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.
What Do I Get?
Buzzcocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I only want a friend who will stay to the end, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
I'm in distress, I need a caress, what do I get?
I'm not on the make, I just need a break, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
I only get sleepless nights
Alone here in my half-empty bed
For you things, seem to turn out right
I wish they'd only happen to me instead
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
Ah
I only get sleepless nights
Alone here in my half-empty bed
For you, things seem to turn out right
I wish they'd only happen to me instead
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
I just want a lover like any other, what do I get?
I only want a friend who will love to the end, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
Well, let me tell you now
(What do I get?)
(What do I get?) No love
(What do I get?) No sleep at nights
(What do I get?) Nothing that's nice
(What do I get?) Nothing at all, at all, at all, at all
At all, at all, at all 'cause I don't get you
The Buzzcocks song "What Do I Get?" is a song about unrequited love and frustration. The singer is asking for a lover, a friend, a caress, and a break, but it seems that they cannot get any of those things. The repeated phrase "What do I get?" emphasizes the singer's dissatisfaction and helplessness. The singer feels that they are alone while everyone else's lives seem to turn out right. The song ends with the realization that the singer cannot get the person they desire, and they are left with nothing.
The lyrics represent a universal theme of desire and rejection. The singer's desires are simple and relatable, but they are unable to find what they want. The song captures the feeling of wanting someone who does not want you back, and the frustration and disappointment that come with it. The repetition of the phrase "What do I get?" adds to the song's sense of hopelessness and despair.
The song's upbeat and catchy melody contrasts with the lyrics' sad and bitter message, creating a sense of irony. The Buzzcocks were known for their melodic punk sound and clever lyrics, and "What Do I Get?" is a quintessential example of their style.
Line by Line Meaning
I just want a lover like any other, what do I get?
The singer desires a romantic partner, but questions why they are unsuccessful in finding one
I only want a friend who will stay to the end, what do I get?
The singer seeks a loyal companion, but feels like they can't even get that
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
A repeated chorus that emphasizes the theme of disappointment and frustration
I'm in distress, I need a caress, what do I get?
The singer is going through a tough time and desires comfort and affection but doesn't seem to get that either
I'm not on the make, I just need a break, what do I get?
The singer is not looking for a hookup or a fling, but just some good luck which seems to be eluding them
I only get sleepless nights Alone here in my half-empty bed For you things, seem to turn out right I wish they'd only happen to me instead
The singer feels lonely and jealous of others who seem to have it together and wonders why their own life is full of hardships
Ah
An interlude with no particular meaning
Well, let me tell you now
A prelude to the singer's final thoughts on the matter
(What do I get?) No love
The singer bemoans their lack of success in finding love or any affection from anyone
(What do I get?) No sleep at nights
The singer struggles with insomnia and can't seem to catch a break or find peace
(What do I get?) Nothing that's nice
Everything the singer gets is crappy and unpleasant
(What do I get?) Nothing at all, at all, at all, at all At all, at all, at all 'cause I don't get you
The singer now acknowledges that the main reason for their misery is their unrequited love for someone they can't have, reinforcing the universal theme of love and suffering.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Peter Shelley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@qwerty99467
LYRICS
I just want a lover like any other, what do I get?
I only want a friend who will stay to the end, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
I'm in distress, I need a caress, what do I get?
I'm not on the make, I just need a break, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
I only get sleepless nights
Alone here in my half-empty bed
For you things, seem to turn out right
I wish they'd only happen to me instead
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
Oh
I only get sleepless nights
Alone here in my half-empty bed
For you things seem to turn out right
I wish they'd only happen to me instead
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
I just want a lover like any other, what do I get?
I only want a friend who will love to the end, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh, what do I get?
Well, let me tell you now
(What do I get?)
(What do I get?)
(What do I get?) I get no love
(What do I get?) I get no sleep at nights
(What do I get?) I get nothing that's nice
(What do I get?) I get nothing at all, at all, at all, at all
At all, at all, at all, at all 'cause I don't get you
@ronkilgore2997
You know you're getting old when there are always RIP's in the comments of the bands you grew up with. RIP youth.
@exeuroweenie
Get's scary doesn't it? I just gave my regards to Lorna Doom(Germs)a few months ago.Never seemed like there were so many original punks until they started dying.
@raybbaby
Not necessarily old, rockers have a tendency to die younger than most. With four or five to a band, there's bound to be a few leaving us a bit early.
@felipezorro4893
indeed bruhv
@Koolaidistheshit
You're in for a lot of pain if you like oldschool punk bands then lol
@ronkilgore2997
@@Koolaidistheshit yeah I am coming to find that out unfortunately
@ghostexits
I love this group so much; every one of their songs is a hit. It goes without saying, they’re like a more effete, angular, British Ramones. But the songwriting is second to none.
@slbgraphics2
Perfect description! Yes.
@thatbishhhnish8131
they remind me of the sex pistols lol
@johnsullivan2652
Yes and this one seems to get hidden away. God knows why ?