Smash It Up Pt. 1
Damned The Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We've been crying now for much too long
And now we're gonna dance to a different song
I'm gonna scream and shout til my dying breath
I'm gonna smash it up til there's nothing left

Oh oh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up
Oh oh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up

People call me villain oh its such a shame
Maybe its my clothes must be to blame
I don't even care if I look a mess
Don't want to be a sucker like all the rest

Oh oh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up
Oh oh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up

Smash it up [Repeat: x5]

Smash it up, you can keep your Krishna burgers
Smash it up, and your Glastonbury hippies
Smash it up, you can stick your frothy lager
Smash it up, and your blow wave hairstyles

And everybody's smashing things down
I said everybody's smashing things down yeah

Overall Meaning

In "Smash It Up Pt. 1," Damned The embraces a rebellious and anarchistic tone, railing against conformity and societal expectations. The song begins with a nod to the pain and sadness the singer has been experiencing, suggesting that they have been crying for too long and it's time for a change. The chorus, "Oh oh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up," is a call to arms to reject the established order and break free from the chains of conformity. The singer declares that they will shout and scream until they die and smash everything up until there is nothing left.

The song's second verse focuses on the singer's sense of alienation from society. They make reference to people calling them a villain and blaming their clothes. However, this doesn't phase the singer, and they boldly declare that they don't care about looking messy or being seen as different. They'd rather be unique than be a "sucker like all the rest." The final verse continues the theme of rejecting societal norms, calling out specific targets like Krishna burgers, Glastonbury hippies, frothy lager, and blow wave hairstyles. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the song's message of rebellion and destruction.

Line by Line Meaning

We've been crying now for much too long
We've been sad and hopeless for too long

And now we're gonna dance to a different song
We're going to change our ways and live differently

I'm gonna scream and shout til my dying breath
I will shout and protest for as long as I live

I'm gonna smash it up til there's nothing left
I'll destroy everything until there's nothing left

People call me villain oh its such a shame
People think I'm a bad person, it's unfortunate

Maybe its my clothes must be to blame
Perhaps my attire is the reason why

I don't even care if I look a mess
I don't mind if I appear disheveled

Don't want to be a sucker like all the rest
I don't want to be a fool and follow everyone else

Smash it up, you can keep your Krishna burgers
I'll destroy everything, including things you like such as Krishna burgers

Smash it up, and your Glastonbury hippies
I'll destroy everything, including Glastonbury hippies

Smash it up, you can stick your frothy lager
I'll destroy everything, even your frothy lager

Smash it up, and your blow wave hairstyles
I'll destroy everything, including your blow wave hairstyles

And everybody's smashing things down
Everyone is destroying everything

I said everybody's smashing things down yeah
I really mean it, everyone is destroying everything

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@idaliciofunk

4y↑41

Lyrics:
We've been crying now for much too long
And now we're gonna dance to a different song
I'm gonna scream and shout til my dying breath
I'm gonna smash it up til theres nothing left
Oooh ooh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up
Oooh ooh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up
People call me villain oh its such a shame
Maybe its my clothes must be to blame
I don't even care if I look a mess
Don't wanna be a sucker like all the rest
Oooh ooh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up
Oooh ooh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up
Smash it up
Smash it up
Smash it up
Smash it up
Smash it up
Smash it up, you can keep your krishna burgers
Smash it up, and your Glastonbury hippies
Smash it up, you can stick your frothy lager
Smash it up, and your blow wave hairstyles
And everybody's smashing things down
I said everybody's smashing things down yeah

@lanachan5136

4y↑8

Damned, The
Machine Gun Etiquette
Smash It Up(pt 2)
We've been crying now for much too long
And now we're gonna dance to a different song
Gonna sream and shout til my dying breath
Gonna smash it up til theres nothing left
()
Oooh ooh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up
Oooh ooh smash it up, smash it up, smash it up
People call me villain oh its such a shame
Maybe its my clothes must be to blame
I don't even care if i look a mess
Don't wanna be a sucker like all the rest
()
Smash it up Smash it up, you can keep your krishna burgers
Smash it up, and your glastonbury hippies
Smash it up, you can stick your frothy lager
Smash it up, and your blow wave hairstyles
()
And everybodys smashing things now
I said everybodys smashing things now yeah

All comments from YouTube:

@BoroAsh

4y↑113

This band had such a influence on me as a teen. At 54 now I still love their music.

