John Watts recorded and performed as 'John Watts' during 1981-83 before forming The Cry in 1984. Watts later continued with a new incarnation of Fischer-Z in 1987, with him being the only original member. Albums were released with a similar line-up until 1995 when John Watts returned to being 'J M Watts', 'Watts' and John Watts. In 2002 the moniker was revived once more for the album "Ether". There was a 2004 reunion of the original band for one short show which featured on the Garden Party DVD which was released along with the Fischer-Z Highlights 1979-2004 25th anniversary compilation album.
After this John continued performing and recording solo with the most recent album being 2005's 'Real Life Is Good Enough', "It Has To Be" (2006) and "Morethanmusic & Films" (2009).
In august 2010 John Watts had a couple of shows in the Netherlands with his current band (Sam Walker on drums and Matthew Gest on keyboard) playing good old Fischer-Z repertoire. He presented this band as "the new Fischer-Z". Though John Watts focuses on his solo efforts more than on Fischer-Z (no new releases under that name) lately he revives the band when concert tent to be focused on that period of his live.
In England
Fischer-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Desert island views.
Elusive in England.
Forget the fabrications.
Give us all a clue.
Have faith in horizon.
Intercity interlude.
Jack and Jill rub thigh's and think it's rude.
Lovers losing sense of time.
In England...In England...In England...In England...
(Ooooooo that's nice, Ooooooo Paradise).
Many manifestos.
Nailed up on the wall.
Out of the blue...Only for you.
Printed regulations.
Quick to disapprove.
Restrictions restrictions.
Skin and bones can't find a way.
To keep the British blues at bay.
Underneath the surface laughter.
Voices quiver in the dark.
In England...In England...In England...In England...
(Ooooooo that's nice, Ooooooo Paradise).
The lyrics of Fischer-Z's song "In England" depict a critical perspective on the British society's mundane and restrictive nature. The opening lines, "Colourful compartments. Desert island views" seem paradoxical, as England is often associated with dullness and monotony, rather than vibrant colors and tropical beauty. However, the following lines, "Elusive in England. Forget the fabrications. Give us all a clue. Have faith in horizon" indicate a sense of longing for adventure and escape from the mundane. The reference to Jack and Jill rubbing thighs and feeling it's rude suggests the conservative nature of British society, where even innocent gestures are deemed inappropriate.
The song goes on to critique the strict regulations and manifestos that stifle creativity and individualism, "Many manifestos. Nailed up on the wall. Printed regulations. Quick to disapprove. Restrictions restrictions." The repeated line, "In England...In England...In England...In England..." emphasizes the monotonous and unchanging nature of the society, seemingly devoid of any excitement or rebelliousness. The final lines, "Underneath the surface laughter. Voices quiver in the dark" indicate a sense of suppressed frustrations and unfulfillment that underlies the seemingly content exterior of British society.
Line by Line Meaning
Colourful compartments.
Various stratifications and divisions exist in society.
Desert island views.
England is an island, geographically isolated from others.
Elusive in England.
Finding a sense of identity and belonging can be difficult in England.
Forget the fabrications.
Ignore the misconceptions and untruths about England.
Give us all a clue.
Provide insight into how to find meaning and purpose in life in England.
Have faith in horizon.
Believe in the future and the potential it holds for England.
Intercity interlude.
The brief moments of respite during journeys between cities in England.
Jack and Jill rub thigh's and think it's rude.
Intimacy and affection are not always readily accepted in English society.
Keeping close along the line.
Staying within the confines of societal norms and rules in England.
Lovers losing sense of time.
The experience of being lost in love and losing track of time.
In England...In England...In England...In England...
Reinforcing the country of focus and emphasizing its complexities.
(Ooooooo that's nice, Ooooooo Paradise).
Sarcastically commenting on the struggles and difficulties experienced in England.
Many manifestos.
Numerous beliefs and ideologies present in English society.
Nailed up on the wall.
Ideas and beliefs are often fixed and difficult to change in English society.
Out of the blue...Only for you.
Unpredictable moments of happiness, often experienced only by individuals.
Printed regulations.
Rules and restrictions that are often clearly defined in English society.
Quick to disapprove.
English society can have a tendency towards judgement and disapproval.
Restrictions restrictions.
Further emphasizing the limitations and constraints of English society.
Skin and bones can't find a way.
The struggle to find meaning and purpose in life despite physical existence.
To keep the British blues at bay.
Trying to ward off feelings of sadness, loneliness or depression that can be associated with life in England.
Underneath the surface laughter.
The happiness and joy in English society may not always be genuine or sincere.
Voices quiver in the dark.
The fear and uncertainty that underlies English society.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Globanus Opp
The bass playing on this album is just perfect. The songs are really good, but the bass makes it great.
Jc S
Fischer-Z und the Clash haben damals in meinem Kopf ganz tüchtig aufgeräumt - DAAAANKEEE!!!! Ich freue mich drauf, dass meine Frau und ich am 16.05. in Wien noch mal dabei sein dürfen!
Gisi Gisborne
Eins der besten New Wave Alben ever.
djmusicjac
awesome totally love the alternative industrial new wave
langs57
Great song about a great country.
gonçalo nuno durao
Great ! An intervencionist Song from that time (ends of 70s, beguinings of 80s)
bmot3
I'm only 15 but still i like this musik so much.
Simon
26 now =)
Signal - Trees - life - dust
B'est fuckin' album I ever heard
frau s
hat auch nach vielen Jahren immer noch was ;o)