They are commonly regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement and the punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock genres in general. They are primarily remembered for their singles, a string of would-be hits that combined a strong grasp of pop song craftsmanship with rapid-fire punk energy. These singles were collected on Singles Going Steady, described by critic Ned Raggett as a "punk masterpiece" The widely covered "Ever Fallen in Love?" remains one of their best-known songs.
The name "Buzzcocks" partially comes from the Manchester slang term cock meaning youngster, and its use in the 1970s ITV drama serial Rock Follies which included the catch phrases "that's the buzz, cocks" and "give me a buzz, cock!"
Buzzcocks were one of the key first generation British punk rock bands to form in the wake of the Sex Pistols in 1976. They were founded by Mancunians Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto, however Devoto left soon after the group released their Spiral Scratch EP (on their own independent label), leaving Shelley to take over vocals.
They are best known for their catchy, poppy punk sound, which has been widely influential, which was adopted as Peter Shelley took over on the vocals, singing about what the whole punk rock scene opted not to sing about: love. Devoto in the meanwhile formed Magazine.
They rehearsed in a friend's kitchen and played at the all-day 100 club punk "festival", in London. At the end of 1977 the band signed to United Artists and released "Orgasm Addict", with Shelley's high-pitched vocal delivery and Ramones-esque fuzz-guitar sound ensuring the controversial single would be played over again. Later came "What Do I Get?" which hit the UK charts and showed Shelley's brilliance in songwriting.
An LP was then released, Another Music in a Different Kitchen which came with its own carrier bag, labelled "Product". In 1978-79 five chart-hitting singles were released including "Ever Fallen in Love?" and had captured a pop-loving audience by this time. Love Bites, their second LP was released later on, which had less excitement than the last album, though it did sell well, with Steve Diggle taking over lyric-writing.
October 1979 saw A Different Kind of Tension which was panned by some critics, quite unfairly, as it contains some excellent songs, the title track being the stand-out. It perhaps suffered from being the second album to be released that year, with the record company keen to capitalise on the band's chart success at the time.
3 more singles followed in 1980, but the spark had clearly gone out for a while. Musical differences and the long slog behind them led to the band splitting in early 1981. Pete Shelley embarked in a solo career..
He released three dance/electronic influenced solo albums: Homosapien, XL1 and Heaven and The Sea - all with the same fine songwriting skills. Meanwhile, Steve Diggle formed Flag of Convenience - a power pop combo - and toured with some success.
A 5 album/CD set was released in 1989 called Product, which contained all the albums to date, plus the greatest hits and B sides album, Singles Going Steady, and the last non-album singles, Why She's A Girl From the Chainstore, Airwaves Dream and Running Free, plus the B sides
In 1992 the Buzzcocks reformed, without original drummer John Maher and bassist Steve Garvey, and releasd Trade Test Transmissions in 1993, quite different from their earlier material, with nods to the power pop scene popular at the time. All Set in 1996 saw a return to form with familiar riffs and pin sharp lyrics pop-punk. Next year Chronology was released, the missing album, including outtakes from the three United Artists albums. In 1999 they released Modern, which saw Shelley in reflective mode and Steve Diggle taking over more of the vocal duties.
Then followed another brief break in 2000, with Shelley teaming up with old band-mate Howard Devoto to release a largely disappointing album, Buzzkunst. Compilations followed, including Inventory in 2003, which contained every single to date, and 30 in 2005 to celebrate 30 years performing
2005 saw the Buzzcocks back touring and in 2007 they released the superb Flat Pack Philosophy, widely agreed to rank up with the best of Buzzcocks output
2008/9 saw a short tour where the band played tracks from Another Music and Love Bites.
In August 2011 they headlined the first night of The Rhythm Festival in Bedfordshire.
In November 2011 it was announced they would be playing two shows in 2012 that would feature the original line-up as well as the classic line-up of the band reunited for the first time in many years; these shows took place on 25 May 2012 in Manchester at the O2 Apollo and on 26 May in Brixton at the O2 Academy. It was announced on 26 May 2012 that, for the first time, they would headline Thursday night in the Empress Ballroom at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool sharing the stage with the likes of Rancid, Public Image Limited and Social Distortion.
On 1 May 2014 Buzzcocks released the album The Way via PledgeMusic. On 13 September 2014 Buzzcocks played "a brief but triumphant set" at Riot Fest 2014 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. In October 2014 Buzzcocks toured the U.K. for three weeks with The Dollyrots as main support.