@NormAppleton

2y↑1

I'm 55, youngun. I agree.

@musiquelondres5453

2y↑3

@Norm Appleton Yeah but that was a year ago :) He's the same age as us both :)

@milfredcummings717

@Doom Scrolling Damn, he is Dr. Dexter Holland!!! https://youtu.be/t-c9J1qub1w 🤣🤣🤣

@jimbogarner144

1y↑2

Turning 60 in two weeks. Been with The Damned since Phantasmagoria, so I'm still a noobie. lol. Smash it up! #chinho

@stevekennedy8264

28w

Captain say what . captain say what you want!

2 More Replies...

@wendyfreeman314

4y↑67

My fave Damned song and still sounds great 40 years later🤣

@gogoyubari366

3y↑22

One of the greatest rock and roll songs ever!

@timlowe9346

5y↑18

Just reconnected with this song after 30 years.....omg it is truly superb

@percapita1239

3y↑63

"Probably one of the best albums in the world" - The Damned

@NormAppleton

@JONATHAN SUTCLIFFE LOL

@NormAppleton

2y↑4

Well, if they say it, I believe it!

@NormAppleton

2y↑1

Well, if they say so

@rudyvigo

2y↑2

for your world, don't generalize

@torstenandersson2340

20w

@@rudyvigo it was a commercial, like the beer. Hi, i´m Per Capita´s twin.

@criointhenews

15w

Saw them in Budapest, live, 3/4 original members (-scabies). I brought people along who never dreamed such music existed. Then they were blown away that this is almost 50 years old. It continues to change lives.

@idaliciofunk

4y↑41

@fretworker66

4y↑7

Nibbled to death by an okapi
Nibbled to death by an okapi
(Fade)

@Dillboy

9y↑196

One of the best songs EVER

@kymbawhitelion2603

9y↑7

Agreed!

@Dillboy

9y↑3

LOVE IT

@fuzzywumble

6y↑3

listening in 2018, agreed.

@susanb.1113

6y↑1

THE best ......

@taketoaida2003

5y↑2

David Brown OW RIGHT!!!

8 More Replies...

@johnmcvicar8475

2y↑9

BRILLANT ONE OF THE TOP TEN INTRO OF ALL TIME ROCK ON GUYS 💣

@tonydiego5827

31w↑2

Heard this for the first time yesterday. AMAZING! I can’t stop listening to it!

@patthewoodboy

7y↑309

I'm 57 and the young lad I work with is 24 ..this is our Friday afternoon anthem :-)

@delstrain8590

5y↑15

Punks not dead its a religion now. Strummer and Dave apostles.

@NormAppleton

5y↑8

Good man

Back when Napster was gonna get wrecked. I spent a weekend uploading Magazine, the Buzzcocks, Dury, Johna Lewie Can, Holger ENO...etc. He had smash it up but had never actually listened to it. He loved and I mean loved this song. Nice thing when your musical Jesuit finds something he missed.

It is greater than great.

@malvinmainwaring3443

5y↑2

Brilliant hope you both do, god if just one person hears a great band like this great.try search and destroy iggy

@ericcrawford9827

4y↑10

Survive brother, I made it to 56, pills, drugs, alcohol, the works, I can still stand up, it's painful, but I can. I saw The Damned by mistake. Local festival 'thing'. I think it became a career, I think they tried to hard. The goth-big hair shit was a disaster. Eloise? Awful. Keep safe. x

@patthewoodboy

4y↑16

we no longer work together . I work as a carer now and he works for a big glass manufacturer , we still meet up for beer and chats .. until Covid bollox.. as soon as the pubs are open we will have a beer together :-)

21 More Replies...

@foto21

1y↑3

The 'A Day in the Life' of punk rock. Ridiculously underrated at least by the mainstream. I don't know what else anyone could want from a song. Still only barely over 5 mins with a beautiful slow guitar and bass introduction. For punk rock, it sure starts out like a late 60s melodic song, then turns into punk song. The end is hilarious.

This was one of those bands that was pure talent and intent. The way their songs are put together are not quite 100% happenstance, but planning won't get you there. This is a band living its life, not calculating. It's why the energy comes through so effortlessly.

@MrSotaPhonk

8y↑36

So glad I had an older brother, he put me onto this when I was 11 and fell in love. This was Amsterdam in 2003, I caught the nearest tram line to "Independent Outlet" (Skate shop/Record store) as soon as I could and grabbed Machine Gun Etiquette, The Damned BBC Sessions and Damned Damned Damned. Of course I moved back to Minneapolis when I was 13 and none of my friends knew about The Damned or Subhumans or even The Misfits really. Ahh, the sad reality of life in a suburban bubble.

@mattborgeson1360

8y↑15

saw these guys last summer in chicago at riot fest, they still can rock out hard! loved being able to see them finally

@mattborgeson1360

8y↑4

they also closed with this song I believe

@sideeffectpunkband

26w

wow this comment would be old now woaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

@joyceslaton233

6y↑10

If you put on part 2 at any house party, everyone goes out of their mind dancing

@AdaptiveApeHybrid

29w

The Damned are legendary imo.

This was one of the first punk bands I heard as a kid. My mom loved their cover of Alone Again Or and I grew up as the internet started to blossom. I was always eager to look things up and absorb information so this band sent me down a musical rabbit hole.

This band had such an impact on me. As far as I can tell, this was one of the first poppy punk bands ever. They'll always have a special place in my heart

@snfu6574

5y↑7

One of the best bands ever

@allanbrown8394

1y↑5

Seen them last night in Glasgow. So glad they played this. Seen that with previous dates they hadn’t. Pleasant surprise. Brilliant band.

@ephemere82

41w↑1

first part is in my head since 2 months. can't get it out of my mind. amazing

@Klaus.anal.Schwab

2y↑1

Love this song so much!!

@cristianocris9503

4y↑4

This music is wonderful!!!!

@brutalgrapes

51w↑3

love this track so much

@stevekennedy8264

47w

Cool sensible s coming to nz in July !!!!

@user-jb7et9iq2r

10y↑1

Such good and bad times with this song. Been well over 30 years and I'll always love this song.. Damned.. all their songs.. Thanks for the post!

@iliasgkalgkanopoulos8397

8y↑4

amazing version. primary new wave in 79. masterpiece!!!!

@contabilidad03

4y↑12

I heard about The Damned when I heard "Alone Again Or" on a radio station in Lima, Perú in 2017. Later I discovered "New Rose" and found out more about them. Now I love them.

@Dontmarryher

4y↑4

I hope you found out more about Love the group that did the original alone again or as well both excellent bands for their time.

@joeyhuebner10

2y↑1

Love was a great group, they did the original 'Alone Again Or'. 'Seven and Seven Is' and 'A House Is Not A Motel' are some other great tracks.

@charlottesometimes1278

2y↑19

I can still play this flawlessly on bass as if I were 16 again. I'm 43

@iandavis5739

Same here, and I'm 58 !!

@andrewanderson1755

2y↑5

Same! And I'm 167!

@BoudicaJ

50w

... what an utterly interesting story ...

@lanachan5136

4y↑8

@mephistofelies

7y↑3

this is some good stuff , man!!

@dj-um7el

1y↑1

Nice yet rough!
Love it, actually a 10/10.

