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.
Killing Time
Fischer-Z Lyrics
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Or try to cleanse my family
I'm just another refugee
I won't look back now
Smoke is rising from our house
You've cut us off and chased us out
There's nothing left to cry about
How many lives will it take us to be sure
To recognize it's killing time
Don't make your mistakes on me
Your threats, your lies, your perjury
'Cause I want to be what I want to be
I won't look back now
Children trapped beneath the stars
In skeletons of broken cars
And no one even stops to ask
I won't look back now
How many lives will it take us to be sure
To recognise it's killing time
The lyrics of "Killing Time" by Fischer-Z are a powerful message against hate, violence, and mistreatment towards refugees. The song opens with a plea to not take out hate on the singer or his family, suggesting that they have been forced to flee their home due to violence and persecution. The imagery of smoke rising from their house and being chased out creates a vivid picture of their desperate situation. Despite this, the singer refuses to look back and dwell on the past.
The chorus brings the message to the forefront, asking how many lives it will take for people to recognize that it is "killing time," meaning that the mistreatment and violence against refugees must stop. The singer warns against making mistakes and telling lies, as they only perpetuate the harm done to innocent people. The final verse paints a heartbreaking picture of children trapped in broken cars, with no one stopping to help. Yet still, the singer will not look back, determined to be what they want to be.
The song is a poignant commentary on the refugee crisis and the human cost of war and persecution. It expresses the pain and suffering of those who are trapped in these situations, and the urgent need for compassion and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't take out your hate on me
Please don't blame me for your hatred and anger.
Or try to cleanse my family
Don't try to punish my family for something that we are not responsible for.
I'm just another refugee
I am a person who has been forced to leave my home and I am seeking refuge elsewhere.
I won't look back now
I won't dwell on the past or let it hold me back from moving forward.
Smoke is rising from our house
Our home is on fire and we are in danger.
You've cut us off and chased us out
You have forced us out of our home and made it impossible for us to return.
There's nothing left to cry about
There is no reason to cry or mourn over what has been lost.
How many lives will it take us to be sure
How many people need to suffer and die before we realize the severity of the situation?
To recognize it's killing time
We need to acknowledge that this is a time of great danger and death.
Don't make your mistakes on me
Please don't use me as a scapegoat for your own errors or wrongdoings.
Your threats, your lies, your perjury
Your intimidation, deceit, and false testimony are not going to work on me.
'Cause I want to be what I want to be
I have the right to choose my own path and live my life as I see fit.
Children trapped beneath the stars
Innocent children are suffering while the world looks on.
In skeletons of broken cars
These children are trapped in the wreckage of cars that have been destroyed by the fighting.
And no one even stops to ask
No one cares enough to stop and help or even ask if these children are okay.
I won't look back now
I won't let myself be haunted by the tragedies and atrocities of the past.
How many lives will it take us to be sure
How many more people need to die before we realize that we need to take action?
To recognise it's killing time
We need to understand that this is a time of great violence and bloodshed.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PETER EDWARD CLARKE, SUSAN JANET BALLION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind