The group had a single in the British Top 60 with "At Home He's A Tourist" in 1979, which was blacklisted by Top Of The Pops for its use of the relatively innocuous term "rubbers". Storming, Doc Marten-booted and fueled by a heady cocktail of Gramsci, Marx and lager, out of the Leeds art-school scene that produced The Mekons and Delta 5, they played a stripped-to-the-wire, funk-fueled permutation of punk rock. This is best exemplified by the dry production and forceful polemic of debut effort Entertainment! - Gang of Four's later albums (Songs Of The Free and Hard) found them softening some of their more jarring qualities, and drifting towards disco.
Critic Stewart Mason has called "Love Like Anthrax" (their first single, later re-recorded as "Anthrax") not only the group's "most notorious song" but also "one of the most unique and interesting songs of its time"; it's also a good example of Gang of Four's social perspective. After a minute-long, droning, feedback-laced guitar intro, the rhythm section sets up a funky, churning beat, and the guitar drops out entirely. In one stereo channel, King sings a "post-punk anti-love song", comparing himself to a beetle trapped on its back ("and there's no way for me to get up") and equating love with "a case of anthrax, and that's some thing I don't want to catch." Meanwhile in the other stereo channel (and slightly less prominent in the mix), Gill reads a deadpan monologue about public perception of love, and the prevalence of love songs in popular music: "Love crops up quite a lot as something to sing about, 'cause most groups make most of their songs about falling in love, or how happy they are to be in love, and you occasionally wonder why these groups do sing about it all the time." The simultaneous vocals are more than a little disorienting, especially when Gill pauses in his examination of love songs to echo a few of King's sung lines.
Allen left after Solid Gold and was replaced briefly by Buster Jones (who never recorded with the group), then by Sara Lee; Allen later co-founded Shriekback, Low Pop Suicide and The Elastic Purejoy.
Their angular, slashing attack and liberal use of dissonance had a significant influence on their post-punk contemporaries in the States, including Mission Of Burma. Gang Of Four went on to influence a number of successful funk-tinged alternative rock acts throughout the 80s and 90s - even, arguably, many rap-rock and nu metal groups who were "not in touch with their ancestry enough to realize it" (Andy Kellman, on allmusic.com) - although few of their followers were as arty or political. Michael "Flea" Balzary of Red Hot Chili Peppers has stated Gang of Four were very influential on his band's early music.
Gang of Four can also be credited as one of the early influences on techno or electronic music; they released dance remixes of several later singles.
Recently the band has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, initially due to emergence of new post-punk influenced bands such as The Rapture and Radio 4 and then the rise of Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party, which led to the renewed patronage of the NME. The original Burnham/Allen/Gill/King lineup reformed in November 2004. In October of 2005, Gang of Four released a new LP featuring new recordings of past songs, entitled Return The Gift.
Dave Allen also co-hosts a twice-weekly "New Music Hour" radio show with Portland, Oregon's 94.7 alternative radio station.
Andy Gill died on 1st February, 2020 from, according to reports, a respiratory illness caught on the group's tour in Asia the preceding year. He was the only original member still playing in the Gang Of Four.
The History of the World
Gang of Four Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Social structure seemed a simple thing
After birth I cursed my luck
Then went down to breakfast
What I know fills me up
It is an everlasting cup
What I believe will never change
Mother had for me an egg
I understood the relations of production
She always provided for me
That's where I lost my naivety ?
Stability is in my mind
I associate with my kind
Charity, it fills my heart
To help the poor in Africa
[Chorus: x6]
Good, yes, you've done well
Here is a small prize
The history of the world
The opening lines of Gang of Four's song, "The History of the World," describe a journey that begins in the womb and continues through birth and beyond. At first, the social structure seems simple, but as the individual grows and matures, he begins to question his fate and curse his luck. The lyrics then shift to a contemplation of the meaning of life, with the singer searching for an everlasting cup of knowledge and a belief system that he can hold onto. In his mother's kitchen, he finds comfort in the relationships of production and the stability of social structures, but he also loses his naivety as he comes to understand the realities of the world.
The final lines of the song focus on a desire for charity and a longing to help those less fortunate, particularly the poor in Africa. The repeated chorus reinforces the idea that the individual has performed well and received a small reward, but the history of the world remains a complex and multi-faceted tapestry that is difficult to fully comprehend.
The themes of social structure, stability, belief, and the struggle to find meaning in a complex world are woven throughout the lyrics of "The History of the World," reflecting the band's politically charged and socially conscious approach to music.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was in my mothers womb
From the moment of my existence, I was subconsciously aware of the world and its social structures.
Social structure seemed a simple thing
The societal hierarchy appeared straightforward and understandable during my prenatal stage.
After birth I cursed my luck
Upon entering the world and realizing my position in society, I lamented my circumstances.
Then went down to breakfast
Despite my frustration with my social status, I continued to fulfill my daily needs and obligations.
What I know fills me up
My knowledge of the world provides me with a sense of fulfillment.
It is an everlasting cup
My understanding of the world will continue to sustain and fulfill me throughout my life.
What I believe will never change
My personal beliefs remain steadfast and unwavering.
My consolation for the night
My beliefs provide me with comfort and solace during difficult times.
Mother had for me an egg
As a child, my mother provided me with the necessary sustenance and taught me about basic economic concepts.
I understood the relations of production
Through my mother's teachings, I grasped the notion of how goods are produced and distributed within society.
She always provided for me
My mother consistently met my basic needs and provided a stable environment for me to grow up in.
That's where I lost my naivety ?
However, as I grew older and learned more about the world, I began to lose my innocence and naivety.
Stability is in my mind
Having experienced a childhood of stability, I place great value in consistency and continuity in my life.
I associate with my kind
I tend to socialize with and identify with individuals who share similar experiences and beliefs as me.
Charity, it fills my heart
Philanthropy brings me joy and fulfillment, and I aspire to make a positive impact on the world.
To help the poor in Africa
One specific cause that I feel strongly about is alleviating poverty in Africa.
[Chorus: x6]
Throughout the song, the chorus sarcastically praises individuals for their adherence to societal norms and expectations.
Good, yes, you've done well
Congratulations, you have successfully followed the societal script and met its expectations.
Here is a small prize
As a reward for conforming, society offers a small token of recognition or approval.
The history of the world
Ultimately, the song reflects on the cyclical and stagnant nature of history and societal structures, and the frustration that can come with it.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ANDY GILL, JON KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind