A.O.D.'s first vinyl record, a 6 song 7" EP entitled Let's Barbeque, was released on their own Buy Our Records label in 1983. Because the budget was so tight, the band could only afford 15 minutes of studio time. They recorded all six tracks in one take with no overdubs. Buy Our Records became one of New Jersey's largest indie punk labels and springboarded the careers of many bands including Flag Of Democracy, Raging Slab, and Pussy Galore.
Adrenalin O.D.'s first album entitled The Wacky Hijinks of Adrenalin O.D. showcased the band's use of blazing speed-punk and sarcastic lyrics, taking aim at the suburban experience with songs like "Middle Aged Whore", "Trans Am" (the inspiration for the Dead Milkmen's "Bitchin' Camarro"), and the crowd favorite "Rock n' Roll Gas Station". The album contains an untitled and blatantly obvious backmasked track. When played backwards, it is the band members saying in unison; "God is very, very nice. Be kind to animals. Satan sucks."
Adrenalin O.D. toured nationally and created a loyal following via their live shows (described by some as an experience somewhere between Minor Threat and Don Rickles.) The band's quick wit and on-stage banter was at times as much of an improv stand-up comedy act as a hardcore punk band, and fans coined the term "funny-punk" to describe their performances. Tracks that exhibit the band's quirky sense of humor include a punk rock cover of Henry Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk", a surf rock version of "Hava Nagila" entitled "Surfin' Jew", and a track entitled "Masterpiece" which is a punk reworking of Jean-Joseph Mouret's 'Rondeau" from "Symphonies and Fanfares for the King's Supper" (which the band knew only as the theme from the PBS TV series Masterpiece Theatre).
By their third release Cruising With Elvis In Bigfoot's UFO, the band brought in producer Daniel Rey (who had worked with the Ramones, Misfits and Iggy Pop) to help the band's translation from hyper-speed to mid-tempo melodic punk. With songs like "Bulimic Food Fight", and "My Mom Can't Drive", Stereo Review Magazine ranked the album among the funniest records of all time, and the album was formative in the development of the pop punk sound of Fat Wreck Chords.
World War IV
Adrenalin O.D. Lyrics
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It doesn't matter what you say, you won't make it no bleedin way
You haven't got any choice, you really haven't got any voice
Preventive measures have been taken, it'll really help against
Nuclear rapin
No streets, no people, left on the land, the policy ran out on our
plan
World war, lotsa fun
People in a panic, on the run
World war, lotsa fun
White House is aimin the gun
World war, lotsa fun
People in a panic on the run
World war, lotsa fun
The kremlin's aimin the gun
We're pawns in the middle, sittin ducks with no acquittal
They're gonna make us fight, protectin oil is our right
Unlock them now on the flag deck, Soviet bombers you're gonna net
It's breakin up the Richter scale, bombs away, they're gonna sail
No human lives stand in the way, cause we're on our way to a new
clear day
That's right
I really don't want to die, World War III
With A-bombs droppin from the sky, World War III
Don't give me your reasons why, World War III
Just know I don't want to die, World War III
Give'em any chance they're gonna take it, give'em any rules they're
gonna
Break it
It really ain't no riddle, I just know it ain't gonna be little
We haven't got a clue on what we're gonna do
So we're just pawns in the middle, sittin ducks with no acquittal
End up dead, end up dead, end up dead
End up dead, end up dead
World War III, World War III, World War III, World War III
Give'em any chance they're gonna take it, give'em any rules they're
break it
It doesn't matter what flag you hoist, you really haven't got any
Choice
No human lives stand in the way, cause we're on our way to a new
clear day
We're just pawns in the middle, sittin ducks with no acquittal
World war, world war
World war, I don't want it
World war, I don't need it
World war, I won't take it
World war, world war, world war
The lyrics of "World War IV" by Adrenalin O.D. are a stark warning against the possibility and devastating consequences of a nuclear war. The repetition of "WW III" throughout the song implies that the world has already experienced three World Wars and is on the verge of yet another one. The lyrics suggest that people have no control over their fate and are mere pawns in the hands of their rulers. It is said that preventive measures have already been taken, although it is not clear what measures they are.
The chorus of the song, "World war, lotsa fun, people in a panic, on the run" is ironic and sarcastic, criticizing the attitude of those in power who may see war as an exciting and profitable enterprise. The message is clear: war is not something to be taken lightly, it is a life-altering event that leaves chaos, destruction and the loss of many human lives in its wake. The lyrics of the song make it clear that the band does not support war in any form and it is a powerful reminder for a peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Line by Line Meaning
WW III, WW III, WW III, don't you bloody see? WW III
The lyrics begin by highlighting the possibility of a third world war, and how it seems inevitable.
It doesn't matter what you say, you won't make it no bleedin way
The line suggests that it's futile to try to prevent a war and that the individuals have no control over the situation.
You haven't got any choice, you really haven't got any voice
Further emphasizing the lack of control, the line implies that individuals' opinions aren't taken into account when it comes to war.
Preventive measures have been taken, it'll really help against Nuclear rapin
Though preventive measures have been taken, they still seem insufficient against the potential consequences of nuclear war.
No streets, no people, left on the land, the policy ran out on our plan
The line depicts the dire outcome of a nuclear war, with no one and nothing left on the planet.
World war, lotsa fun. People in a panic, on the run. White House is aimin the gun
The line sarcastically depicts the idea of fun during a war and highlights the panic that arises amidst the people. It also brings out the blame game played by the US government by implying that White House aims to cause the war.
The Kremlin's aimin the gun
The line implies that the blame for the war cannot be placed solely on the US government and suggests that the Russian government is also involved in the chaos.
We're pawns in the middle, sittin ducks with no acquittal
The line metaphorically depicts the individuals as pawns who are completely helpless and vulnerable in the whole scenario.
They're gonna make us fight, protectin oil is our right
The line suggests that the government is willing to put its citizens' lives at stake to protect oil reserves, implying selfishness and lack of empathy.
Unlock them now on the flag deck, Soviet bombers you're gonna net
The line portrays two sides gearing up for war, with the US setting up naval missiles to take on Soviet bombers.
It's breakin up the Richter scale, bombs away, they're gonna sail
As the tension escalates, the Richter scale measures the ground shaking due to the continuous testing of nuclear weapons, hinting towards an imminent apocalypse.
No human lives stand in the way, cause we're on our way to a new clear day
The line depicts that the leaders involved in the war do not value human life and are only focused on achieving their own objectives, leading to a disastrous outcome.
I really don't want to die, World War III
The line portrays the innate fear in individuals when it comes to their lives being threatened during a war.
Give'em any chance they're gonna take it, give'em any rules they're gonna break it
The line highlights the lack of control of individuals in the situation, suggesting that the leaders involved will take any opportunity to gain the upper hand, even if it means breaking the rules.
We haven't got a clue on what we're gonna do
The line implies the utter helplessness of the individuals involved and the cluelessness about possible solutions.
So we're just pawns in the middle, sittin ducks with no acquittal. End up dead, end up dead, end up dead
The line reiterates the metaphor of individuals being viewed as pawns who are helpless and may end up losing their lives.
It doesn't matter what flag you hoist, you really haven't got any choice
The line highlights that, regardless of one's nationality, individuals hold no power or control during a war.
World war, world war. World war, I don't want it. World war, I don't need it. World war, I won't take it
The song's chorus portrays the universal sentiment of people regarding a world war - they don't want it or need it and are unwilling to accept it.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOE KEITHLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind