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.
The Taking of Peckham 123
Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
at the sugar candy store
where the barman lays
on the bloodstained floor
with all the wines
and the cocktails
he won't be serving anymore
to the swingers
and the carnivore queen
who's looking for the 3 scrooges
who are nowhere to be seen
and life's just a bowl of cherries
for the fruit machine
THE TAKING OF PECKHAM
1 . . 2 . . 3 . . 1 . . 2 . . 3 . .
Fifteen men on a dead man's chest
they robbed him blind,
then dumb.
and then deaf
and they left him there bleeding
on the pavement to die
and he went to that
great high-rise block in the sky
And the hands that do the dishes
feel as soft as your face
then they rob you of your pension
and they ransack your place
still, you try to forgive
like the Babby Jesus did
though it's so hard to be a saint
in the flats where you live
And you'll live there forever
and the day that you die
when you'll go to that
great high-rise block in the sky
and you'll meet the Babby Jesus
so you ll know you're in Heaven
and you'll get back the years
that you gave
in the taking of Peckham
The lyrics of the song "The Taking of Peckham 123" by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine describe a chaotic scene of violence and tragedy unfolding in Peckham, a district of South London. The song opens by likening the scene to "Saint Valentine's Day at the sugar candy store," which suggests both the abundance of sweets associated with the holiday and the violence that took place during the original Saint Valentine's Day massacre in Chicago in 1929. The lyrics go on to describe a barman who has been slain by the robbers, leaving behind his wines and cocktails, and a carnivore queen who is searching for three men, possibly the robbers themselves. The chorus repeats the phrase "the taking of Peckham" along with a countdown, creating a sense of urgency and imminent danger.
The second verse of the song shifts from the immediate violence to a more slow-burning kind of exploitation and injustice that the residents of the area face every day. The lyrics describe a person's pension being stolen and their home being ransacked, making it clear that this is not a one-time event but a systemic issue. However, the singer of the song tries to forgive those who have wronged them, "like the Babby Jesus did." The final verse is the most poignant, as it suggests that the residents of Peckham will never be able to escape the cycle of poverty and violence, and will only be able to find peace in death, where they will reunite with the Babby Jesus and reclaim the time that was taken from them.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like Saint Valentine's Day
at the sugar candy store
The situation is like a happy and romantic occasion, filled with sweetness and joy.
where the barman lays
on the bloodstained floor
The barman is lying on the floor, injured and bleeding.
with all the wines
and the cocktails
he won't be serving anymore
to the swingers
and the roustabouts
and the carnivore queen
who's looking for the 3 scrooges
who are nowhere to be seen
The barman won't be serving drinks to the customers, who include swingers, roustabouts, and a carnivore queen searching for three missing people.
and life's just a bowl of cherries
for the fruit machine
Life seems easy and enjoyable for the fruit machine, which represents luck and chance.
Fifteen men on a dead man's chest
they robbed him blind,
then dumb.
and then deaf
and they left him there bleeding
on the pavement to die
and he went to that
great high-rise block in the sky
A group of 15 men robbed and killed someone, leaving him bleeding and dying on the pavement. The dead man is now in heaven.
And the hands that do the dishes
feel as soft as your face
then they rob you of your pension
and they ransack your place
still, you try to forgive
like the Babby Jesus did
though it's so hard to be a saint
in the flats where you live
Even those who do menial tasks can turn around and steal from you, leaving you feeling violated and hurt. Despite the difficulty, one should try to forgive, like Jesus did. However, it's hard to be good when living in a low-income area.
And you'll live there forever
and the day that you die
when you'll go to that
great high-rise block in the sky
and you'll meet the Babby Jesus
so you ll know you're in Heaven
and you'll get back the years
that you gave
in the taking of Peckham
Living in a low-income area may seem like it will last forever, but one day you'll die and go to heaven, where you'll see Jesus and regain the years that you lost during your struggles in Peckham.
Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Garry Kyle
Carter are one of the most underrated/ unknown bands of all time.
Amazing tunes, lyrics and themes.
Class act.
Thank you jim Bob and fruitbat.
You got me off dance music and ecstasy 😁
Alan Bateman
Semi-repressed memories. God they were better than I remember, sang along after twenty-odd years without hearing this. Thanks for putting Carter up here
Tautolonaut
Loved this album when I was 12. Forgot about them for 30 years. Now I'm finally drunk enough to remember.
Remote Control Animals
It's such a great thing listening to songs you forgot about when drunk.
clare B-C
Yep we are all middle aged now and still search for Carter for good music
Carmen Caamaño
Look for Bolshoi too!! Amsterdam looks like this
tim pea
Irony, satire, wit... and fucking righteous rage! I hope USM live in the spirit of England forever.
2wheelsondirt
Singing along after not hearing this for 20 years!
rallyslag tour
Was at they're last gig at Brixton acadamy in 2016? or was it 15? can't remember.. Still hit you with strobes full on .. Best live band of my youth memories!!!
oliver flanagan
the English Pogues, pure quality and not many better bands live