Originally known simply as GBH (inspired by then-bassist Sean McCarthy’s trial for grievous bodily harm), their name was changed to Charged G.B.H in order to differentiate themselves from another band of the same name. Founding members were Colin ‘Col’ Abrahall (vocals), Colin ‘Jock’ Blyth (guitar), Sean McCarthy (bass) and Andrew Williams (drums).
Charged G.B.H embarked on several English and mainland US tours during the early 1980s, including several gigs at the 100 Club. 1982 saw G.B.H’s first LP, City Baby Attacked By Rats. Lyrically, the album dealt with criticism of British and European culture, violence, morbidity (especially in reference to the song “Passenger On The Menu”, which describes in graphic detail the experiences of the passengers on the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571), atheism, nihilism and general absurdity. Musically, the album was loud and fast, with few songs exceeding three minutes. In 1983 the band changed their name to G.B.H.
Unlike many early punk bands who evolved towards a more post-punk sound, G.B.H have stayed fairly faithful to their original UK82 sound in subsequent releases. However, the band have experimented to some degree with a more metal-inflected sound, notably with their 1992 release Church of the Truly Warped, although they have since returned to a more purist punk sound. The band is still active and touring and maintain a strong following both in England and the rest of Europe, as well as in America and Japan.
Race Against Time
Charged G.B.H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't realise it was just our dawn.
By the media we've been accepted, but in reality still rejected.
From the start it won't last,
But now that's all in the past.
Never admit to being wrong,
Five years on and we're still going strong.
Given a year to pack up and die,
Take the taking, run and hide.
Said 'race against time', thought it was clever,
Time is immortal and we're forever.
So five years on and we should be dead,
New ideas in the same old head.
Don't need help, don't need a tutor,
You're our past and we're your future.
It's a race against time, but whose racing ?
'Cus we've already won.
The lyrics of Charged G.B.H.'s song Race Against Time convey a message of defiance against the societal norms and the media that condition people to conform to certain expectations. The first line suggests that society puts people on a life support machine from the moment they are born, implying that there is little room for individuality and independent thinking. However, the following line suggests that the band sees this as an opportunity to break free from the conventions and create their own path in life. They acknowledge that society may accept them through the media, but in reality, they still feel rejected since they stand out from the mainstream.
The chorus asserts that the band was expected to fail soon after they started, but they have proven everyone wrong and are still going strong after five years. The line "never admit to being wrong" suggests that the band has faced criticism and opposition, but they refuse to let that bring them down. When they say "Take the taking, run and hide," they are addressing those who have doubted them and warning them that they won't back down. The band cleverly plays with the phrase "race against time," suggesting that while time may be immortal, they are here to stay and are the ones truly racing ahead. The final line, "It's a race against time but who's racing? 'Cause we've already won," reaffirms that they have overcome the challenges they faced and are more than determined to keep pushing forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Put us on a life support machine from the day we're born,
Humans are dependent on medical technology from birth, which preserves their life that has just begun.
Didn't realise it was just our dawn.
The beginning of human life is mistaken for the dawn of their existence, but it is only a start.
By the media we've been accepted, but in reality still rejected.
Although the media portrays a world of acceptance, humans are still faced with rejection and exclusion in actuality.
From the start it won't last,
Nothing lasts forever, including relationships, endeavors, and aspirations.
But now that's all in the past.
The past is behind us, and there is no use dwelling on it as it will not come back.
Never admit to being wrong,
Admitting to being wrong is often challenging and requires humility, but it can help individuals learn and grow.
Five years on and we're still going strong.
Despite the challenges and obstacles, humans persist and keep pushing forward.
Given a year to pack up and die,
In some situations, death is inevitable and individuals are given a limited time to make the most of their life.
Take the taking, run and hide.
Sometimes, people have to take what they can get and hide from the negative consequences.
Said 'race against time', thought it was clever,
The phrase 'race against time' was once considered a clever phrase, implying humans can challenge time.
Time is immortal and we're forever.
Time endures everything, while humans continue on as part of its history and legacy.
So five years on and we should be dead,
Five years have passed, which in some cases is enough time to complete a cycle and meet an end.
New ideas in the same old head.
Although time has passed, humans are still constantly generating new concepts and ideas with the same mind.
Don't need help, don't need a tutor,
Independence is important to humans, and they often like to figure things out on their own.
You're our past and we're your future.
The past has influenced the present, and humans are the future, with endless possibilities ahead.
It's a race against time, but whose racing ?
Humans have created a race against time, but is it truly necessary and who is truly competing?
'Cus we've already won.
Humans have already won in creating their own timeline and legacy through their actions and existence in time.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PATRICK JORDAN-PATRIKIOS, ANDREW FRAMPTON, MARVIN HUMES, ORITSE WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mixwell1983
This song is the best song on the LP. The guitar riffs make me want to go nuts 30 years later !!!
@craig0weston20
Pure brilliance
@alanknotts1844
This fucking rips like no other. Best played up loud, drove my mother nuts when we played it as teenagers back in 81😀
@ecopunk66
First ever track i ever heard by these! Still love it now!!!
@dimitriskiortsis677
Exactly the same for me too!!
@mr.evasion
Still relevant 40 years on
@danielcarlson7931
Ditto!!!!
@fritzthedog007
Same.
@moneytalksandpeoplelisten4086
What i like more about the early G.B.H. material than the later is that their stuff from 81 till 84(not counting CBR) is that it had a very driving, powerful, raw, and somewhat more of a fiery sound to it than their later stuff. While i love the later material too. The early years are my favorite.
@anando41
genijalno i odveć moćno !