Career
Cockney Rejects were formed in 1977 by brothers Jeff and Micky Geggus, with their brother-in-law Chris Murrell on bass and Paul Harvey on drums. Their first demo, "Flares n' Slippers", caught the attention of Small Wonder Records owner Pete Stennett, who introduced the band to Bob Sergeant. With Sergeant, they recorded their single "Flares n' Slippers", which sold out its first pressing. Murrell and Harvey were then replaced by Vince Riordan on bass and Andy Scott on drums, from fellow East End London band, The Tickets. This became known as Cockney Rejects' classic lineup, and its debut at the Bridge House in Canning Town in June 1979 is considered a turning point for the band. In September of that same year, the band signed with EMI and released their album Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 in February 1980.
Their biggest hit single in the United Kingdom, 1980's "The Greatest Cockney Rip-Off", was a parody of Sham 69's song "Hersham Boys". Other Cockney Rejects songs were less commercial, partly because they tended to be about hard-edged topics such as street fighting or football hooliganism. Other singles to appear in the UK were "Bad Man," "We Can Do Anything," "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles " and "We Are the Firm" â all from 1980.
The violence depicted in their lyrics was often mirrored at their concerts, and the band members often fought to defend themselves (often from supporters of opposing football teams) or to split up conflicts between audience members. Jeff and Mick Geggus (who are brothers) had both been amateur youth boxers, and had fought at the national level. Bass player Vince Riordan's uncle was Jack "The Hat" McVitie, a Cockney gangster who was murdered by Reggie Kray.
Cockney Rejects expressed contempt for all politicians in their lyrics, and they rejected media claims that they had a British Movement following, or that the band members supported the views of that far right group. In their first Sounds interview, they mockingly referred to the British Movement as the "German Movement" and stated that many of their heroes were black boxers. Jeff Turner's autobiography Cockney Reject describes an incident in which the band members and their supporters had a massive fight against British Movement members at one of Cockney Rejects' early concerts.
EMI records released a definitive Rejects retrospective on 29 August 2011. Called Join the Rejects, the Zonophone years '79-'81, it was a three-disc collection of all their EMI recordings including all the Peel sessions and rare demos from the day. Also included was a colour booklet with a blow-by-blow account of the stories behind the music by Micky Geggus.
The Rejects movie East End Babylon and an album of the same name were released in 2013.
Tony Van Frater died in October 2015, aged 51.
In February 2016, it was announced that former Cockney Reject bass player Vince Riordan had re-joined the band again.
The group were slated to perform their first Australian shows in February 2019, however a family emergency necessitated the postponement of the concerts to July. The concerts were later rescheduled to October and went ahead that month to critical acclaim.
http://www.cockneyrejects.com/
https://myspace.com/readytoruck/bio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockney_Rejects
https://www.facebook.com/TheCockneyRejects
http://www.discogs.com/artist/254787
Bad Man
Cockney Rejects Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you, you tell me, why you give me the run around?
There's no answer for half the things that you've done
So just you remember that I'll always owe you one
You're a badman
One day, you'll realize just what you've done to me
Yeah, you've gotta, gotta be the worse player in the league
Everyone, they know that you never buy a round
You're a badman
You treat your mother as bad as bad could be
You even pay your deadly debts out of the gas money
You ain't got much ball control, your own biggest fan
So just you remember, you're a dirty, no good bad man
You're a badman, you're a badman
Go on, pinch your old man's money, go on
Don't turn out for the football, you're a badman
Leave your bird on her own, never tell her anything
Never give her no money to buy either, you're a badman
You're dirty, you're no good, you're a rotter and we all know that
You're a badman, you're a badman
The Cockney Rejects' song "Bad Man" is a scathing takedown of a person who is unreliable, dishonest, and selfish. The lyrics are written in a conversational style, with the singer addressing the subject directly and asking them to explain their behavior. The chorus of "You're a bad man" is repeated throughout the song to drive home the message that the subject is someone who can't be trusted and who causes harm to those around them.
