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.
NΓ³
GBH Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My momma, can I stay up til late in the dark?
My momma, don't over protect me now
I just want to have some fun at night
And I'm gonna be saying....
No!
No!
Because you've been told enough
No!
I really should have listened to my pa
What's wrong with the kids running round in the town?
?? The always want to be around
Hey momma, don't underestimate me now
We're gonna have fun when the sun goes down
And I'm gonna be saying....
No!
Because you're not old enough
No!
Because you've been told enough
No!
I really should have listened to my pa
Hey baby, shall we go for a stroll in the park?
Hey baby, shall we stay up til late in the dark?
Hey baby,?? to be now
Maybe we can have a little fun tonight
And I'm gonna be saying....
No!
Because you're not old enough
No!
Because you've been told enough
No!
I really should have listened to my pa
The GBH song, "No," is about rebellion and youth. The song is about a child asking his/her mother for permission to do things that are considered dangerous or inappropriate for children, such as climbing trees in the park or staying up late in the dark. However, the mother is overprotective and does not allow the child to have any fun. The chorus of the song, "No! Because you're not old enough, no! Because you've been told enough, no! I really should have listened to my pa," encapsulates the theme of the song. The child is rebelling against his/her mother's restrictions and wishing that they had listened to his/her father instead. The song is a reflection of youth culture and the desire for freedom and autonomy.
In the verses of the song, the child is vocalizing his/her frustrations with the way that the mother is treating them. He/she does not understand why the mother is being so strict and overprotective. The child wants to explore the world and have adventures, but the mother is holding them back. In the second verse, the child asks the mother what is wrong with running around and having fun in town. The child is frustrated by the mother's insistence on keeping them safe and confined to the house. In the third verse, the tone of the song changes as the child grows up and starts to rebel against the mother's restrictions. The child addresses his/her lover and asks if they want to go for a stroll in the park or stay up late in the dark. The child is no longer restrained by the mother's overprotectiveness and is free to have fun.
Overall, the song "No" is a commentary on the struggles of youth and the desire for freedom and autonomy despite the restrictions placed upon them by parents and society.
Line by Line Meaning
My momma, can I climb on the trees in the park?
As a child, I longed for the freedom to climb trees in the park, but was met with a hesitant mother who refused to let me experience this simple joy.
My momma, can I stay up til late in the dark?
I also yearned for the independence to stay up late past my bedtime and experience the mysteriousness of the dark, yet again, my mother refused to allow me to do so.
My momma, don't over protect me now
I understand my mother only wants to protect me, but I also want her to trust me to make my own decisions and learn from my actions.
I just want to have some fun at night
All I truly desire is to have fun and enjoy life, even if that means breaking a few rules and exploring the world around me.
No!
I am now standing up for myself and saying no to those who try to control my actions and limit my experiences.
Because you're not old enough
I am tired of being told that I am too young and not yet mature enough to handle certain experiences, when in reality, I am capable of making my own choices and facing the consequences.
Because you've been told enough
Repeatedly being told what to do and what not to do has only made me more rebellious and eager to break free from the restrictions placed upon me.
I really should have listened to my pa
Looking back, I realize my father was right about the importance of taking risks and learning from mistakes, and I should have heeded his advice instead of always rebelling against authority figures.
What's wrong with the kids running round in the town?
As I grew up, I questioned why people were so afraid of children simply having harmless fun and being playful in the town, as it seemed like a normal part of childhood.
The always want to be around
Children have an inherent desire to be around others and explore the world together, but are often restricted from doing so by concerned parents or authority figures.
Hey momma, don't underestimate me now
Even as I became a teenager, I felt like my mother still did not trust me enough to handle my own decisions and experiences, and I wanted her to recognize my maturing independence.
We're gonna have fun when the sun goes down
Despite restrictions and concerns from others, I was determined to have fun and explore the exciting adventures that the night had to offer.
Hey baby, shall we go for a stroll in the park?
As an adult, I now extend this freedom and playful attitude towards others, asking to take a stroll in the park or stay up late with a loved one.
Hey baby,?? to be now
Even as an adult, there are still those who try to limit my experiences and control my fun, but I remain steadfast in my desire to live life to the fullest.
Contributed by Carter G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheHelder51
No survivors in this game of hate, we all get changed in a certain way.
Our ideals changed by mortar, there isn't a person who doesn't pay.
No survivors, burst the bubble.
No survivors, too much trouble.
No survivors, your just a pawn.
No survivors, don't conform.
Boys mature to men in weeks, while rivals stay on the boil.
The time is right, the 'real' cowards, we all suffer at this toil.
So patriots who wear your flag, can enlist and die together.
I'll stay at home, protect MY world, do two years and wear a white feather.
The fields in France are full of heroes, now only poppies remain.
Their colour red, their number many, and still not achieved their aim
@anarchyrider
Got that cd when i was 13
Now im 38 still one of the best
Gold !
@davidlester7066
gOT THis when i was 15 NOW 55 OLD FOOKER LOL.
@satomiwa
My band opened for GBH several times in 83 and again in 86. They were the nicest, most genuine bunch of blokes I could have had the pleasure to meet. No pretensions whatsoever. Motorhead influence on full display, as with most of the UK hardcore, Clay, "UK82" bands. Which is a good thing. Amazing how a band that wasn't "really" a punk group (Motorhead) had probably the most profound influence on post-70s punk.
@D1MCV
+satomiwa Great band, great song. Grew up with GBH.......wouldn't have had it any other way. What was your band?
@satomiwa
Generics was the first one. We were from London (Canada) 1980 to early 82 and pretty much nobody in the world has ever heard of us. We got back together for a few months in 83 and opened for GBH in July. The other band was Condo Christ, also completely unknown, and we again opened for GBH for either two or three shows in '86.
@VincentRE79
Do you realise GBH are still around, exactly the same as they were back in the 80's.
@letsgobluengold1027
+satomiwa "Weekend Alcoholic" is on a comp LP I own! Awesome!
@gil2509
G.B.H. made my 13 along side Sabbath and all the other Heavy Hitters of my time and at my now 53yrs old.. they still have the very same energy they did when i found them at 20.
@MarioGalvinLirio
Still 2023
@freddiesoverbite6162
Saw these guys at city gardens in 1988 . God, that was a great show.