Their first major hit as Coldcut was the house-inflected People Hold On, featuring a then-unknown Lisa Stansfield. The single took the U.K. by a storm, and the subsequent album featured such luminaries as Junior Reid (on the single "Stop This Crazy Thing") and Queen Latifah.
In 1991 they started their own record label, Ninja Tune, which continues to release groundbreaking and extremely diverse music by a small army of like-minded artists. In 1997 the duo unveiled their own real time video manipulation software, VJamm. Coldcut's current live and DJ sets rely on video as much as records, taking the concept of multimedia performance into largely uncharted territory.
Conceptually, Coldcut owes as much to the ideas of beat writer and cut-up theorist William S. Burroughs, 1970s art / industrial group Throbbing Gristle, and the religious writings of J. R. "Bob" Dobbs as much as to hip-hop originators like Grandmaster Flash or later innovators Double D and Steinski.
Recognizing the power inherent in Burroughs' cut-up technique and its presence in hip hop music, More and Black have relentlessly pushed the D.I.Y. ethic and an understanding of play as a means of fostering greater interaction with and understanding of the world around you. The similarities between this ethos and that of hacking need hardly be stated. Ninja Tune uses a corporate facade to communicate via the marketplace itself, an idea first implemented by Throbbing Gristle via their own Industrial Records imprint.
One of the key aspects of the Ninja Tune ethos, Stealth, implies that their following of DJs and listeners are "agents" in a Burroughsian sense, propagating the D.I.Y. ethic of play as an essentially subversive act by replaying and manipulating media under the radar of mainstream culture. Nowadays Coldcut reach a worldwide audience through their syndicated radio show Solid Steel. Black has recently (2003) worked with Penny Rimbaud (ex Crass) on Crass Agenda's Savage Utopia project.
In 2006, Coldcut released their fifth album, Sound Mirrors. single True Skool featured rapper Roots Manuva and featured an Indian sample from a cult Bollywood era, making the track popular on the bhangra and desi scene and with most of the British Asian urban nation.
Panopticon
Coldcut Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
so many different experiences, managed to
come together with a common cause and
think as if they were one person"
"When you get to look at what the young
people of the earth are doing now - all the
younger generations here they've all got
your number. You're obsolete - you're already
through"
"Guilty of violence - guilty of violence -
guilty of violence against the earth"
"All that is left is left is a single question - at which
tree do we stop? stop-stop-stop-stop-stop"
"You do not automatically have the right of way"
"Stop"
"This is a handcuff - this is what you have
to do to try and stay in your house when
they're coming in to take you out - one of
us puts our hand in this side, one in the
other side, click a small handcuff in the
middle, so that our hands are joined. So
that our hands are joined"
"Lock on for what you believe in"
"Till the next time a tree gets in the way of progress"
"We now require you to leave the premises - we now require you to leave
the premises"
"Please be careful"
"Shame on you, shame on you, -repeat"
"Get in the way of progress"
"Lock on for what you believe in"
"Things go in cycles - repeat
The lyrics to Coldcut's song "Panopticon" speak to the ideas of unity, progress, and social change. The main theme that runs through the song is the idea that people from different backgrounds and experiences can come together for a common goal, and create significant change. The song's opening lines reflect this sentiment, with the artist remarking on the diverse range of people who have united around a single cause: "So many people from so many backgrounds, so many different experiences, managed to come together with a common cause and think as if they were one person."
The song also takes a critical look at the role that progress plays in modern society. It argues that while progress is important, it often comes at a cost. The lyrics warn against the negative consequences of unchecked development, including violence against the earth and the displacement of marginalized communities. This is exemplified in the lines, "Guilty of violence - guilty of violence - guilty of violence against the earth" and "This is a handcuff - this is what you have to do to try and stay in your house when they're coming in to take you out."
Finally, the song emphasizes the importance of standing up for what you believe in, even in the face of adversity. The repeated refrain, "Lock on for what you believe in," urges listeners to take action and hold firm to their values, even as progress marches forward. By combining these themes, Coldcut's "Panopticon" provides a powerful message about the potential for change in the modern world.
Line by Line Meaning
So many people from so many backgrounds,
so many different experiences, managed to
come together with a common cause and
think as if they were one person"
This refers to people from various backgrounds and experiences who have united for a common cause, thinking and acting as a single entity.
"When you get to look at what the young
people of the earth are doing now - all the
younger generations here they've all got
your number. You're obsolete - you're already
history - no more of you need come
through"
The youth have advanced technologically and socially beyond the older generations, rendering them obsolete and irrelevant.
