There is more than one artist with this name:

1) a anarcho-punk band… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:

1) a anarcho-punk band from South London.
2) an industrial metal band from Moscow, Russia.
3) a Japanese breakbeat artist
4) a gospel rap artist from Sacramento, CA.
5) an 80's hardcore band from Tucson, AZ.
6) Goa trance from Jerusalem

1) Conflict is an anarcho-punk band originally based around Eltham in South London. Formed in 1981, the band's original line up consisted of: Colin Jerwood (vocals), Paco (drums), Big John (bass), Steve (guitars), Pauline (vocals), Paul AKA 'Nihilistic Nobody' (visuals). Their first release was the EP "The House That Man Built" on Crass Records. By the time they released their debut album It's Time To See Who's Who on Corpus Christi Records, Pauline and Paul had left the band. Conflict later set up their own Mortarhate label, which put out releases by other artists including Hagar The Womb, Icons of Filth, Lost Cherrees, The Apostles, Admit Your Shit and others.

In 1983 Steve Ignorant, at the time a member of the band Crass, guested on the band's pro-animal rights single "To A Nation of Animal Lovers." After the dissolution of Crass, Ignorant later became second vocalist for Conflict on a semi-permanent basis. This followed a 1986 gig in Brixton, London wherin he had joined the band on stage for a few numbers.

The band have always been outspoken regarding issues such as anarchism, animal rights, the anti-war movement and in their support for the organisation Class War, and a number of their gigs during the 1980s were followed by riots and disturbances. The band's 'Mortarhate' logo, originally designed by 'Nihilistic Nobody' is commonly mistaken as a reference to the initials CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament), but as quoted directly by paco the drummer for conflict is in actual fact a nihlist symbol. it incorporates two 'A's for anarchy and autonomy, and an 'N' for nihilism. The logo originally appeared around 1980 in Thanatos, a small circulation pamphlet produced by Toxic Graffity (sic) fanzine editor Mike Diboll.

The band continues to exist today, although their record releases and live performances are sporadic.

2) CONFLICT\CONFLИCT is an industrial death metal band from Moscow, Russia. Band formed in 2004, and finally released first LP, called "Prototip\Прототип", in february 2009. http://www.myspace.com/conflictmetal

3) Conflict is a Japanese breakbeats/downtempo unit name currently on the Soup-Disk/Corde Inc. labels.

4) Introducing Conflict, a west coast youth evangelist and gospel rap artist from Sacramento, California.

Violence?
With such a name as Conflict, most people would assume the title represents violence or war. Well, the name means just that, only in a different context. In such a world as the one we live in, corrupted by lust, abuse, addiction and a lack of sexual integrity, Conflict stands to counterattack society's ideas of morality, with God's divine purpose for His creation.

Vision
With a burden for today's generation of young people, Conflict's vision is to "speak life right into the face of death, and stand as an ambassador of Jesus Christ, to reconcile a love- relationship between God and His creation." Coming from a gang-related past and his father's fatal overdose of heroin, Conflict speaks a common language to young people of the urban culture

5) Conflict was a hardcore band from Tucson, AZ, together between 1982-1984. Fronted by the female vocalist/bassist Karen Allman, they played with the likes of Black Flag, Minor Threat, Ill Repute, Channel 3, D.O.A., and many more. They put out a self-released EP called "America's Right," then in 1983 they released their only studio album, "Last Hour" (on Placebo Records). They also have 3 songs on the compilation "This is Phoenix, Not the Circle Jerks." The band was known for their biting feminist lyrics in an era when hardcore was highly male-dominated.

5) Conflict Special Goa/Psytrance Project from Jerusalem, also known as Do-D-Idea.

Big A Little A
Conflict Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Big A, little A, bouncing B
The system might have got you but it won′t get me

External control are you gonna let them get you?
Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?
You say you want to ba yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you?
They′re out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you

Hello, hello, hello, this is the Lord God, can you hear?
Hellfire and damnation's what I've got for you down there
On earth I have ambassadors, archbishop, vicar, pope
We′ll blind you with morality, you′d best abandon any hope,
We're telling you you′d better pray cos you were born in sin
Right from the start we'll build a cell and then we′ll lock you in
We sit in holy judgement condemning those that stray
We offer our forgiveness, but first we'll make you pay

External control are you gonna let them get you?
Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?
You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they′ll let you?
They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you

Hello, hello, hello, now here's a massage from your queen
As figurehead of the status quo I set the social scene
I′m most concerned about my people, I want to give them peace
So I′m making sure they stay in line with my army and police
My prisons and my mental homes have ever open doors
For those amongst my subjects who dare to ask for more
Unruliness and disrespect are things I can't allow
So I′ll see the peasants grovel if they refuse to bow

External control are you gonna let them get you?
Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?
You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you?
They′re out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you

Introducing the Prime Sinister, she's a mother to us all
Like the dutch boy′s finger in the dyke her arse is in the wall
Holding back the future waiting for the seas to part
If Moses did it with is faith, she'll do it with an army
Who at times of threatened crisis are certain to be there
Guarding national heritage no matter what or where
Palaces for kings and queens, mansions for the rich
Protection for the wealthy, defence of privilege
They've learnt the ropes In Ireland, engaged in civil war
Fighting for the ruling classes in their battle against the poor
So Ireland′s just an island? It′s an island of the mind
Great Britain? Future? Bollocks, you'd better look behind
Round every other corner stands P.C. 1984
Guardian of the future, he′ll implement the law
He's there as a grim reminder that no matter what you do
Big brothers system′s always there with his beady eyes on you
From God to local bobby, in home and street and school
They've got your name and number while you′ve just got their rule
We've got to look for methods to undermine those powers
It's time to change the tables. The future must be ours

Big A, little A, bouncing B
The system might have got you but it won′t get me

Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
I am he and she is she but you′re the only you
No one else has got your eyes, can see the things you see
It's up to you to change your life and my life′s up to me
The problems that you suffer from are problems that you make
The shit we have to climb through is the shit we choose to take
If you don't like the life you live, change it now it′s yours
Nothing has effects if you don't recognise the cause
If the programme′s not the one you want, get up, turn off the set
It's only you that can decide what life you're gonna get
If you don′t like religion you can be the antichrist
If your tired of politics you can be an anarchist
But no one ever changed the church by pulling down a steeple
And you′ll never change the system by bombing number ten
Systems just aren't made of bricks they′re mostly made of people
You may send them into hiding, but they'll be back again
If you don′t like the rules they make, refuse to play their game
If you don't want to be a number, don′t give them your name
If you don't want to be caught out, refuse to hear their question
Silence is a virtue, use it for your own protection
They'll try to make you play their game, refuse to show your face
If you don′t want to be beaten down, refuse to join their race

Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
I am he and she is she but you′re they only you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Big A Little A" by Conflict are a critique of the systems of control that exist in society, including government, religion, and social norms. The first two verses address these issues, with the chorus repeating that "the system might have got you but it won't get me." The following verses then take a more specific look at the figures who maintain control, including the Queen ("I'm most concerned about my people"), the Prime Minister ("the Prime Sinister"), and the police ("P.C. 1984"). The final verse encourages listeners to be themselves and reject the societal norms and limitations that have been placed on them, concluding with the empowering message that "I am he and she is she but you're the only you."

Overall, the song is a call to action against the various forms of control present in society, encouraging listeners to think for themselves, make their own decisions, and be true to who they are as individuals. The lyrics are both critical and empowering, offering a message of hope and self-determination in the face of oppressive forces.

Line by Line Meaning

Big A, little A, bouncing B
The letters are bouncing around, representing the chaos of the system, that has captured many, but not the singer

The system might have got you but it won’t get me
The singer won't let the system control them, although it might have already taken control of other people

External control are you gonna let them get you?
Are you going to let external forces control you?

Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?
Do you want to be trapped in the limitations that are placed upon you?

You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you?
You claim you want to express your true self, but do you believe external forces will permit this?

They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you
The system is relentlessly trying to control and manipulate you

Hello, hello, hello, this is the Lord God, can you hear?
A reference to religious authority, who are claiming to be speaking directly to the listener

Hellfire and damnation's what I've got for you down there
The consequences of disobeying religious authority is a fiery, eternal punishment

On earth I have ambassadors, archbishop, vicar, pope
Religious authority extends to Earth, with clergy members acting as their representatives

We'll blind you with morality, you'd best abandon any hope
Religious authority will impose its morality, and there is little hope for those who oppose it

We're telling you you'd better pray cos you were born in sin
Religious authority teaches that all people are born sinful and in need of redemption

Right from the start we'll build a cell and then we'll lock you in
Through religious indoctrination, people are trapped within the confines of their faith

We sit in holy judgement condemning those that stray
Religious authority judges and condemns those who do not conform to their teachings

We offer our forgiveness, but first we'll make you pay
Religious authority claims to offer forgiveness, but demands payment or punishment first

Hello, hello, hello, now here's a massage from your queen
A reference to political authority, drawing on the idea of a monarchy

As figurehead of the status quo I set the social scene
The leader of the country sets the standard for societal norms

I'm most concerned about my people, I want to give them peace
The leader presents themselves as a benevolent protector of their citizens

So I'm making sure they stay in line with my army and police
The leader enforces their desired social order with military and law enforcement

My prisons and my mental homes have ever open doors
The government has facilities to incarcerate and institutionalize those who do not comply with societal norms

