A self-taught musician, primarily a keyboard player, he was educated at Jarrow Grammar School, South Tyneside, and was a founding member of the Tyneside group The Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, then renamed The Animals. His playing on their international hit "House of the Rising Sun" and other tracks was a key element in the Animals' success. His arrangement of "House of the Rising Sun," a traditional folk song, has become more recognisable than previous incarnations.
He left the band in May 1965, to form the highly successful Alan Price Set. In the same year, he appeared in the film Dont Look Back, which followed Bob Dylan on tour. In 1967, he enjoyed singles success with the Randy Newman song "Simon Smith And His Amazing Dancing Bear" and "The House That Jack Built", following it up in 1968 with the jazzy "Don't Stop The Carnival". A partnership with Georgie Fame resulted in a Top 20 single in 1971, "Rosetta", and an album "Fame and Price, Price and Fame Together", as well as a regular slot in one series of "The Two Ronnies" on BBC television.
In 1973, he wrote the music for the Lindsay Anderson film O Lucky Man!; he performs on screen in the film and appears in walk-on parts as himself.
Price produced the autobiographical album Between Today and Yesterday in 1974, a track from which, "Jarrow Song", returned him to the singles chart.
He participated in two attempts to reunite The Animals in 1977 and 1983. He also made several recordings with his friend, Georgie Fame.
He acted in Alfie Darling, a less than stellar sequel to the film Alfie, in the course of which he became romantically involved with his co-star, Jill Townsend. He has written music for stage plays and films, including The Whales of August.
For the past 20 years Alan Price has continued to regularly tour the UK, both on his own, and sometimes in 60's revues with groups such as Manfred Mann, The Searchers and The Hollies.
Justice
Alan Price Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd have to be a fool to close your eyes and deny it
There's a lot of poor people who are walking the streets of my town
Too blind to see that justice is used to do them right down
All life from beginning to end
You pay your monthly installments
Next to health is wealth
There'll always be a fool who insists on taking his chances
And that is the man who believes in true love romances
He will trust and rely on the foodness of human nature
Now a judge will tell you that's a pathetic creature
All life from beginning to end
You pay your monthly installments
Next to health is wealth
And only wealth will buy you justice
Money, justice
Money and justice
Money, justice
The lyrics of Alan Price's song "Justice" call attention to the harsh realities of society where justice is often not available to the poor and only accessible to the wealthy. Price starts off by pointing out that everyone wants justice, but it requires money to buy it. He notes that those who cannot afford it are misguided to think that they have access to it. The second verse further emphasizes the point that only the wealthy can afford justice, and it's a costly luxury that comes in the form of monthly payments, next to health. The chorus drives home the message, that money and justice are inextricably linked.
In the third verse, Price talks about the types of people who believe in the goodness of human nature and trust in true love romances. However, he asserts that this is a pathetic notion as a judge, and the system can eat those kinds of people for breakfast. In essence, Price's "Justice" is a commentary on the current state of society that favors the wealthy and punishes the poor. It's a biting social critique that denounces the very system supposed to provide justice.
Line by Line Meaning
We all want justice but you got to have the money to buy it
Justice is not freely accessible to all, only those who have the financial means to access it can obtain it.
You'd have to be a fool to close your eyes and deny it
It would be naive to ignore the fact that wealth plays a significant role in the attainment of justice.
There's a lot of poor people who are walking the streets of my town
The town is filled with people who are financially disadvantaged and thus, have limited access to justice.
Too blind to see that justice is used to do them right down
These people are unaware that justice is used against them to perpetuate their oppression and further diminish their access to resources.
All life from beginning to end
This line emphasizes that the pursuit and attainment of justice are essential at every stage of life.
You pay your monthly installments
Money is a prerequisite for accessing justice, and like any other commodity, its cost is divided into periodic installments.
Next to health is wealth
The importance of financial means to access fundamental human necessities like health is second only to the need for health itself and is also an essential requirement for justice.
And only wealth will buy you justice
Justice is not an inherent right; it is a product that can only be attained through financial means.
There'll always be a fool who insists on taking his chances
Despite the knowledge of the role of money in attaining justice, some people are still willing to take their chances in the hopes of a comfortable outcome.
And that is the man who believes in true love romances
This refers to a person who expects to attain satisfaction and justice purely through their own efforts and regardless of their financial status.
He will trust and rely on the foodness of human nature
This person is willing to trust in the intrinsic good nature of humans, assuming they will act humanely despite any financial incentives to do otherwise.
Now a judge will tell you that's a pathetic creature
Such a perspective is deemed unrealistic and unenlightened by those administering justice since it denies the role of wealth in this world.
Money, justice
This line reinforces the message that justice and money are inextricably linked.
Money and justice
The connection between justice and financial means is explicitly stated.
Money, justice
The song ends by repeating the same message, reinforcing the lesson that attainment of justice is only possible through financial means.
Contributed by Lucas B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sophoclex
Just seen O Lucky Man for the first time - it won't be the last! Totally stunned by the quality of the soundtrack and by Alan Price's whole contribution. Pure Genius. Many thanks for posting
clare davies
Aah well of course this is from the soundtrack of the best film of all time. Lindsay Anderson's O Lucky Man. Alan was blessed to be involved with this film and by god he did it proud!
Evangelos Markakis
It seems they don't make films like this anymore. One of the most under ratted films of all times but still among the best films I've ever watched.
Bryson Brown
Great number-- the movie is a touchstone of my early days, and the lessons still ring (all too) true.
Evangelos Markakis
Indeed. This film was not a huge success but to me it was one the best I've ever seen.
Ronald Bougie
saw this when it was fresh......still great it should be mandatory to watch everything still rings true in overdrive
Ю Бер
И фильм и саундтрек просто бомба.
Karakulimbro
Wciąż aktualne :)
duane anderson
so true, so true, say again, say again
1lightheaded
Cynical but honest