Their peculiar brand of politically driven retro-pop made an impression on the British pop charts during 1981-1982. Their biggest hit was Our lips are sealed, a retread of Go-go's 1981 song, which was co-written by Terry Hall. Other well-known tracks include The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum) and T'ain't What You Do (Its The Way That You Do It), recorded with the fledgling all-girl group Bananarama.
Fun Boy Three's music draws on influences such as vintage soul, ska, reggae, muzak and kitsch movie soundtracks.
The band split-up in 1984, and Terry hall went on to perform solo and also form The Colourfield.
The Lunatics
Fun Boy Three Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who want to twist the peoples' wrist
They're watching every move we make
We're all included on the list
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
And who am i to disagree
'cause when the madman flips the switch
The nuclear will go for me
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
I've seen the faces of starvation
But i just can not see the points
'cause there's so much food here today
That no one wants to take away
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
The lunatics have taken over the asylum, take away my right to choose
The lunatics have taken over the asylum, take away my point of view
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
The lunatics have taken over the asylum, take away my dignity,
Take these things away from me
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
The lunatics have taken over the asylum, take away my family,
Take away the right to speak
The lunatics have taken over the asylum take away my point of view,
Take away my right to choose
In Fun Boy Three's song "The Lunatics," the lyrics paint a picture of a society where the people are being oppressed by those in power. The clinic full of cynics is referring to those who are manipulating the public and controlling their every move. The line "We're all included on the list" speaks to the surveillance and monitoring of the public that is happening. The chorus, "The lunatics have taken over the asylum," brings attention to the fact that those in power are actually the ones who are crazy and unfit to lead.
The reference to nuclear war is a warning against the dangers of technology and the potential destruction it could bring. The cowboy who tells us "No nuclear" could be a nod to American foreign policy during the Cold War. The line "The nuclear will go for me" emphasizes that even though those in power may believe they are safe from the consequences of their actions, they too will suffer the consequences.
The final verse highlights the inequality present in the world. The mention of starvation juxtaposed with the abundance of food emphasizes the idea that resources are not being distributed fairly. The repetition of the chorus at the end, with slight changes to the lyrics, serves as a reminder that the situation is dire and the public's rights and dignity are being taken away.
Line by Line Meaning
I see a clinic full of cynics
I observe a medical institution that is full of people who are critical and distrusting
Who want to twist the peoples' wrist
Those people desire to control and manipulate the masses
They're watching every move we make
Their surveillance is constantly monitoring our actions
We're all included on the list
Everyone is being monitored and tracked
The lunatics have taken over the asylum
The insane or irrational people have gained control of a previously stable situation
No nuclear the cowboy told us
The cowboy instructed us not to use any nuclear weapons
And who am i to disagree
The singer acknowledges that they have no reason to object
'cause when the madman flips the switch
If the irrational person in power activates the weapon
The nuclear will go for me
The artist and the rest of the public will be negatively affected
I've seen the faces of starvation
The artist has witnessed people suffering from extreme hunger
But i just can not see the points
However, the singer cannot understand the reasons behind it
'cause there's so much food here today
There is an abundance of food available in the artist's current environment
That no one wants to take away
But no one wants to distribute it to those in need
Take away my right to choose
The lunatics have deprived the singer of their freedom to make decisions
Take away my point of view
The irrational ones have eliminated the singer's opinion
Take away my dignity,
The artist has been stripped of their self-respect
Take these things away from me
The artist wants their rights and opinions to be restored
Take away my family,
The singer has lost loved ones due to the actions of the lunatics
Take away the right to speak
The insane ones have denied the singer the ability to communicate freely
Take away my point of view,
The irrational ones have eliminated the artist's opinion
Take away my right to choose
The lunatics have deprived the artist of their freedom to make decisions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Lynval Golding, Terry Hall, Neville Staples
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fasterfffaster
Terry Hall has escaped the asylum. What a legend. His voice, his words, his memories live on. RIP TH
Bobby Hainey
Defo dear voice amazin
rangatang100
Gotta get the nackas oot
Paul Wise
respect to you for saying tbose words, the lunatics
ZK___420___ZK
When Terry talks I forget that racism is even a thing. I shouldn't but I do.
We're all together in this, feels good to remember that...
frédéric guzman
@Bobby Hainey je tu ni vuY qu se
Rogue Riderhood
This should be the UK's national anthem.
Alba Gu Brath
Bring down Westminster!
James Kellard
@Alba Gu Brath Why? its the finest neo gothic lunatic asylum ever built
Alba Gu Brath
@James Kellard lol