandThe devil makes work for idle handsI cut myself but I don’t bleed‘Cause I don’t get what I needDoesn’t matter what I sayTomorrow’s still another dayBirth, school, work, deathBirth, school, work, deathYeah I been high and I been lowAnd I don’t know where to goI’m living on the never never neverThis time it’s gonna be foreverI’ll live and die don’t ask me whyI want to go to paradiseAnd I don’t need your sympathyThere’s nothing in this world for meBirth, school, work, deathBirth, school, work, deathBirth, school, work, deathBirth, school, work, deathBirth, school, work, deathBirth, school, work, death
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The are full steam ahead these guys. I do recall your earlier posts I I may have commented that I was unfamiliar with this band.
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I do remember this song in the 80s…this is the one I remember
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great choice!
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They have a very nice sound, and I enjoyed this song.
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Now you’re talking! A great track that was part of my late-80s soundtrack, I thought it resembled something The Clash might have done.
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I never thought of the Clash but yes….you are correct! It does have that sound to it.
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The Jam too? Love the ‘working on the never never never.'(Hi Dave- sorry, not back till next week!)
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Hope you are doing well obbverse
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This song and album still get me going when I listen to them. It’s rock n roll and I like it. You gotta know they would be good live.
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Great song!
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Great song. I do remember it, which isn’t a given since I listen to so much music that sadly I oftentimes I forget stuff. I think in this case it’s mainly because of the chorus/title – pretty dark lyrics!
Margaret Thatcher was a pretty polarizing British prime minister, to put it kindly. That said, unlike other politicians who shall remain unnamed, it least she respected the rules of democracy.
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Yea…this one I remembered when it came out…I don’t know much of their other stuff but this one I knew…after I heard it.
I despise the lot of politicans. All they want is votes…and if they can buy them they will…sorry I’m cynical on that stuff.
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Can’t blame you, Max. Oftentimes, it’s a dirty game.
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Well…it’s like sports now…they refuse to work together…and its a competition. I’m always hopeful a 3 party will arrive.
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In addition to the hyper-polarization and lack of willingness to compromise what concerns me the most is that democracy itself is under attack.
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Yes it does! The last president that I remember to actually work with the other side was Clinton…
Now they are afraid…if you are a X party..and you help The Y party get a bill passed…if it helps Americans…Y will get all of the credit.
That shouldn’t be what it’s about. It should be about one thing…Help America!
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Cool solos. Not so keen on the drum sound – they might have sounded better in another era.
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