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" — 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
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http://www.discogs.com/artist/254787
The Greatest Cockney Rip Off
Cockney Rejects Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
I'd like to thank my mum and dad
They gave me the best time that I ever had
And my mates that believed me when I was at school
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
Why'd I pay to get on the bus
Who drives around with the companies trust
We all know that we're the best
So drop the press and all the rest!
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
That I love London town
Oi! ya has-been
How ya goin me ol' china
Well in order mate innit
This firm and me pal
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off
It was the greatest cockney rip off of all!
The lyrics to Cockney Rejects' song The Greatest Cockney Rip Off are about the band's frustration with the state of the world and their love for their hometown of London. The repeated line "It was the greatest cockney rip off" refers to the band's assertion that they and their fellow Cockneys have been ripped off by those in power. The band expresses solidarity with their family and friends, thanking them for their support, and calling out corporations for taking advantage of ordinary people. The lyrics also contain a playful use of Cockney rhyming slang, with "China" (short for "China plate") meaning "mate" and "has-been" being used as an insult.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
I'd like to thank my mum and dad
I express gratitude towards my parents for providing me with the best moments of my life.
They gave me the best time that I ever had
My parents played a crucial role in making my life enjoyable.
And my mates that believed me when I was at school
I am thankful to my friends for believing in me during my schooldays.
I had the last laugh, Up You All!
I emerged victorious in the end, proving all my detractors wrong.
Why'd I pay to get on the bus
I wonder why I need to pay for using public transportation.
Who drives around with the companies trust
I am convinced that the bus companies cannot be relied upon.
We all know that we're the best
It's common knowledge that we are the most skilled and competent.
So drop the press and all the rest!
The media should refrain from spreading false news and rumors.
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
Perhaps my fondness for London is because I am a native inhabitant of the city.
That I love London town
I have a great love and appreciation for the city of London.
Oi! ya has-been
Hey! You are no longer relevant.
How ya goin me ol' china
How are you doing, my dear friend?
Well in order mate innit
Everything is alright, isn't it, my friend?
This firm and me pal
This organization and my friend here are important to me.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off
The event mentioned was the most significant act of deceit involving people from the Cockney region of London.
It was the greatest cockney rip off of all!
This was the most significant act of deceit ever to be committed by people from the Cockney region of London.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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