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.
Working
Cock Sparrer Lyrics
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Running around like a blue arsed fly
I been working
And I been working all day for me mate
Every bleeding minute I been on the go
Up and down the ladder like a fiddler's elbow
I been working
[Chorus]
Wait for tomorrow at half past ten
When I sign on, but until then
I'll be working
I'll be working all day for me mate
Ain't got no cards, don't pay no tax
For a score in me hand I'll be breaking me back
I been working
And I been working all day for me mate
Call me a crook, call me bent
But I need more than food and rent
I been working
And I been working all day for me mate
[Chorus]
They try to follow me every day
I give 'em the slip and I'm on my way
None of the other blokes thinks it's wrong
'Coz every one of 'em's signing on
[Chorus]
They try to follow me every day
I give 'em the slip and I'm on my way
None of the other blokes thinks it's wrong
'Coz every one of 'em's signing on
[Chorus]
The benefit boys are out of touch
What they don't know won't hurt 'em much
I been working
And I been working all day for me mate
If I'm caught I'll go down for a month or three
But they'll still Be paying out looking after me
I been working
And I been working all day for me mate
[Chorus]
The Cock Sparrer song "Working" is a punk rock anthem that reflects on the everyday working-class struggle of the British youth in the 1970s. The song tells the story of a young man who spends his day doing construction work for cash without paying taxes or having any work benefits. The singer acknowledges the dangers of his actions but still justifies them by saying that he needs more than just food and rent to survive.
The singer feels trapped in a vicious circle of poverty and cannot afford to live without the constant grind of work. The sense of camaraderie among the working-class men is also evident in the lyrics, as the singer's peers are all signing on (receiving unemployment benefits) and sees nothing morally wrong with what he's doing. The song expresses a defiant attitude toward authority of the welfare system and celebrates the resilience of the working-class attitude.
The chorus of the song is a reminder that even though the singer is living a life of uncertainty and vulnerability, he will continue to work his ass off until he can sign on again the next day. The song "Working" became an anthem for the UK working-class during the late '70s and early '80s, and many working-class people could relate to its message.
Line by Line Meaning
I been working all day for me mate on the site
I've spent the entire day working on a construction site for my friend.
Running around like a blue arsed fly
I'm constantly moving around, working as hard and fast as I can.
Every bleeding minute I been on the go
I've been actively working with no breaks, non-stop.
Up and down the ladder like a fiddler's elbow
I've been climbing ladders repeatedly to get things done.
Wait for tomorrow at half past ten
I can't wait until tomorrow because I get to stop working and start my unemployment benefits.
When I sign on, but until then
I'll keep working until I can start receiving my unemployment benefits.
Ain't got no cards, don't pay no tax
I don't have any payment cards and I haven't paid any taxes.
For a score in me hand I'll be breaking me back
I'm working really hard just to make enough money to get by day to day.
Call me a crook, call me bent
Some people might label me as dishonest or corrupt.
But I need more than food and rent
I need more than the bare essentials to survive.
They try to follow me every day
The police are watching me closely.
I give 'em the slip and I'm on my way
I escape from their surveillance and continue working.
None of the other blokes thinks it's wrong
My colleagues don't see anything wrong with what we're doing.
'Coz every one of 'em's signing on
They're all waiting for their turn to sign up for unemployment benefits.
The benefit boys are out of touch
The government officials who handle unemployment benefits don't understand the struggles of people like me.
What they don't know won't hurt 'em much
As long as I don't get caught, the government won't be affected by my situation.
If I'm caught I'll go down for a month or three
If I'm caught, I'll serve a few months of jail time.
But they'll still Be paying out looking after me
Meanwhile, the government will continue to support me through unemployment benefits.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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