@ResidentMich

2y↑2

I was so lucky to be guested to their anniversary gig in Manchester which was recorded for the DVD in Manchester. The Captain came on alone and did a turn with the guitar. Absolutely amazing gig. The guy who took me to the gig for my birthday died a few days later in a car crash so it was even more personal for me. Personally I am glad it was these guys who were creditted with THE FIRST punk single.

@stevekennedy8264

28w↑1

Sad ending to your friend but luckily he saw the damned❤

@ejesg1

25w↑1

Captain Sensible came up with the guitar part for Smash it Up after he heard Marc Bolan had died in a car crash ,they had become friends as The Damned and T Rex were touring together in 1977.

@paulamichel4061

25w

@@ejesg1 thanks for that info. The Captain is so underrated as a guitarist due to his on stage antics.

@IllllllllllI

22 years of age n absolutely love this song proper underrated classic

@michaelsimmons5710

3y↑7

Got this for Christmas when I was 16....still love it at 57

@NormAppleton

I notice 54-57 is the sweet spot. Moi Aussi

@jonford6119

@Norm Appleton Me too. At my age, 56, people expect me to be sober, dignified and respectable. I constantly disappoint them........

@iandavis5739

Bought it in 1979. Still on my regular playlist at 58. Brilliant album that's aged really well, unlike me !

@johnradcliffe6593

GREAT SONG GREAT BAND!!!! PERIOD.

@BobJones-np4te

6y↑11

The intro to this song (+until it kicks in speeds up) reminds me of something RUSH would do. It's very proggey / early alt rockish. And it ends sounding like a Guns n Roses song or something (of whom I'm not the biggest fan of, but they still invoke me ) All these things are just fascinating aspects of this band. It's awesome! A very quality band.

@frankiesaenz7265

5y↑2

YESS!! exactly what i always thought. slightly proggy yet introspective

@dave_creamcheese1496

5y↑4

Please never compare The Damned to the shit posers that are the guns n roses

@mightyV444

Both The Damned and Rush are among my all-time favourite bands 😁 Part 1 of this song also reminds me of early Cure 🙂 'Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde' is another Damned song with proggy elements; It even has a part in 5/4 in it! 😀

@foto21

1y↑1

yeah, for punk rock, the opener was a radical choice.

@seankilburn7200

@foto21com It’s my favourite part. I think it works really well

@tekunin5407

4y↑10

2 versions of Smash It Up, 2 versions of Dick Grayson, and 2 different vehicles getting stolen. Some things never change lol

@nathanc5778

3y↑1

Under-rated album.

@jasonpanozzo3317

5y↑12

Hearing this again at 41 my heart is in my throat and water in my eye

@0191mart1

5y↑1

56 mate
Great memories

@kennyloggins465

Beautiful song :)

@petekelsall4299

3y↑19

Rest in peace Mark ‘Summie’ Sumner, a Damned fan through and through, wherever You are I hope Your Smashing things up.

@wowomah6194

10y↑64

Really sounds like the Prototype for much Post-Punk work...look at the Cure, the Smiths, and so on...cool

@TigerCeltKing

9y↑3

And public image limited dont' forget :D Fantastic bands mate! :)

@gao1258

8y↑4

+Wowo Mah and Rolling Stone left the Damned off their greatest Punk Rock lps list ; ;

@fozzilla123

6y↑4

The Damned are the reason we have Punk. Thats why my man.

@vodaploda

5y↑1

hahahah

@ferroxglideh5621

@Vaughanie heh heh heh

@burningandunconsumed

2y↑1

Of all the one-off tracks on punk albums that seem designed to prove the band can compose and play understated and technically demanding music if and when they wish, Part 1 might be the very best.

@glenngummere4864

They put on the best show I’ve ever been to in Dallas 😢 still sound great love them great memories

@patthewoodboy

8y↑9

this is me and my work mates friday anthem ...we play it when we got the work out on time ..we smashed it :-)

@imagem812

1y↑8

I'm 61. I'll still be listening to this when I'm 91. I'll smash it up at the old folks home. Lol.

