History
Gang of Four Lyrics


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What I'd like to hear desert people's history
Not the styles of strategic combat
We could lose our bent we hear about
They weren't the ones to get it in the neck
Fighting it out for some other's causes
They're invisible they didn't exist!
History's bunk our government
In the future will they make more junk?
What I'd like to hear tales of people's history
Fighting it out for some other's causes




They're invisible they didn't exist!
There are no lessons in the past x6

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gang of Four's "History's Bunk!" are a commentary on the selective and biased nature of history as taught and understood by governments and mainstream society. The singer desires to hear the history of marginalized groups, specifically the "desert people," over the glorified tales of war and conquest taught in schools. The song critiques the tendency for governments to manipulate and distort history to serve their own agendas, noting that the true victims and heroes of history are often overlooked and considered insignificant.


The line "They weren't the ones to get it in the neck" suggests that the people who suffered the most during historical conflicts were not necessarily the ones responsible for initiating or perpetuating them. The phrase "fighting it out for some other's causes" also implies that wars and conflicts are often fought for reasons beyond the understanding or benefit of those doing the fighting.


The repetition of the phrase "there are no lessons in the past" reinforces the idea that history is often used to justify present-day policies and actions, but these lessons are often distorted or incomplete. Overall, the song's message is a call for a more honest and inclusive approach to history that acknowledges the experiences and perspectives of all people, not just those in power.


Line by Line Meaning

What I'd like to hear desert people's history
I'm curious about the history of desert people and their way of life.


Not the styles of strategic combat
I don't want to hear about military tactics and strategies.


We could lose our bent we hear about
We might become biased if we only hear one side of the story.


They weren't the ones to get it in the neck
Those people didn't suffer the consequences or the blame.


Fighting it out for some other's causes
They fought for the interests of others, not their own.


They're invisible they didn't exist!
Their contributions went unrecognized and ignored.


History's bunk our government
Our government's version of history is unreliable and biased.


In the future will they make more junk?
Will future generations have to deal with more propaganda and distorted history?


What I'd like to hear tales of people's history
I want to hear stories about ordinary people and their experiences.


Fighting it out for some other's causes
They fought for the interests of others, not their own.


They're invisible they didn't exist!
Their contributions went unrecognized and ignored.


There are no lessons in the past x6
History cannot provide us with definitive and universally applicable lessons.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW GILL, JON KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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