For those amongst my subjects who dare to ask for more
Individuals who question their position in society or wish to push for change are deemed problematic

Unruliness and disrespect are things I can't allow
Individualism and dissent are viewed as a threat to the social order

So I'll see the peasants grovel if they refuse to bow
If people do not conform to societal norms, the government will punish them

Introducing the Prime Sinister, she's a mother to us all
A reference to the leader of the government, who is presented as a nurturing figure

Like the dutch boy's finger in the dyke her arse is in the wall
The leader is attempting to hold back the flood of social change

Holding back the future waiting for the seas to part
The leader is attempting to prevent social progress

If Moses did it with his faith, she'll do it with an army
The leader is willing to use military force to enforce social norms and prevent progress

Who at times of threatened crisis are certain to be there
The army and police are always available to enforce the government's will

Guarding national heritage no matter what or where
The government's priority is to maintain their cultural and historical traditions

Palaces for kings and queens, mansions for the rich
The government caters to the elite, who benefit from their power

Protection for the wealthy, defence of privilege
The government seeks to preserve the privileges of the wealthy and powerful

They've learnt the ropes in Ireland, engaged in civil war
The government has experience suppressing rebellion and dissent, even engaging in armed conflict

Fighting for the ruling classes in their battle against the poor
The government protects the interests of the wealthy at the expense of the poor

So Ireland's just an island? It's an island of the mind
Ireland is an example of a larger issue of mental and societal confinement

Great Britain? Future? Bollocks, you'd better look behind
The artist questions the idea that the country has a positive future

Round every other corner stands P.C. 1984
A reference to George Orwell's '1984', implying the government is becoming more totalitarian

Guardian of the future, he'll implement the law
The police are seen as the enforcers of the government's will, implementing their laws

He's there as a grim reminder that no matter what you do
The police serve as a reminder of the government's control over society

Big brothers system's always there with his beady eyes on you
The government surveillance apparatus is always watching and monitoring its citizens

From God to local bobby, in home and street and school
Religious and political authority extends to all aspects of life, including things like law enforcement and education

They've got your name and number while you've just got their rule
The government has control over people's lives, while individuals have little power

We've got to look for methods to undermine those powers
The artist calls for rebellion or resistance against the government

It's time to change the tables. The future must be ours
The people must take control over their lives and their society

Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
Assert your individuality and pursue your own interests and desires

I am he and she is she but you're the only you
Everyone is unique and should embrace their individuality

No one else has got your eyes, can see the things you see
No one has the same perspective or experiences as you

It's up to you to change your life and my life′s up to me
Individuals have the power to change their own lives and contribute to societal change

The problems that you suffer from are problems that you make
Many problems are a result of one's own choices or inaction

The shit we have to climb through is the shit we choose to take
People often choose to endure difficult circumstances, rather than take action to change them

If you don't like the life you live, change it now it′s yours
Take control of your own life and actively work to change it for the better

Nothing has effects if you don't recognise the cause
Without understanding the root cause of a problem, it cannot be solved

If the programme′s not the one you want, get up, turn off the set
If you don't like the status quo, reject it and seek something different

It's only you that can decide what life you're gonna get
You are in control of your own fate and must take responsibility for your choices

If you don't like religion you can be the antichrist
Rejecting mainstream religion does not make someone inherently evil

If you're tired of politics you can be an anarchist
Rejecting traditional political structures does not make someone inherently chaotic or destructive

But no one ever changed the church by pulling down a steeple
Rebellion or resistance alone will not create change, a larger effort is necessary

And you'll never change the system by bombing number ten
Violent rebellion or terrorism is not an effective way to achieve societal change

Systems just aren't made of bricks they're mostly made of people
Societal structures are created and maintained by individuals

You may send them into hiding, but they'll be back again
Oppressed or marginalized individuals or groups will continue to resist and try to create change

If you don′t like the rules they make, refuse to play their game
Reject societal norms and create your own path

If you don't want to be a number, don't give them your name
Do not allow yourself to be identified solely by societal labels or expectations

If you don't want to be caught out, refuse to hear their question
Don't allow yourself to be trapped or manipulated by external forces

Silence is a virtue, use it for your own protection
Be cautious with what information you share or reveal to others

They'll try to make you play their game, refuse to show your face
Reject societal norms and standards that seek to control or manipulate you

If you don't want to be beaten down, refuse to join their race
Do not allow yourself to be oppressed or controlled by societal norms or expectations

Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
Assert your individuality and pursue your own interests and desires

I am he and she is she but you're they only you
Everyone is unique and should embrace their individuality

Writer(s): Composer Author Unknown, Peter Coomber, Steve Ignorant, Philip Andrew Clancey, Joy Muriel Elizabeth Haney

Contributed by Jordyn N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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