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.
Teenage Heart
Cock Sparrer Lyrics
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with a bullet from a 45 in his head,
Or his wrist slashed to ribbons with a blade instead,
than reach 24 that’s what he said.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do to my teenage heart
I said Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do,
try to tear it apart, try to tear it apart,
Remember the first time it seems so long,
had a new guitar and a handful of songs.
We played in a run-down railroad shack,
they said you’re too loud, get out and don’t you come back.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do with my teenage heart... my teenage heart...
Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah, what they trying to do,
try to tear it apart, try to tear it apart,
My Teenage Heart.
High class pros in soho bars,
two time tramps wanna sleep with the stars.
Living fast since the day they were born.
Made it big, and now you gotta conform
Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do with my teenage heart...my teenage heart...
I said Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah, what they trying to do,
try to tear it apart, try to tear it apart,
My Teenage Heart.
The lyrics to Cock Sparrer's "Teenage Heart" delve into the struggles and pressures faced during adolescence. The first verse details a conversation with a friend who would rather die than reach the age of 24. The desperation in this sentiment is starkly contrasted with the upbeat music, making for an emotional impact. The chorus highlights the theme of the song, asking what others are trying to do to the singer's teenage heart and lamenting attempts to tear it apart.
The second verse reminisces about the joy of playing music in a dingy venue, only to be told they were too loud and unwanted. The contrast between the fun of playing music and rejection from the music industry is displayed effectively, making for a powerful statement. The final verse criticizes the high-class lifestyle seen in Soho bars and how those who succeeded feel the need to conform to expectations. The chorus continues to express the distress the character feels regarding others' actions towards their teenage heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Friend of my mine said he rather be dead,
One of my friends said that he would rather be dead than reach the age of 24, by shooting himself with a 45 or slicing his wrist with a blade.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do to my teenage heart
The singer is asking what is happening to their teenage heart because they feel like it is being attacked.
I said Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do, try to tear it apart, try to tear it apart, My Teenage Heart.
The singer is reiterating that their teenage heart is being damaged, and someone is trying to tear it apart.
Remember the first time it seems so long,
The singer is reminiscing about their first time playing music, which happened a long time ago.
had a new guitar and a handful of songs.
The singer had just acquired a new guitar and had written a few songs when they began playing music.
We played in a run-down railroad shack,
The singer's band played in a dilapidated shack near a railway line when they first began playing music.
they said you’re too loud, get out and don’t you come back.
The performers were criticized by someone there for playing too loudly, and they were asked never to return again.
High class pros in soho bars,
The singer is talking about high-end prostitutes who frequent the bars in Soho when they say 'high-class pros in Soho bars'.
two time tramps wanna sleep with the stars.
Somebody who has been around the block a few times wants to sleep with the famous people.
Living fast since the day they were born.
The people mentioned in the previous line have lived fast since birth.
Made it big, and now you gotta conform
The people mentioned in the previous lines have made it big and are now forced to conform to certain standards.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Colin McFaull, Mick Beaufoy, Steve Bruce, Steve Burgess
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Javier Arellano
Friend of my mine said he rather be dead,
with a bullet from a 45 in his head,
Or his wrist slashed to ribbons with a blade instead,
than reach 24 that’s what he said.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do to my teenage heart
I said Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do,
try to tear it apart, try to tear it apart,
My Teenage Heart.
Remember the first time it seems so long,
had a new guitar and a handful of songs.
We played in a run-down railroad shack,
they said you’re too loud, get out and don’t you come back.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do with my teenage heart... my teenage heart...
Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah, what they trying to do,
try to tear it apart, try to tear it apart,
My Teenage Heart.
High class pros in soho bars,
two time tramps wanna sleep with the stars.
Living fast since the day they were born.
Made it big, and now you gotta conform
Ooh, ooh, ooh, what they trying to do with my teenage heart...my teenage heart...
I said Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah, what they trying to do,
try to tear it apart, try to tear it apart,
My Teenage Heart.
mucky pup
orale vato from Canada. thanks for the lyrics
RLee Roberts
THE BAND THAT LAUNCHED A 1,000 MOTELY CRUES
Elwood Blues
Personally, I hear more Foghat?? Also, kidding. Uggg, I love CS and hate Creweeeee
gasmaskboi19371945
Does anyone know when this was recorded?
Real Girl Live
🕺🕺🕺🕺
Mns dan
Oí oí from México....
Patricia Reca
MATT