Channel 3, also known as CH3, is a punk rock band from Cerritos, California… Read Full Bio ↴Channel 3, also known as CH3, is a punk rock band from Cerritos, California. Part of the Southern California punk scene of the early 1980s, the band had a sound that was more melodic than many of their hardcore contemporaries, and lyrics which ranged from thoughtful and satirical to bratty and self-indulgent. Songs like "You Make Me Feel Cheap" and "Separate Peace" were among the many sampled on punk compilations of the period, and the band's albums were modestly successful in both the U.S. and Europe.

Channel 3 centered around the friendship of Mike Magrann (vocals, guitar) and Kimm Gardner(guitar), which dated back to the second grade. Forming in 1980, the foursome included Larry Kelley (bass) and Mike Burton (drums, later replaced by Jack DeBaun). They released an EP, Channel 3, in the summer of 1981 and began playing shows in the Los Angeles area. In the summer of 1982, their first album Fear of Life was released, and the band began their first US tour.

After 1983 the band experimented with other styles, alienating many of its original fans. Eventually it returned to its roots, touring Europe in the 1990s and releasing a more punk-oriented CD in 2002.

Gamblin' Time
Channel 3 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Didn't learn a goddamn thing
Is it only half way through Lent?
This hundred bucks is getting awfully warm
And it ain't going to the rent

I want a chance for something more
Or something different at least
All I got's a shot at hope

To get me through one more week

Is it wrong to use that cash
Her teeth are pretty straight
Over under's at fifty four
That one dude's groin is strained

All I know about myself is nothing's ever enough
Screw the payment on the truck and the rest of that boring stuff
It's gamblin' time

In Sam's Town I double down
The bitch holds back my king
The fucking horse dropped down in class
She hasn't learned a goddamn thing

I dream of jet black roulette wheels on a velvet ocean of green
I hold the dice like wounded birds and then I set them free

Overall Meaning

The song "Gamblin' Time" by Channel 3 presents a narrative from the perspective of a character who is addicted to gambling. The first verse is a reflection of the character's frustration and disappointment in not learning anything from past mistakes as well as questioning his own commitment to religious observance during Lent. The second verse indicates that the character places value on the opportunity to win "something more" or different through gambling despite the consequences. The character begins to ask oneself if using his last cash on hand is worth it for the possibility of potentially improving his financial situation or if it is morally wrong to use the cash for gambling instead of more substantial expenses such as rent.

Line by Line Meaning

Didn't learn a goddamn thing
I haven't gained any new knowledge or insight

Is it only half way through Lent?
I wonder if we are only halfway through the period of Lent

This hundred bucks is getting awfully warm
The hundred dollars in my pocket is burning a hole and tempting me to spend it

And it ain't going to the rent
I know I shouldn't spend the money on gambling because I won't be able to use it for rent

I want a chance for something more
I desire an opportunity for something better than what I have now

Or something different at least
Even if it's not something better, I just want a change of pace

All I got's a shot at hope
All I have is a small chance at success

To get me through one more week
Hopefully this small chance at success will help me survive for another week

Is it wrong to use that cash
I question whether or not it is morally right to use the money for gambling

Her teeth are pretty straight
I notice that the person I am gambling with has nice teeth

Over under's at fifty four
The odds of winning are equal and set at fifty-four

That one dude's groin is strained
I observe that another person in the room has strained their groin

All I know about myself is nothing's ever enough
I realize that I have a tendency to never be satisfied with what I have

Screw the payment on the truck and the rest of that boring stuff
I don't care about important responsibilities like paying for my truck or the other mundane aspects of life

It's gamblin' time
I have decided to use my money for gambling

In Sam's Town I double down
At this gambling establishment, I am increasing my bet and taking a risk

The bitch holds back my king
The woman dealing the cards is preventing me from winning

The fucking horse dropped down in class
The horse I bet on has lost and dropped out of the desired class

She hasn't learned a goddamn thing
The horse I bet on has not improved and continues to perform poorly

I dream of jet black roulette wheels on a velvet ocean of green
I fantasize about playing roulette on luxurious green velvet tables

I hold the dice like wounded birds and then I set them free
I treat the dice with care as if they were fragile birds and then toss them for a chance at winning

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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