Knife Edge
GBH Lyrics


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On the streets they're after me,
Won't let me go, won't let me be.
This opression is screwing my head,
If I ain't careful I'll end up dead.

I'm living my life,
I'm living my life,
I'm living my life,
On the edge of a knife...

Loving her was the mistake I made,
Defending her honour with a steel blade.
Three on to one just isn't fair
But now they're in intensive care.

I'm living my life,
I'm living my life,
I'm living my life,
On the edge of a knife...

I'm living my life,
I'm living my life,
I'm living my life,
On the edge of a knife...

So now I'm running all over the world,
All because of a stupid girl.
But I've gotta carry on, I've gotta be brave,
Else I'll end up in my grave.

I'm living my life,
I'm living my life,




I'm living my life,
On the edge of a knife...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of GBH's "Knife Edge" describe the life of the singer who is being chased on the streets and hardly finds any peace. He is frustrated by the oppression he experiences there which is gradually affecting his mental health, making him feel like he is living on the edge of a knife. We can deduce that he is a victim of societal pressure, violence and possibly discrimination. Despite all these challenges, he tries to live his life as best he can.


The singer was in love with a girl and the song implies that he went to great lengths to defend her honour, even to the point of using a knife. He fought off three men, but now they are in intensive care. It seems the singer is being punished for his actions and is now a fugitive, running all over the world because of this "stupid girl". Despite this, he needs to carry on and be brave, lest he dies. This suggests that the singer has a strong character and is determined to navigate his way through life, even when the odds are against him.


Line by Line Meaning

On the streets they're after me,
I am being pursued on the streets.


Won't let me go, won't let me be.
I am being prevented from escaping or being left alone.


This opression is screwing my head,
The constant oppression is having a negative effect on my mental health.


If I ain't careful I'll end up dead.
If I don't act prudently, I may soon lose my life.


Loving her was the mistake I made,
I regret falling in love with her.


Defending her honour with a steel blade.
I used a weapon to defend her reputation.


Three on to one just isn't fair
Being outnumbered three-to-one is not equitable.


But now they're in intensive care.
They were injured severely in the altercation.


So now I'm running all over the world,
I am fleeing all over the world.


All because of a stupid girl.
My current predicament is due to a foolish romantic decision.


But I've gotta carry on, I've gotta be brave,
I must continue onward and be courageous.


Else I'll end up in my grave.
Otherwise, I will perish.


I'm living my life,
This is how I am leading my life.


I'm living my life,
This is how I am leading my life.


I'm living my life,
This is how I am leading my life.


On the edge of a knife...
I am living in constant danger and instability.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Andy Joyce

I'm 43 and still listen to this album. It made me want be a drummer and I am. It made me question everything and I do. It still gets me fired up....Its you Wilf!

ISAACS Line !

Even at my age of 52 i still love punk 😁😨👍

Lee Neale

Snap!.....one of the first albums I ever bought

Arturo Cicatriz

At 55 I still play punk and keep punk ;)

ClydeJarrod37UK

@Arturo Cicatriz 52 me

Buddy Shoe

yep 56 grew up with Dks , black flag , misfits, the cramps, the germs... one of the best compilations ever put together was The Decline of Western Civilization

Chip Monk

I'm nearly 60 and still loving it!! Good Punk Rock will never die!! Long live GBH!!!!

Celtic Warrior

Full-on, charged GBH! Punks not dead and I love it!

Alan Knotts

It's so brilliantly executed. More inventive than Discharge but just as powerful.

*BikeNerd*

So tough! Love this band

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