Black Flag is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beac… Read Full Bio ↴Black Flag is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California, United States, largely the brainchild of Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes.

Keith Morris was their original lead singer. He left the band suddenly in 1979 to form the well-known band, Circle Jerks. Ron Reyes was the second singer for the band, but decided to leave the band not too long after. Dez Cadena would be their next singer, but switched to second guitar when they found fourth and final singer Henry Rollins in Washington D.C. in 1981.

While Black Flag were - and remain - very respected among their underground culture, their music has not been the stylistic model one might expect, in spite of their formidable reputation. Rather, their influence was seen primarily in their tireless promotion of a self-controlled DIY aesthetic. They're often regarded as pioneers in the movement of underground do-it-yourself record labels that flourished among the 1980s' punk rock bands.

Over the course of the 1980s, Black Flag's sound, as well as their notoriety, evolved in ways that alienated much of their early punk audience. They were part of the first wave of American West Coast punk rock, are considered a key influence on Punk culture band, and are especially important in the creation of hardcore punk. Their later sound, however, was often reminiscent of proto-heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath.

The band broke up in August 1986, when Greg Ginn decided to quit.

Through seemingly-constant touring throughout the USA and Canada, and occasionally Europe, Black Flag established an extremely dedicated fan base. Many other musicians would follow Black Flag's lead and book their own tours, utilizing a word-of-mouth, grass-roots network.

On January 25, 2013, it was announced that guitarist Greg Ginn and vocalist Ron Reyes would reform Black Flag, joined by Gregory Moore on drums, and 'Dale Nixon' on bass (Dale Nixon is a pseudonym sometimes used by Ginn, most prominently as the bassist on My War). The band will tour as well as release a new album, their first since 1985's In My Head. In March of that year, it was announced that Screeching Weasel bassist Dave Klein joined the band. On May 2, 2013, the band released a new song entitled "Down in the Dirt" through their website.

Around the same time, it was announced that the lineup that played at GV 30, Morris, Dukowski, Stevenson and Egerton, would tour performing Black Flag songs, under the name FLAG. It was later announced that the lineup would be joined by Dez Cadena.

I've Had It
Black Flag Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't go to work
The boss is a jerk
I ain't got time for this school
The fuckers are fools

I'm going to... explode
I've had it!
I lie around with the TV on

I don't do nothin',

I just hang around
Waitin' for your call
But I don't know where to fall
I'm going to... explode

I've had it!
It's no use I can't take no more abuse
I'm tired of the fuckin' lines
I'm losing my mind

I'm going to... explode
I've had it!
Killin' all your dreams
Really who remembers?

I play guitar for my car

And I won't get very far
I'm going to... explode

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "I've Had It" by Black Flag are a clear expression of frustration with society, authority figures, and conformity. The singer of the song starts by stating that they cannot go to work because their boss is a jerk and that they do not have the time for school because the people with whom they interact are fools. The refrain "I've had it!" serves as a release for this frustration.

The second verse shows that the singer is even more frustrated and feels stuck in their routine. The line "I lie around with the TV on, I don't do nothin', I just hang around" shows they are not doing anything productive, and the line "waitin' for your call, but I don't know where to fall" could refer to waiting for someone to rescue them from their boredom and frustration. The singer concludes with the same refrain from the first verse, "I'm going to... explode, I've had it!"

This song is a clear expression of the punk rock ethos of the late 1970s, specifically the rejection of standard societal norms and behavior. Black Flag, along with other punk bands of the time, were highly political, and their music and lyrics were meant to serve as a form of rebellion against the status quo. "I've Had It" is just one example of the band's unapologetic approach to music and lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't go to work
I am unable to attend to work

The boss is a jerk
My employer is an unpleasant, incompetent person

I ain't got time for this school
I do not have any space for education

The fuckers are fools
The idiots are fools

I'm going to... explode
I am at the point of a sudden and violent outburst of emotions

I've had it!
I have been pushed past my limit

I lie around with the TV on
I spend my day lounging and mindlessly watching television

I don't do nothin',
I do absolutely nothing productive

I just hang around
I exist in idle surroundings

Waitin' for your call
Anticipating your call

But I don't know where to fall
However, I am clueless about the direction to follow