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 of Coldcut's "Pan Opticon" speak to the power of collective action in the face of oppression and violence. The first verse highlights the diversity of the movement, with people from different backgrounds and experiences coming together with a shared purpose. The next two verses address the urgent need for change and the guilt of those causing harm to the earth. The repeated phrase "guilty of violence" is a powerful indictment of the destructive forces of modern society. The final lines of the verse also suggest a need for contemplation and restraint, asking at which tree we should stop in our exploitation of the earth.
The second verse shifts to a more confrontational tone, using the imagery of a handcuff to symbolize the solidarity of the activists and their determination to protect their homes and communities. The repeated phrases "lock on for what you believe in" and "get in the way of progress" reinforce the message that direct action is necessary to stop the oppressive forces of the status quo. The final line of the verse, "till the next time a tree gets in the way of progress," acknowledges the ongoing struggle and the likelihood of continued conflict in the pursuit of justice.
Overall, "Pan Opticon" is a powerful song about the need for collective action, social justice, and environmental protection. Its lyrics speak to the urgency of the moment and the importance of solidarity in the face of oppression and exploitation.
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"
Many individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences unite together towards a common goal, working as a collective entity with one purpose.
"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"
Current younger generations have surpassed the ways of those before them, rendering previous generations outdated and irrelevant.
"Guilty of violence - guilty of violence -
guilty of violence against the earth"
Acknowledging responsibility and fault for inflicting harm on the planet and all its inhabitants.
"All that is left is left is a single question - at which
tree do we stop? stop-stop-stop-stop-stop"
With the state of the world in its current state of destruction, the question remains at which point do we halt further decline, and how urgently we must act to prevent further damage from occurring.
"You do not automatically have the right of way"
One must not assume authority or superiority over others purely based on personal circumstances or momentary circumstances.
"Stop"
A call to halt, and potentially change a course of action before it leads to a greater negative outcome.
"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"
A physical representation of resistance, and a commitment by multiple individuals to remain united, and to stand up for their shared beliefs and their united cause.
"Lock on for what you believe in"
To stay committed and loyal to the things that one believes in, regardless of the potential resistance or obstacles presented.
"Till the next time a tree gets in the way of progress"
Until the next time a cause for protest arises, and until society is forced to reckon with the harm it is causing through excessive industrial progress and capitalist motives.
"We now require you to leave the premises - we now require you to leave
the premises"
An order to vacate the premises, likely due to violation of established laws or regulations.
"Please be careful"
A warning to be mindful of one's personal safety, particularly in a context where danger may be more present and where the stakes are higher.
"Shame on you, shame on you, -repeat"
An expression of shame or guilt endured by someone who has taken actions in opposition to a plain, important cause.
"Get in the way of progress"
To resist against those who prioritize progress, development, and profits at the expense of natural resources, human values, and ethical considerations.
"Lock on for what you believe in"
To stay committed and dedicated to what one thinks is right, and to be prepared to take action in defense of those beliefs.
"Things go in cycles - repeat"
Many events in life have a cyclical pattern, often repeating themselves with slight differences over time.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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.