The first verse asks why the subject always lets the singer down and gives them the run around. The singer knows there is no answer for what they have done but warns them that they will always owe them one. The second verse predicts that the subject will eventually realize the damage they have caused, to both the singer and their family. The subject is called out for being a terrible player and for never buying a round, highlighting their selfishness and lack of loyalty to friends.
The final verse reveals just how despicable the subject is, treating even their own mother poorly and using gas money to pay off debts. They are accused of having no ball control and being their own biggest fan, meaning they are not a team player and only care about their own interests. The repeated chorus reinforces that the subject is a "no good" bad man.
Overall, the song is a stark reminder of the negative impact that toxic, selfish people can have on others. The lyrics are brutal and direct, but also catchy and memorable, making it a classic punk anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
So you, you tell me, why you always let me down?
Why do you consistently disappoint me?
And you, you tell me, why you give me the run around?
Why do you avoid answering questions and being upfront with me?
There's no answer for half the things that you've done
You can't justify half of your actions.
So just you remember that I'll always owe you one
I'll never forget the harm you've done to me.
You're a badman
You're a terrible person.
One day, you'll realize just what you've done to me
Someday, you'll understand the damage you've caused me.
And one day you'll realize what you've done to your family
Eventually, you'll comprehend the hurt you've inflicted on your loved ones.
Yeah, you've gotta, gotta be the worse player in the league
You're the worst person around.
Everyone, they know that you never buy a round
It's common knowledge that you never pay for anything.
You treat your mother as bad as bad could be
You treat your own mother terribly.
You even pay your deadly debts out of the gas money
You use the money meant for necessary expenses to pay off your dangerous debts.
You ain't got much ball control, your own biggest fan
You lack skill and self-awareness.
So just you remember, you're a dirty, no good bad man
Never forget that you're a repugnant, worthless person.
Go on, pinch your old man's money, go on
Go ahead and steal your father's money.
Don't turn out for the football, you're a badman
Don't show up for the football game, you're a terrible person.
Leave your bird on her own, never tell her anything
Abandon your significant other and never communicate with her.
Never give her no money to buy either, you're a badman
Don't give her any money to buy anything, you're a terrible person.
You're dirty, you're no good, you're a rotter and we all know that
You're filthy, you're worthless, and everyone knows it.
You're a badman, you're a badman
You're a horrible person, straightforward and simple.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: CISCO HOUSTON, LEE HAYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dachavujic
So you, you tell me, why you always let me down?
And you, you tell me, why you give me the run around?
There's no answer for half the things that you've done
So just you remember that I'll always owe you one
You're a badman
One day, you'll realize just what you've done to me
And one day you'll realize what you've done to your family
Yeah, you've gotta, gotta be the worse player in the league
Everyone, they know that you never buy a round
You're a badman
You treat your mother as bad as bad could be
You even pay your deadly debts out of the gas money
You ain't got much ball control, your own biggest fan
So just you remember, you're a dirty, no good bad man
You're a badman, you're a badman
Go on, pinch your old man's money, go on
Don't turn out for the football, you're a badman
Leave your bird on her own, never tell her anything
Never give her no money to buy either, you're a badman
You're dirty, you're no good, you're a rotter and we all know that
You're a badman, you're a badman
@budbundy0074
A song anyone can relate to but not many know exists.
@paulgriffiths1062
Bought this when it first came out. Top notch punk...as it should be.
@richardandrewz8841
That intro. Play it loud. Hits you like a smack in the mouf, a punch in the gut, a kick in the bollocks. Fuckin' hell.
@marcwilluweit2558
one of the best bands ever. no such feeling with no other group.
@scottrobinson7646
My all time favourite Oi song ever. Just fucking outstanding!
@malvinmainwaring3443
Out of all these 80s punk bands, these were the best.
@Ikarus43
The sound of my youth... back in 1979 when I was 15. Lots of pot and speed around... :-) whoohoooo!!
@ferrucciot5499
indeed
@user-bg5ym8vg2d
Fuck drugs
@RENCHANDBASS
still speed lol just gotta look