@jozwoz

36w

I'm 46 and loved this band forever.

@sundog6820

30w

bangers for us 70's kids ☠💋

@seanqueripel6230

46w

Still love this tune, 57 now and still Rockin 😂

@Dillboy

9y↑4

Brilliant stuff takes me back!

@canthony722

8y↑7

The beginning and the very end are my favorite parts (melodically for the beginning intro) and the part at the end where they are doing kind of a Beatles-esque thing"... aahhh say eveeerry body's smahing things dowwnn..." Great tune

@mightyV444

3y↑1

Part 1 is inspired and dedicated to Marc Bolan, who'd helped the Damned during their early days by taking them on tour with his band T-Rex and to open for them 🙂

@seankilburn7200

@The Mighty 'V' Good to know. That’s definitely the best part of the song in my opinion. Big fan of Bolan as well

@mightyV444

@Sean Kilburn - I quite like him myself, and 'Hot Love' has been my T-Rex favourite since my childhood in the 70's 😀 And I feel the same way about 'Smash It Up' like you do; I quite often play Pt.I when I have a bit of a noodle on my guitar 😊 But I don't really play it like Captain Sensible is showing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owq0qa2dgFE 😄

@adrianbSept29

4y↑2

The best band in the universe

@jacobworth1742

2y↑1

Very underrated good song

@cristianocris9503

4y↑1

Wonderful!!!!!

@Lestos66

32w

Sheer class!🎉

@careycorson8003

This and Yesterday's Numbers by the Flamin Goovies are two of the most cathartic songs ever.

@gamalsaba2783

3y↑3

I'm 55 years old and I Smash it Up!!

@tubularbelter

I'm away to put this on and jump around with my Gibson SG, I love playing this song still at 54.

@171apples171

Holy shit im 37 seconds in and my mind is already blown. Good stuff, never heard this part before.

@rebeccarail3637

4y↑1

Simply beautiful. I love this band so very muchachos Mistress Bex 💋

@paulwatkins2579

48w↑1

Brilliant album. R.I.P Algy Gray

@norbertovazquez1981

10y↑2

Esto siempre me alegra.

@fuckweedMegafayce

3y↑2

RIP Dug, my brother who clued me into these. Smash it up

@newmediadenmark_

3y↑1

Great song.

@josundjosund4055

4y↑5

Havent hear this song for years, classic punk song, ooh ooh, Smash it up, makes me want to do rebellious stuff, but its too cold outside!

@davidthorley6902

Had the vinyl way back playing pretend drums on my mums couch just afford sticks lol but remember the damned were a big influence on my early years of music god bless 🙌

@percapita1239

I can´t even tell how greaT AN OLD ALBUM IS HERE without getting told off, net as usual.

@kevinwright1757

4y↑1

They were nice lads too this day never experienced a pleasure of another band they smashed it like good boys do🤪🤪😝

@martcads2025

4y↑1

Best band ever saw them in Pompey years ago

@raingalexia2524

5y↑4

Hits differently when you know Smash it Up was a tribute to Marc Bolan.

@kennyloggins465

4y↑1

Really?

@PedroConejo1939

4y↑1

Nah.

@mightyV444

@Kenny Loggins - Yes, Captain Sensible mentions it here, in his guitar lesson of Pt.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owq0qa2dgFE&t=2s

@MiaMeezy

Brought in the New Year 2023 with nothing but the best!
🖤The Damned 2023🖤

@wayneroehrich3264

38w

A beautiful tribute to Marc bolan.

@triciak3935

9y↑1

First goth band for me, it moved me over the genres

@paulbuttress7279

6y↑1

Great to see them again at the weekend at The Gently Arena Birmingham on Saturday

@mbrady2329

1y↑1

Machine Gun Etiquette, the album where The Damned started to open up about their prog influences.

@danscott3880

A great New Wave post punk song.

@peteradams982

2y↑1

I'm 67 ,they still sound great.

@markgerstenfeld1305

2y↑1

Me too, also love it. I had the honor of introducing them for The Last Damned Show at the Cameo Theatre on Miami Beach. So fucking cool

@lucasjrl7748

8y↑1

Surf music, muito bom!!!

@michaelhowitt1318

2y↑1

Still Smashing it Up

@denisealderton9791

5y↑7

I love this song makes me happy. Reminds me of my younger self ha

@bernicehenry9738

4y↑5

MY SUPPOSED PUNK DAYS! THANX BOYS...

@gmas8589

2y↑1

That beautiful (part 1) intro. could be interpreted as a metaphor for transition from "any other music" to early Punk...?

@RD-ox3ce

9y↑17

Smash it Up is got to be one of the best fucking songs ever 👍

@jeremyp245

3y↑3

I only ever heard the Offspring cover from Batman Forever which has always been one of my favourites songs. This is good too

@mightyV444

My teenage Sons too like the Offspring version better, after hearing it in the same movie.

@babylonkid

Me too. We were kids and loved Batman and real music was new and exciting. How were supposed to know it was a cover. Offspring did a great cover. I like them both.

@HassanCodA-od8hm

32w

Like i was saying. 👉. 💕💕💕👉. 🍥💥
🦋
The Damned were first band i ever did see as a teenager. 🤩. So Good. 💕💕💕

@theopaijmans6521

9y↑36

greatest intro ever.

@m1grandads830

4y↑1

Don't forget the actual song aswell

@kevinwright1757

Hey wot about curtain call c,mon

@daviddalby4481

7y↑1

The real smash it up is coming soon and you won't care about anything apart from being damned 😎

@gillianoates2727

5y↑1

This song is good for me just now cos reminds me of 80s and my brother

@spiderjerusalem8284

4y↑2

I can´t believe this song actually appeared in the last episode of Netflix Titans, it was quite an unexpected surprise.

@kennyloggins465

OOOOOh smash it up!

@corwinblack4072

4y↑1

Way I got here.. They have very decent taste in music.

@nopretribrapture2318

17w

Great to hear this again after all these years 😁

@deansacca781

2y↑2

So underrated.....

@andreymartindejas2157

3y↑6

when music was music

@RaSillet

7y↑24

amidst these dark fucking times we still have frank. im so thankful and grateful for this man

@user-bi4oz7qw5s

7y↑2

Shia Labeouf me too

@MartyMcFly88

44w

The Offspring does an amazing cover of this

@historyofrockmusic-mostpow3826

6y↑91

best intro ever

@pigface2862

Seagulls is good tòo.

@paologrimaldi7906

3y↑1

The Damned best song ...

@NormAppleton

2y↑2

I feel like every person that loves this also loves Magazine and the Stranglers

@davidbolger2000AD

34w

Or Motörhead and TANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@aggviralbenbow834

I’ll second that Per!
I tell you what Per this lot influenced me so much that I thought did it and released an album yesterday named ‘Collective Dissonance’ by Aggviral B3nbow. One of the tracks ‘Take the Kill’ is definitely a Damned influenced tribute!

@mr.fracassado7236

7y↑2

the guitar its wonderfull

@Tinxtin100

4y↑1

yes one of the songs of my live !

@anarchycity2012

5y↑1

この曲を聴くと現在自分の置かれてる立場なんてどうでも良くなって何もかも放り捨てたくなっちゃうんです(^-^;)

@seamans90

3y↑1

holy shit this slaps

@spiderjerusalem8284

8y↑33

Lets see how those "Indie bands" do something better than this, it´s impossible

@dyr234

6y↑5

indie bands are gay especially today. they can't touch bands like the damned

@MrHoefnix

5y↑5

There is little to relieve the boredom in indie music as the same hash is re-hashed again and again. I don't even know why they bother making it!

@under3038

4y↑2

You people think too highly of yourselves

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