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.
No!
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 lyrics to GBH's song No! depict a rebellious attitude towards overprotective parents who prohibit their children from participating in activities simply because they are deemed "too young" or "inappropriate." The singer, likely a frustrated teenager, pleads with their mother for some leniency, asking if they can climb trees in the park and stay up late in the dark. The chorus of "No!"s seems to represent the constant refusal they receive from their parents, who they believe are not giving them enough credit and underestimating their capabilities. The singer "really should have listened to [their] pa," perhaps insinuating that their father would have been more understanding than their mother.
Line by Line Meaning
My momma, can I climb on the trees in the park?
Asking my mother for permission to climb trees in the park.
My momma, can I stay up til late in the dark?
Asking my mother for permission to stay up late in the darkness.
My momma, don't over protect me now
Asking mother not to be overprotective.
I just want to have some fun at night
Just want to enjoy my night without any restrictions.
No! Because you're not old enough
Responding with a firm no as you are too young for the particular activity.
No! Because you've been told enough
Responding with a firm no as you've already been told the same thing multiple times.
No! I really should have listened to my pa
Responding with a firm no and admitting that you should have listened to your father's advice.
What's wrong with the kids running round in the town?
Questioning why there is an issue with children playing and running around in the town.
? The always want to be around
The kids always want to be in the area where the action is taking place.
Hey momma, don't underestimate me now
Asking mother not to underestimate your ability to have fun.
We're gonna have fun when the sun goes down
Excited about having fun during the night-time.
Hey baby, shall we go for a stroll in the park?
Asking baby if they want to go for a walk in the park.
Hey baby, shall we stay up til late in the dark?
Asking baby if they want to stay up late in the dark.
Hey baby,? to be now
Asking baby what they want to do now.
Maybe we can have a little fun tonight
Suggesting to have some fun together in the night.
Writer(s): Giovanni Bella, Giancarlo Bigazzi
Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.