The Jabbers (featuring GG's older brother Merle, ex of early Boston punk band
The Thrills) signed with Orange Records in '80 and released a slew of singles and one classic album, '80's ten-song "Always Is, Was, and Always Shall Be" LP, co-produced by Wayne Kramer of the MC5. They were even managed at one point by industry veteran/1st album Dead Boys producer Genya Ravan. They gigged with the great early version of The Queers, as well as with labelmates David Peel & The Death-O-Lettes.
Tensions within The Jabbers began to mount as Allin became increasingly uncontrollable, vicious, and uncompromising. The Jabbers split up in '83, and GG recruited new members for his next vehicle, the raw, rockin' Scumfucs, who released several singles and an album, "Eat My Fuc," on their own label imprint, Black & Blue Records. The Scumfucs were responsible for such classics as "Drink Fight & Fuck," "Convulsions," and "Loudenbomber." Eventually, the same problems befell GG's band, and by '85 the Scumfucs called it quits.
Over the years, GG churned out a number of booze-fueled singles and LP's with a number of different groups, such as The Bulge, The Antiseen, the AIDS Brigade, the Texas Nazis, the Carolina Shitkickers, the NY-based Cedar Street Sluts (purveyors of the "Hate Edge" philosophy) and the Murder Junkies.
His later material has a different sound than the stuff he recorded in the early days; later GG is sans the catchy pop sensibilities and known for being markedly obscene; the production is much more raw. His legendarily shocking live performances only added to his cult notoriety as quite possibly THE most dangerous, hated motherfucker in punk rock, and his appearance on talkshows like the Jane Whitney Show only dumped fuel on the fire. Without a doubt, the stuff legends are made of.
DEAD OR ALIVE
GG Allin & The Jabbers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spending my time getting high
Never know what you expect from me
The worst you get is the best you see
I'm going crazy am I really alive
If everyone fallow us do we ever survive
I sometimes wonder if I get up dead or alive
Used to be a spaceman
Enjoy it like it nothing knew
But this is heaven and hell and we don't let through
Used to be to blind to see
Destroy everything's in front of me
People stand and ask me why
Will I get up alive or will I die
The lyrics of GG Allin and The Jabbers's song Dead Or Alive seem to describe the struggle of the lead singer, GG Allin, with his own identity and self-destructive tendencies. He talks about falling in love but also indulging in substance abuse to escape reality. The line "Never know what you expect from me, the worst you get is the best you see" could imply that he has a reputation for being unpredictable and chaotic, but at the same time, he also might be saying that his worst behavior is actually his true self.
The chorus of the song talks about the fear of not knowing whether he will survive or not. He seems to be walking on a thin line between madness and death, wondering if he is alive or dead. He questions whether people will follow him and if that will guarantee his survival. The line "But this is heaven and hell and we don't let through" could potentially mean that he is stuck in a cycle that feels like both heaven and hell, and there is no way out.
Line by Line Meaning
Fallin' in love is one free ride
Entering into a romantic relationship is an easy and effortless experience
Spending my time getting high
Devoting my time to indulge in drug consumption
Never know what you expect from me
You cannot predict my behavior or actions
The worst you get is the best you see
My disorderly conduct is the extent of my positive traits
I'm going crazy am I really alive
My chaotic lifestyle makes me question if I am truly living
If everyone follow us do we ever survive
If our self-destructive behavior becomes commonplace, can we still exist?
I sometimes wonder if I get up dead or alive
I contemplate whether I will survive my reckless behavior
Used to be a spaceman
I previously felt out of this world
To far out to Neverland
I was once too distant from reality
Enjoy it like it nothing knew
I find pleasure in familiar destructive behavior
But this is heaven and hell and we don't let through
Our lifestyle is a combination of both pleasure and torment, but we refuse to change
Used to be to blind to see
I was once oblivious to the consequences of my actions
Destroy everything's in front of me
I am capable of wreaking havoc on my surroundings
People stand and ask me why
Others question my motives and actions
Will I get up alive or will I die
I am uncertain if I will survive the consequences of my behavior
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN GENZALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Don Corleone
Fallin' in love is one free ride
Spending my time getting high
Never know what you expect from me
The worst you get is the best you see
I'm going crazy am I really alive
If everyone fallow us do we ever survive
I sometimes wonder if I get up dead or alive
Used to be a spaceman
To far out to neverland
Enjoy it like it nothing knew
But this is heaven and hell and we don't let through
Used to be to blind to see
Destroy everythings infront of me
People stand and ask me why
Will I get up alive or will I die
Rob Basso
I've always liked this tune - Wayne Kramer's little solo really makes it stand out!!!
Ted Bundy
The Jabbers were so fucking good
Genghis Khan
Deliciously Good!!
Sky Scourge
This is one of my favorite punk songs ever!
Jim Danger
GG originally wrote a different set of lyrics to go with this music. Originally, it was called, "I Used To Be Fucked Up On Drugs {But Now I'm Drugged Up On Fucks}". He did record it with the original lyrics, but later changed it to what it is here. I was surprised.
Donny Money
Is there an online copy of that son
Jim Danger
@Donny Money Not that I know of.
Mike Hunt
Never knew. I'm the fuckin kid who got a toilet seat signed by him.
Donny Money
@Mike Hunt that's bad ass
Leahflower
Lol I think Hank Jr should cover the original