In 1994, the duo expanded to a trio when Resque drummer Wez joined the band. In 1996, the band expanded further to include Salvatore Alessi of S*M*A*S*H on bass, Ben Lambert on keyboards, and Wez's brother Steve on guitar.
The groups most successful single, "The Only Living Boy in New Cross" from their UK #1 album "1992: The Love Album", reached #7 in the UK and #26 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart in the United States.
England
Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the second council house of Virgo
Forcibly removed from the belly of my ma
And raised on milk and Pernod
So just lie back and think of England
Because I slid down banister
For judges and banister
Reader's wives' husbands
I've been GBH'd and ABH'd
For a packet of be & H
I've been taken
And I've been driven away
I was fornicating
Before I could read or write
And now I can't stop, sir
I graduated from the Universty of Life
And the school of hard knocks, sir
And my telephone is always ringing
And my number is triple-X directory
Call 0898 treble three
Talk dirty to me
Oh come on all ye unfaithful,
Joyful, triumphant and pathetically weak
I've been Amsterdamned, Reeperbahned,
Wham bam no thank you mammed
If the spirit is willing
Then the telephone's cheap
And if you want to step outside love
You step outside love with me
You can step outside with me
And if we ever meet again
Don't know where
And I don't care when
I'm gonna help you with you're sickness
Like a Jehovah's Witness
You'll be born again
And again, and again
Just lie back, close your eyes
And think of England
And what England's done for me
The lyrics of the song "England" by Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine capture the rebellious and wild spirit of youth in the UK with a tinge of sarcastic irony. The opening line "I was born under a wandering star" sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer describes his unconventional upbringing and unconventional adult life, filled with banter, reckless behavior, and sexual encounters.
The second line of the song "In the second council house of Virgo" refers to the astrological sign and its traits- analytical, organized, and hardworking. The singer then goes on to describe his birth as "forcibly removed from the belly of my ma" which hints at perhaps a troubled childhood. The line "raised on milk and Pernod" further gives insight into the singer's unconventional upbringing, as Pernod is a liquor.
The chorus of the song advises listeners to "just lie back and think of England" which is a common phrase used to suggest enduring something unpleasant without complaining for the sake of societal duty. However, the singer uses this phrase to ironically suggest that the hedonistic behavior he describes is what he thinks of as his duty as an Englishman.
The rest of the song lists numerous questionable actions the singer has indulged in, such as sliding down bannisters, engaging in sexual activity before being able to read or write, being involved in violent crime, and working in the adult entertainment industry. The final lines of the song "I'm gonna help you with your sickness like a Jehovah's Witness, you'll be born again and again, just lie back, close your eyes and think of England and what England's done for me" further reinforces the song's irony, as the singer suggests that the very England he seems to despise is what has molded him into who he is.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born under a wandering star
I was born with no real purpose or destiny.
In the second council house of Virgo
I was raised in a humble environment.
Forcibly removed from the belly of my ma
I was born through a difficult birth process.
And raised on milk and Pernod
I grew up drinking alcohol at an early age.
So just lie back and think of England
Endure the hardships and discomfort for the benefit of England.
Because I slid down banister
I have caused trouble and mischief.
For judges and banister
I have been punished by the law for my actions.
Reader's wives' husbands
I have been involved in extramarital affairs.
With toothless decay
I have associated with unsavory characters and lived a rough life.
I've been GBH'd and ABH'd
I've been violently attacked and injured.
For a packet of be & H
I've been involved in petty criminal activities.
I've been taken
I've been kidnapped or tricked.
And I've been driven away
I've been forced to leave places against my will.
I was fornicating
I was sexually active at a young age.
Before I could read or write
I was ignorant and uneducated.
And now I can't stop, sir
I am addicted to sex.
I graduated from the Universty of Life
I have learned from my experiences in life.
And the school of hard knocks, sir
I have experienced many difficult situations.
And my telephone is always ringing
I am constantly being called for sex.
And my number is triple-X directory
I am listed in a directory for sexual services.
Call 0898 treble three
Call me for sex.
Talk dirty to me
Engage in sexual conversation with me.
Oh come on all ye unfaithful, Joyful, triumphant and pathetically weak
Anybody who is unfaithful and weak should come to me for help.
I've been Amsterdamned, Reeperbahned, Wham bam no thank you mammed
I've had various sexual experiences in different places and with different people.
If the spirit is willing Then the telephone's cheap
If someone desires sex, it is easily accessible via phone.
And if you want to step outside love, You step outside love with me
If someone wants to cheat on their partner, they should do it with me.
You can step outside with me
I am available for extramarital affairs.
And if we ever meet again, Don't know where And I don't care when
I am unconcerned about future encounters with sexual partners.
I'm gonna help you with you're sickness
I will assist people with their sexual desires.
Like a Jehovah's Witness You'll be born again
I will convert people into sexual deviants.
And again, and again
People will repeatedly come back to me for sex.
Just lie back, close your eyes And think of England
Endure the pain and discomfort of sex for the benefit of England.
And what England's done for me
England has given me the freedom and opportunity to explore my sexual desires.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES NEIL MORRISON, LESLIE GEORGE CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind