High wire fencing on the playground
High rise housing all around High rise prices on the high street High time to pull it all downI’ve heard of this band…Dave posted something before but I never listened to a lot of their songs. CB sent me a link and off I went. The Tom Robinson Band was a British rock band formed in 1976. The band was named after its frontman, Tom Robinson, a singer-songwriter and bassist. Their music was influenced by punk rock and new wave, and they were associated with the punk scene in London during the late 1970s.
Truth is…I could have picked MANY songs but this one talked to me. It’s fairly well known and since I always like to pick a song that would ring a bell for the first song of an artist I never posted before…I picked this one. He did have a top 10 hit in the UK in 1977 with 2-4-6-8 Motorway. More than punk or new wave…he reminds me a lot of Springsteen, Joplin, and Phil Lynott…spitting out words like his life depended on it. You can see, feel, and hear the intensity as he sings. These are the kind of artists that I like… the ones that give you everything they have. Robinson not only gave everything but is a hell of a writer on top of that.
He often addressed political and social issues, including themes of anti-racism, LGBT rights, and other causes. Tom Robinson himself was openly gay in the 1970s, and this was reflected in his music, making him an important figure in that community at the time.
This song was inspired by actual events, particularly the “Battle of Lewisham” in 1977, where anti-fascist protesters clashed with members of the National Front during a march. The song captures the tension and conflict between protesters and police.
This song was on his album Power in the Darkness album released in 1977. Robinson and Roy Butterfield wrote this song. The album peaked at #4 in the UK and #144 on the Billboard Album Charts. One note about the album which I think is brilliant. They included a stencil much like the album cover but with a warning…”This stencil is not meant for spraying on public property!!!”
The song peaked at #33 in the UK in 1978.
Up Against The Wall
Darkhaired dangerous schoolkids
Vicious, suspicious sixteen Jet-black blazers at the bus stop Sullen, unhealthy and mean Teenage guerillas on the tarmac Fighting in the middle of the road Supercharged FS1Es on the asphalt The kids are coming in from the coldLook out, listen can you hear it
Panic in the County Hall Look out, listen can you hear it Whitehall, up against a wall Up against the wall…High wire fencing on the playground
High rise housing all around High rise prices on the high street High time to pull it all down White boys kicking in a window Straight girls watching where they gone Never trust a copper in a crime car Just whose side are you on?Look out, listen can you hear it
Panic in the County Hall Look out, listen can you hear it Whitehall, up against a wall Up against the wall… Against the wallConsternation in Brixton
Rioting in Notting Hill Gate Fascists marching on the high street Carving up the welfare state Operator get me the hotline Father can you hear me at all? Telephone kiosk out of order Spraycan writing on the wallLook out, listen can you hear it
Panic in the County Hall Look out, listen can you hear it Whitehall, up against a wall Look out, listen can you hear it Panic in the County Hall Look out, listen can you hear it Whitehall, up against a wall Up against the wall Up against the wall