1982 saw GBH's first LP, City Baby Attacked By Rats. The album was marked lyrically with harsh criticism of British and European culture, typical of UK punk. It was also full of violence, morbidity (especially in reference to the song "Passenger On The Menu", which describes in graphic detail the experiences of the passengers on the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571), atheism, nihilism, social anarchism, and generalised absurdity. However not political, the album's lyrics do seem remarkably socially aware. This kind of content would later follow up in later GBH releases. Musically, the album was loud, and fast, with most songs staying under three minutes, typical of the hardcore punk genre. This is also a trademark of future GBH releases.
In 1983 the band changed their name to simply GBH, arguably just because the word "Charged" in front of their name had dropped from the lingo of many of their fans. (The name change was announced at a gig in the now defunct 'Golden Eagle' public house, where GBH were playing along with ex-Hawkwind sax player Nik Turner's 'Inner City Unit').
GBH are known to be pioneers of the UK82 second wave of British punk rock in the 1980s, along with fellow pioneers Discharge, Broken Bones, The Exploited, The Varukers. and The Skeptix.
The band has, for the most part, kept true to its original punk rock roots since its formation, unlike many other former punk bands, especially hardcore bands, who later formed the Post-Punk genre of the mid to late 80s. However the band has experimented with, alongside many other hardcore punk bands, notably The Exploited, a bit of what is known as metal crossover. Metal Crossover is when punk bands use riffs of heavy metal in their music, usually just as a break in the monotony of the traditional two and three chord, punk rock sound. Some punk rock purists argue that when punk bands do this they break from the original punk sound, and therefore become simply metal bands. The band, though, maintains that they are, in fact, still a punk rock band. However, the band has done this quite a lot, especially experimenting with it heavily in their 1992 release Church of the Truly Warped. This sound carried over even into their latest LPs. However, they have been falling back more on their original punk rock sound roots recently.
The band is still active and touring, even among many circulating rumours about a break up. The band maintains a strong cult following both in England and the rest of Europe, as well as in America and Japan, where some say that punk is still in its elementary to mid-stages.
How Come
GBH Lyrics
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How come we fill that gap in your void?
How come come there's so many starving in the world?
How come a swollen belly ain't fun for boys and girls?
How come, how come, yeah how come?
How come, how come, yeah how come?
How come, how come, yeah how come?
How come there's people dying in holy wars?
How come you hound us over our little vices?
How come you need us to get you out of a crisis?
How come the powers that be close another plant?
How come eternal school kids are getting a bigger grant?
How come so many leaders speaking in forked tongues?
How come the evil prosper?
How come the good die young?
The song "How Come" by GBH is a powerful social commentary that questions the actions of those in power and highlights the suffering of the masses. The lyrics of the song seek answers to the many injustices and challenges faced by people around the world.
The first question asked in the song, "How come we suffer cause your paranoid?" reflects the effects that the actions of those in power have on regular people. The lyrics suggest that people suffer because of the paranoia and insecurities of those in authority. The next question, "How come there's so many starving in the world?" draws attention to the harsh reality of poverty and famine that many people face. The lyrics of the song go on to ask a series of questions about the disparity in wealth, the suffering of people in wars, and the indifference of those in power towards the plight of the common people.
Despite its confrontational tone, the song also carries a message of hope, suggesting that it is possible to change the status quo. By asking these difficult questions, the song encourages listeners to think about the issues it raises and to take action to bring about positive change.
Line by Line Meaning
How come we suffer cause your paranoid?
Why are we subjected to suffering just because you're paranoid?
How come we fill that gap in your void?
Why do we have to fill the emptiness in your life?
How come come there's so many starving in the world?
Why is there such a widespread problem of starvation across the world?
How come a swollen belly ain't fun for boys and girls?
Why is a bloated belly, caused by malnutrition, a reality for so many young people?
How come, how come, yeah how come?
Why is this the case, why is this happening?
How come there's people dying in holy wars?
Why are people losing their lives in wars fought in the name of religion?
How come the rich rub salt into our sores?
Why do the wealthy individuals add to our woes and miseries?
How come you hound us over our little vices?
Why do you incessantly bother and hassle us over our minor faults and habits?
How come you need us to get you out of a crisis?
Why is it that you depend on us to resolve your problems or difficulties?
How come the powers that be close another plant?
Why do those in power continually shut down more factories or industries?
How come eternal school kids are getting a bigger grant?
Why is it that, despite the ongoing need, students in schools are only getting a relatively insignificant increase in funding?
How come so many leaders speaking in forked tongues?
Why are a large number of political leaders talking ambiguously or deceptively?
How come the evil prosper?
Why are the wicked and corrupt successful?
How come the good die young?
Why do the virtuous and pure souls perish at a young age?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GBH, Abrahall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind