The original lineup was Mick Jones - guitars & vocals, Don Letts - sound effects & vocals, Dan Donovan - keyboards, Greg Roberts - drums & background vocals, Leo Williams - bass.
The group's initial incarnation, founded by Jones and film director Don Letts once played in Basement 5 (maker of The Punk Rock Movie, various Clash music videos, and later the Clash documentary Westway to the World), debuted with the 1985 release This Is Big Audio Dynamite. 1986's No. 10, Upping St. reunited Jones for one album with former Clash-mate Joe Strummer who co-produced the album and co-wrote a number of songs, but that reacquaintance soon ended. BAD supported U2 on their 1987 world tour, then followed with 1988's Tighten Up Vol. '88 and 1989 Megatop Phoenix. BAD supported U2 on the leg of their 1992 Zoo TV Tour that included Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
The band changed their name to Big Audio Dynamite II for the 1990 album "The Globe", when
Don Letts, Greg Roberts and Leo Williams left to form the band Screaming Target (and later Dreadzone) and changed the name once more to Big Audio for 1994's "Higher Power". The band returned to the Big Audio Dynamite name in 1995 for the albums "F-Punk" (1995) and "Entering a New Ride" (1997) before ultimately disbanding in 1997. The band reunited in 2011.
Jones' latest projects include work with The Libertines and his own outlet with Tony James of Sigue Sigue Sputnik fame - CARBON SILICON
I Turned Out A Punk
Big Audio Dynamite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause they didn't love me then I turned out a punk
An ex house full of memories memories and junk
Never had a childhood I turned out a punk
Better learn how to play guitar with a plink and a plunk
I didn't like jazz I didn't like funk
I turned out a punk
Slowly started slipping down till my ship was sunk
Going nowhere in my life I turned out a punk
Didn't care 'bout anyone sat round smoking skunk
Didn't know what I had done I turned out a punk
Better learn how to play guitar with a plink and a plunk
I didn't like jazz I didn't like funk
I turned out a punk
I turned out a punk
Better learn how to play guitar with a plink and a plunk
I didn't like jazz I didn't like funk
I turned out a punk
I turned out a punk
Woke up one afternoon with a mout full of gunk
Blob out with my video I turned out a punk
Took my disabilities packed them in a trunk
Rock 'n roll's alright by me I turned out a punk
Better learn how to play guitar with a plink and a plunk
I didn't like jazz I didn't like funk
I turned out a punk
I turned out a punk
The song "I Turned Out A Punk" by Big Audio Dynamite is a nostalgic reflection on the singer's upbringing and how he became a punk. The opening lines reveal that the singer's parents did not love him, with his mother working as a hostess and his father being a drunk. As a result, the singer grew up in a house full of memories and junk, lacking a proper childhood. He then turns to the chorus, stating that he became a punk to rebel against his upbringing, refusing to listen to jazz or funk and learning to play guitar with a plink and a plunk.
The second verse portrays the singer's descent into punk, as he "slowly started slipping down till my ship was sunk." He is directionless in his life and doesn't care about anyone, smoking skunk and becoming a punk without realizing it. The third verse sees the singer waking up with a mouth full of gunk, wasting time blobbing out with his video before realizing he has packed his disabilities in a trunk and turned to rock 'n roll.
The song is a candid and relatable take on being a punk, with the catchy chorus echoing the realities of growing up feeling different and finding solace in punk music. It also reflects on how punk music can be a way to subvert the expectations of others and find a sense of identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Mummy was a hostess Daddy was a drunk
My mother worked as a hostess and my father was an alcoholic
'Cause they didn't love me then I turned out a punk
My parents didn't love me, which led me to become a punk
An ex house full of memories memories and junk
My childhood home is now just a collection of memories and useless possessions
Never had a childhood I turned out a punk
Due to my parents' neglect, I never had a proper childhood and consequently became a punk
Better learn how to play guitar with a plink and a plunk
I had to learn how to play guitar in a simple, unrefined manner
I didn't like jazz I didn't like funk
I didn't enjoy traditional popular music genres
I turned out a punk
As a result, I became part of the punk movement
Slowly started slipping down till my ship was sunk
I started losing control of my life and eventually hit rock bottom
Going nowhere in my life I turned out a punk
Since I had no direction in life, I resorted to becoming a punk
Didn't care 'bout anyone sat round smoking skunk
I became indifferent toward others, preferring to spend my time getting high on marijuana
Didn't know what I had done I turned out a punk
I didn't fully understand how I ended up becoming a punk
Woke up one afternoon with a mout full of gunk
I had a hangover and felt physically ill
Blob out with my video I turned out a punk
To distract from my misery, I spent my time watching television
Took my disabilities packed them in a trunk
I collected my flaws and insecurities and locked them away
Rock 'n roll's alright by me I turned out a punk
Despite everything, I found solace in the rock 'n roll culture, and it became a defining part of my life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICK JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielscissorhands
I was surprised when this song came out, because I thought B.A.D. were kind of washed up at that point, and I loved this song! One of my favourite B.A.D. songs.
@guttersnipe7799
I love Mick Jones, one of many favorite Musicians, guitarist singer/songwriters. I love pretty much everything he has done apart from a few odd songs I mainly love it all. I love The Clash they are one of my favorite bands. I loved Big Audio Dynamite 1 & 2 B.A.D 1 & 2 and I love his latest on going project Carbon Silicon with Leo Williams ex bassist with B.A.D 1 on Bass and vocals and Tony James from Generation X on guitar and vocals. I also love everything Mick has done in between, collaborated with Lily Allen singing 'Straight To Hell' and hooking up with old partner and crime Paul Simone and Gorillaz to do 'Plastic Beach'. There is so much more since The Clash and now too many to mention, he has done a lot including producing and appearing on some of those albums he produced on other peoples albums as well. Mick Jones distinct guitar sound is unmistakable and based on sound he is one of the best and my favorites standing in league alongside Keith Richards, Pete Townsend, Johnny Thunders, Joey Ramone, Steve Diggle and Steve Jones. Mick Jones is a Musical Genius and a Rock 'n Roll Legend.
@spassy13
still listerning many years later.better than the stuff today
@JoeyLevenson
wow, here IT is. i saw this years ago and loved the tune. got the record, too. awesome tune...thanks
@raymondbullock3505
Started smokin skunk. Has to be a song for the ages,
@bnorth1000
A real quality act - this song has what so many others don't have today - an earthy reality in the world of the REAL!!!
@AnaGutierrez-tk3gq
🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨
@rp61productions
Thanks for the info, i look forward to hearing this stuff. I managed to get hold of B.A.D's last unreleased album 'Entering A New Ride' i can't believe a label didn't jump at the chance to mark the occasion.
@xldda
Reminds me of my younger days and getting totally blitzed in smoky bars with good energetic bands.
@stephenjackson6762
get in... proper class... Mr Jones class