"Guilty of violence - guilty of violence -
guilty of violence against the earth"
This line speaks of the violence perpetrated against the earth and how this aggression can be attributed to humanity's activities.
"All that is left is left is a single question - at which
tree do we stop? stop-stop-stop-stop-stop"
The question of how much damage has already occurred to the earth is raised here, along with the plea to find out where to stop to prevent further harm.
"You do not automatically have the right of way"
This line refers to the fact that leaving behind a better world for future generations is not automatic but a choice that one has to make.
"Stop"
This single-word line is a plea to stop and rethink our actions that are leading to destruction.
"This is a handcuff - this is what you have
to do to try and stay in your house when
they're coming in to take you out - one of
us puts our hand in this side, one in the
other side, click a small handcuff in the
middle, so that our hands are joined. So
that our hands are joined"
This line refers to the technique of joining hands to stay united and resist encroachment on your home, making it hard for anyone to remove you forcefully.
"Lock on for what you believe in"
This line is an exhortation to hold fast to one's beliefs and principles to make a difference and bring about change.
"Till the next time a tree gets in the way of progress"
This line talks about the continuous conflict between progress and nature and how trees, as a symbol of nature, tend to bear the brunt of it.
"We now require you to leave the premises - we now require you to leave
the premises"
This is the ultimatum given by authorities to someone who has been asked to leave a particular location.
"Please be careful"
This line is a request for people to take utmost care not to cause harm to themselves or others.
"Shame on you, shame on you, -repeat"
This is an emotional outcry that expresses disapproval or anger at the actions of someone or a group of people.
"Get in the way of progress"
This line says that it is necessary to obstruct progress if it causes irreparable harm to nature, society or the environment.
"Lock on for what you believe in"
This is a repetition of the earlier line, and it emphasizes the need to hold on to one's beliefs despite difficulties or adversity.
"Things go in cycles - repeat"
This line means that everything goes through a cycle that keeps repeating itself over time, like the cycle of nature or the cycle of life and death.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALICE TRELAWNY-HARDY, JONATHAN MORE, MATT BLACK, PAUL BROOK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@StashAnykey
So many people from so many backgrounds,
so many different experiences, managed to
come together with a common cause and
think as if they were one person"
"When you get to look at what the young
people of the earth are doing now - all the
younger generations here they've all got
your number. You're obsolete - you're already
history - no more of you need come
through"
"Guilty of violence - guilty of violence -
guilty of violence against the earth"
"All that is left is left is a single question - at which
tree do we stop? stop-stop-stop-stop-stop"
"You do not automatically have the right of way"
"Stop"
"This is a handcuff - this is what you have
to do to try and stay in your house when
they're coming in to take you out - one of
us puts our hand in this side, one in the
other side, click a small handcuff in the
middle, so that our hands are joined. So
that our hands are joined"
"Lock on for what you believe in"
"Till the next time a tree gets in the way of progress"
"We now require you to leave the premises - we now require you to leave
the premises"
"Please be careful"
"Shame on you, shame on you, -repeat"
"Get in the way of progress"
"Lock on for what you believe in"
"Things go in cycles - repeat
@vickysandifer2451
Brings back so many memories. I now have a daughter, I've told all about my time at Newbury and other protests, reclaim the streets etc. Im proud of being part of a pivotal moment in our History. She is proud too. Watching this video again, brings tears to my eyes. Thank you Bongo and Offshore .
@mattyounce2486
Timeless movingly interesting music coldcut must be environmentally friendly. Their music is still an influence in this time of 2022.
@andromeda303808
I get very emotional everytime I watch this, beautiful...props coldcut & reclaim folks
@Puschit1
It brings tears to my eyes. Every. Single. Time.
@gregorysams1
This video brings tears to my eyes, prompted by the elation and high of the action recall, combined with rage, and sorrow for our world. Greg, at 3:20
@jakeschmell
Truly one of the best music videos ever made. Brilliant.
@LadyRain_Music
Amazing message💙🙏💧
@secci2007
Remarkable! Especially in context with it's original video. ..is the Irresistible Force Remix maybe also around here on youtube?
@seintime
crusty jugglers hehe...Cold Cut are pioneers and this is a great tune..only copy on youtube!
@TheJuniperTree11
And now we free fall into oblivion because we've learned nothing at all. Everything has a price and money makes the world go round.