One of the first Oi! bands, Cock Sparrer was playing loud, raw, Cockney wor… Read Full Bio ↴One of the first Oi! bands, Cock Sparrer was playing loud, raw, Cockney working-class anthems as early as the first wave of British punk, although record company difficulties prevented them from issuing much material until the early '80s, when the Oi!movement was well underway. The group formed in London's East End in 1975, originally as a hard-edged pub rock combo in the vein of Dr. Feelgood. Four of the members -- vocalist Colin McFaull, guitarist Mick Beaufoy, bassist Steve Burgess, and drummer Steve Bruce -- had been schoolmates since age 11, and had been playing together in cover bands three years prior. They were joined by rhythm guitarist Gary Lammin (Burgess' cousin), and soon began playing the Bridgehouse Pub in Canning Town on a regular basis. The emergence of the Sex Pistols presented an opportunity to further toughen up their sound, which sparked a brief interest from Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren that didn't end up amounting to much. In 1977, Cock Sparrer signed with Decca Records (which had already landed another proto-Oi! band in Slaughter & the Dogs) and recorded their debut single, "Runnin' Riot," which was followed by a cover of the Rolling Stones' "We Love You." However, disagreements with Decca led to the sense that the band's simple, basic, street-level sound wasn't really understood; as a result, their self-titled debut was, for some reason, issued only in Spain. Lammin left the group to pursue an acting career not long after, and a frustrated Cock Sparrer went on an unofficial hiatus.

By the early '80s, bands like Sham 69, the Angelic Upstarts, and the Cockney Rejects had transformed the working-class punk sensibility into a Cockney-dominated subgenre dubbed Oi! As early progenitors of the scene, Cock Sparrer was in demand once again, especially after their song "Sunday Stripper" appeared on an Oi! compilation. They began gigging again and quickly landed a record deal, resulting in the 1982 hit single "England Belongs to Me," which struck a chord during the middle of the Falklands War. Cock Sparrer's official U.K. debut album, Shock Troops, was also released in 1982 and became a long-standing Oi! favorite. Guitarist Beaufoy left the band in 1983 and was replaced by the tandem of Chris Skepis (rhythm) and Shug O'Neill (lead). This lineup recorded the follow-up album, 1984's Runnin' Riot in '84, but Skepis and O'Neill both departed shortly thereafter. Beaufoy rejoined briefly for the Live & Loud album, released in 1987, but disagreements within the band and (again) with their record company precipitated another breakup.

In late 1992, Cock Sparrer was invited to play a reunion gig at the Astoria, near Charing Cross. The appearance of over 2,000 fans stunned the band into a full-fledged reunion, featuring the original quartet of McFaull, Beaufoy, Burgess, and Bruce, plus new rhythm guitarist Daryl Smith. In early 1994, Cock Sparrer released Guilty as Charged, their first album of all-new material in a decade. The odds-and-ends EP Run Away followed in 1995, featuring live and studio recordings; the proper follow-up to Guilty as Charged, Two Monkeys, was released in 1997, with rumors that it would be the band's last album featuring all new material. A spate of compilations and live recordings followed during the next few years, with the band continuing to tour extensively, hitting the U.S. in 2000.

Sussed
Cock Sparrer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

He walks in the room, giving it the big ′un
Telling his stories, to anyone who'll listen
To the lies that ne now believe to be true
We′ve had enough, we're through with you
Playing us all off, against one another
Mate against mate, brother against brother
Light the fuse and then walk away
It's gonna backfire on you one day

I sussed you out
I sussed you out
I sussed you out
See through you
The doctors said, he had to knock it on the head
Another six months or he would be dead
But he′s still full of shit and I′m starting to think
I preffered you mate when you had a drink
I got your number, I sussed you out
You don't fool me, I know what you′re about
You hate the fact that we're all aware
You walk in a room now and nobody cares
I sussed you out
I sussed you out
I sussed you out
See through you
I caught you out
I caught you out

I caught you out
I sussed you out

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Cock Sparrer's song "Sussed" depict a situation where someone, who is likely manipulative and deceitful, enters a room with a boastful attitude, trying to impress others with false stories. The singer expresses in the lyrics that they have grown tired of this person's behavior and are no longer willing to be manipulated by them. The individual in question is portrayed as playing people against each other, causing conflicts among friends and family members. The singer predicts that this manipulative behavior will eventually lead to consequences for this person.

As the song progresses, it is revealed that the person in question may have faced a health scare in the past, with doctors warning them to change their ways or face dire consequences. Despite this warning, the individual continues with their dishonest behavior, and the singer reflects on how they preferred this person when they were under the influence of alcohol, suggesting that their behavior has worsened over time. The singer asserts that they have seen through this person's facade and have figured out their true nature.

The chorus of the song, with repeated lines such as "I sussed you out" and "See through you," emphasizes the singer's confidence in their ability to see beyond the lies and manipulation of this individual. The lyrics indicate a sense of empowerment in having uncovered the truth about this person and no longer being fooled by them. The repetition of the phrase "I sussed you out" and "I caught you out" further highlights the singer's determination to expose this person for who they truly are and not be swayed by their deception any longer.

Overall, the lyrics of "Sussed" by Cock Sparrer convey a message of disillusionment and empowerment, with the singer asserting their ability to see through someone's deceitful behavior and no longer be swayed by their manipulative tactics. The song serves as a defiant anthem against those who seek to deceive others and highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and not allowing others to play games with one's emotions or relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

He walks in the room, giving it the big ′un
Entering with arrogance and bravado

Telling his stories, to anyone who'll listen
Spreading lies and false tales

To the lies that ne now believe to be true
Deceiving others into believing falsehoods

We′ve had enough, we're through with you
Growing tired of the manipulation and deceit

Playing us all off, against one another
Causing conflict and division among friends and family

Light the fuse and then walk away
Instigating trouble and leaving others to deal with the aftermath

It's gonna backfire on you one day
Your actions will come back to haunt you

I sussed you out
I figured you out, I see through your facade

See through you
See past your deception

The doctors said, he had to knock it on the head
Advised to stop destructive behavior

Another six months or he would be dead
Facing consequences if change doesn't happen

But he′s still full of shit and I′m starting to think
Continuing to lie and deceive, causing doubt

I preffered you mate when you had a drink
Preferring the honesty and authenticity before the lies

I got your number, I sussed you out
I understand your true intentions and motives

You don't fool me, I know what you′re about
Not being deceived, aware of the real person you are

You hate the fact that we're all aware
Disliking that others see through the lies

You walk in a room now and nobody cares
Being ignored due to loss of trust and credibility

I caught you out
Exposed your lies and deceit

Writer(s): Michael Beaufoy, Stephen John Burgess, Collin Mcfaull, Daryl Smith, Steven Robert Bruce

Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS