Adamson left school and shifted into graphic design attending Stockport Art College[3] but quit shortly after, favouring to venture into the exploding punk rock scene of the late 1970s. He joined ex-Buzzcocks singer Howard Devoto's band Magazine, playing bass guitar, scoring one chart single, "Shot by Both Sides"; in late 1977, he also joined Buzzcocks, as a short-time replacement of Garth Smith. He played on all of Magazine's albums, and contributed to Devoto's solo album and his next band, Luxuria. He also contributed to the studio-based band Visage, playing on the ensemble's first two albums, Visage and The Anvil.
After Magazine broke up, Adamson worked with another ex-Buzzcock, Pete Shelley, before joining Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. He appeared on five of that band's albums: From Her to Eternity; The Firstborn Is Dead; Kicking Against the Pricks; Your Funeral, My Trial; and Tender Prey. After his stint in the band, he went solo, releasing an EP, The Man with the Golden Arm in 1988, and his first solo album, Moss Side Story, the following year, the soundtrack to a non-existent film noir.[4] The album incorporated newscasts and sampled sound effects and featured guest musicians Marcia Schofield (of The Fall), Diamanda Galas, Roland S. Howard, and former colleagues from the Bad Seeds.[4] Adamson's second solo album was the soundtrack to a real film this time - Carl Colpaert's Delusion, and he would go on to provide sountracks for several other films.[4]
Adamson's third album, Soul Murder, was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 1992.[4][5]
His solo work is influenced by John Barry, Elmer Bernstein and Ennio Morricone. Later works have included jazz, electronica, soul, funk, and dub styles.
In 2002, Adamson left his long-term label, Mute Records, and started his own 'production home', Central Control International. In 2006, he released Stranger on the Sofa, first for his Central Control International imprint, to critical acclaim. Back To The Cat, his second album for the label, was released in March 2008.[1]
In 2007 it was announced that Magazine would reform for concerts in 2008. Adamson will be part of this and the same line up that recorded Secondhand Daylight will reform, with the exception of the late John McGeoch. McGeoch will be replaced by Luxuria/Apollo 440 member Noko.
People Like Us
Barry Adamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Papa couldn't afford to buy us much
He said be proud of what you are
There's something special 'bout people like us
People like us
(Who will answer the telephone)
People like us
People like us
(Gonna make it because)
We don't want freedom
We don't want justice
We just want someone to love.
Someone to love.u
I was called upon in the 3rd grade class
I gave my answer and it caused a fuss
I'm not the same as ev'ryone else
And times were hard for people like us
People like us
(Who will answer the telephone)
People like us
(Growing as big as a house)
People like us
(Gonna make it because)
What good is freedom?
God laughs at people like us
I see it coming
Like coming down from above
The clouds roll by and the moon comes up
How long must we live in the heat of the sun
Millions of people are waitin' on love
And this is a song about people like us
People like us
(Who answe the telephone)
People like us
(Growing big as a house)
People like us
(Gonna make it because)
We don't want freedom
We don't want justice
We just want someone to love.
Someone to love.
Someone to love.
Someone to love.
The lyrics to Barry Adamson's song "People Like Us" speak of the struggles of growing up in poverty and not fitting in with the status quo. The first verse talks about the singer's father not being able to provide much for the family, but encouraging them to be proud of their identity. The second verse is about the singer's experience in school, where he realizes that he is different from everyone else, and that times are particularly difficult for people like him. The chorus emphasizes that "people like us" are going to make it despite the challenges, and that they don't need freedom or justice - just someone to love.
Line by Line Meaning
In 1950 when I was born
The singer is introducing himself and his birth year.
Papa couldn't afford to buy us much
The singer's family was not wealthy.
He said be proud of what you are
The singer's dad encouraged him to be proud of his identity.
There's something special 'bout people like us
The singer's dad instilled a sense of pride in his son's identity and background.
People like us
(Who will answer the telephone)
The singer perceives himself as part of a certain group of people (with certain qualities like taking phone calls).
People like us
(Growing as big as a house)
The singer feels that his group of people are growing and prospering.
People like us
(Gonna make it because)
The singer believes that his group of people will become successful in the future.
We don't want freedom
The singer doesn't seem interested in freedom.
We don't want justice
The singer doesn't seem interested in justice.
We just want someone to love.
The most important thing for the singer's group of people is to have someone to love.
I was called upon in the 3rd grade class
The singer was asked a question in the third grade.
I gave my answer and it caused a fuss
The singer's answer sparked controversy.
I'm not the same as ev'ryone else
The singer is different from others.
And times were hard for people like us
The singer and his group of people have faced hardship.
What good is freedom?
The singer questions the value of freedom.
God laughs at people like us
The singer believes that God doesn't take his group of people seriously.
I see it coming
Like coming down from above
The singer sees that something is about to happen (probably a positive outcome).
The clouds roll by and the moon comes up
The singer describes a scene where the clouds pass and the moon rises.
How long must we live in the heat of the sun
The singer is asking how long his group of people must endure difficult circumstances.
Millions of people are waitin' on love
There are many people in the world who are waiting for love.
And this is a song about people like us
The song is about the singer's group of people.
Someone to love.
The most important thing for the singer's group of people is to have someone to love.
Someone to love.
The most important thing for the singer's group of people is to have someone to love.
Someone to love.
The most important thing for the singer's group of people is to have someone to love.
Writer(s): Barry Adamson
Contributed by Evan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.