Murder
The Selecter Lyrics
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I said murder, ooh murder
I said murder
The That's what they want you to do
Please don't kill her, please don't kill her
Selecter Please don't kill her, please don't kill her
Please don't kill her
Murder That' what they want you to do
If I had a pair of wings
Songtexte I would fly away
I would fly with the morning bird
Songtext No one would know me at all
Murder, ooh...
The Selecter's song "Murder" is a commentary on the violence that was plaguing many urban areas in the UK in the late 70s and early 80s. The lyrics of the song are a plea to someone not to commit murder, with the repeated refrain of "please don't kill her" serving as a reminder of the harm that violence can do. The lyrics also express a sense of powerlessness in the face of this violence, with the line "that's what they want you to do" suggesting that perpetrators of violence are often fueled by outside forces.
The lyrics of "Murder" are also notable for their focus on flight and escape, with the lines "if I had a pair of wings / I would fly away" suggesting a desire to leave the violence behind. The use of bird imagery throughout the song further emphasizes this desire for freedom and escape from the violence.
Overall, "Murder" is a powerful and timely commentary on the devastating impact of violence on communities and individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Murder Ooh Murder
The singer is bringing attention to the act of murder
I said murder, ooh murder
The singer is emphasizing the seriousness of the concept of murder
I said murder
The singer is persistently bringing attention to the act of murder
That's what they want you to do
The singer implies that there are people or forces that want others to commit murder
Please don't kill her, please don't kill her
The singer is pleading with someone not to commit murder
Please don't kill her
The singer is again emphasizing that murder is not the answer
That's what they want you to do
The singer reinforces that there are external influences that may want someone to commit murder
If I had a pair of wings
The singer is suggesting an imaginary scenario to express the desire to escape
I would fly away
The singer wishes to escape from something or someone
I would fly with the morning bird
The singer suggests an idyllic image of freedom and peace
No one would know me at all
The singer fantasizes about being completely out of reach and hidden from harm
Murder, ooh...
The singer repeats the first line to show the continuing importance of the issue
Contributed by Camilla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MadFranko008
It's not actually about what you think it is !!!
The original 1962 version written and performed by "Leon & Owen" is actually about a women asking her partner to kill her for reasons unknown...
The original lyrics are...
"murder... that's what SHE wants you to do" and NOT "that's what THEY want you to do" as sung here in this version...
SO you seen the use of "they" instead of "she" kinda changes the meaning of the song and makes what was already quite a strange song (lyrically) to something a wee bit more stranger !!!
Still, that's the great thing about music is that we each take what we want from the lyrics that mean something to each of us and it doesn't have to match what the singer/ songwriters meaning was... 🙂
@nuttyboy11
Can't believe its took me 45 years to see this!!
@_XeroFX_
Still one of my all time faves!
@lingertooth
The best of the 2-tone lot, in my opinion.
@jmjones7897
Without question.
Legit, hard AF; still standing. One more opinion from an 80's Bootboy
@jennimadden1061
Love it! Specials memories come back !
@philwootton6709
Its taken nearly 40 years for me to see these.I didnt know they existed till now??
@MadFranko008
@ phil wootton: Must be nice though to discover a wee gem like this after nearly 40 years, just wish there was more stuff out there hidden away that perhaps none of us have ever seen that I could bring to us all... :-)
These clips where unknown to most though as the movie they were made for was never shown much in public in the cinema or on TV sadly... :-/
@PabloEmilio1000
Its great thanks I love The Selecter!
@MadFranko008
@ PabloEmilio1000: You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it... :-)
@Hibrid02
Superb.