In 2016, the band embarked on their 40th-anniversary tour (dubbed "Buzzcocks 40"). In 2017, "Why Can't I Touch It" was featured in the opening segment of the Telltale game 'Guardians of the Galaxy.
Buzzcocks continue to be a huge influence on many bands and are still enjoyed by a large, and very loyal, fanbase.
Pete Shelley died on 6 December 2018.
Thunder Of Hearts
Buzzcocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been tired of being blind
From staring at the sun
No cause for celebration tonight
Okay, right, you win
But always remember
Don't say you've not heard
Yeah, sometimes even monkeys fall from trees
The time has passed your mind's made up
We're going on our way
In my life this is happening to me
You live what you learn
I'll beg, steal and borrow
The thunder of hearts
Will echo tomorrow
Okay, right, you in
But always remember
I've said you've not heard
When you'd die to get forever
It's not much of a mystery
All these things are a habit you're to be
I've laid down here on bendy knees
But it's too much to ignore
I know a thing or two, well more than three
I wanted to be perfect
What if we should be
No chance of celebration tonight
You live what you learn
I'll beg, steal and borrow
The thunder of hearts
Will echo tomorrow
Okay, right, you win
But always remember
I've said now you've heard
Will you'd die to give forever
The song "Thunder Of Hearts" by Buzzcocks is a reflection on a lost love that was abandoned despite begging for it to continue. The lyrics express feelings of betrayal, confusion, and regret. The opening line “Tell me why you looked the other way” is asking for clarification on why the person chose to leave. The singer then goes on to express how they feel “tired of being blind” and unable to see the truth of the situation. The line “From staring at the sun” is a metaphor for how the singer was blinded by their love and unable to see the red flags.
The chorus “You live what you learn, I'll beg, steal and borrow. The thunder of hearts will echo tomorrow” is a declaration that the singer will do whatever it takes to keep love alive in their heart. The use of the phrase “thunder of hearts” is a reference to the powerful feeling of love, and that it is something that echoes throughout time.
The verses follow a similar theme with the singer expressing how they have learned from this experience, but it has left them feeling conflicted. The line “I know a thing or two, well more than three” shows that the singer has gained a deeper understanding of what went wrong, but still cannot comprehend how they were left behind. Overall, the song deals with heartbreak and the struggle to move on from a lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why you looked the other way
Explain to me why you ignored me and turned away
I've been tired of being blind
I am exhausted from not seeing what was right in front of me
From staring at the sun
I tried to look too closely and blinded myself
No cause for celebration tonight
We have no reason to celebrate today
Okay, right, you win
Fine, you are victorious
But always remember
Do not forget
Don't say you've not heard
Do not claim to be unaware
When you'd die to get forever
When you would do anything to have eternal life
Yeah, sometimes even monkeys fall from trees
Even the most unlikely can make mistakes
The time has passed your mind's made up
You have made your decision, and the opportunity is gone
We're going on our way
We are moving forward
In my life this is happening to me
This is occurring in my life
You live what you learn
You behave based on what you have been taught
I'll beg, steal and borrow
I will do anything to obtain what I desire
The thunder of hearts
The pounding beat of passionate emotions
Will echo tomorrow
Will continue and resonate into the future
It's not much of a mystery
This situation is not very puzzling
All these things are a habit you're to be
All these happenings are expected of you
I've laid down here on bendy knees
I have humbled myself before you
But it's too much to ignore
But it is impossible to overlook
I know a thing or two, well more than three
I am knowledgeable and experienced, more than just a handful of things
I wanted to be perfect
I had high aspirations to be flawless
What if we should be
What if we are meant to be
No chance of celebration tonight
We still have no reason to rejoice
I've said you've not heard
I told you that you have not been listening
Will you'd die to give forever
Would you sacrifice everything for eternity?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER SHELLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BackOnTheMap
The one that still gives me chills-
Paul Yates
Nice to see the uncensored version
Paul Thomas
distortion was somehow a great sound in the 70s but it doesn't carry well in later music. but this is a cool song. Was a huge Buzzcock fan. still am yet I'm trying to listen to newer stuff
Federico Mermoz
I miss you,Always in my life
999
С второнахом! :D
Joel Edward Guns Cristino Ponce
Porque tan poca gente, dejen llover sus likes prros
bipola telly
Great song.
Is this when they crossed over to the darkside...?
I hate the clip.
Cash does shitty things to people.
Jamie A2Z83
what?