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.
who am i
Gang of Four Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The pilgrim can′t sleep cause his prayers won't fly
The dumb won't speak - The truth is lies!
The dumb won′t speak make their tongues get fired
The cripple won′t walk - The crooks all cry
The cripple won't walk put the stilts on trial
The dead man talks - Didn′t say goodbye
The dead man talks and the phone is wired
Who can steal when everything is free?
Who am I when everything is me?
Who am I when everything is me?
Who am I when everything is me?
Betting on tilt I make a deal
When I get up I take a pill
Come on down and come on in
The little lambs jump and I could kill them still
Creationists creep - They walk in the street!
Creationists creep and the citizens buy
All the shoppers asleep - They're in way too deep!
All the shoppers asleep and the cameras lie
Who can lie when everything is true?
Who wants old when everything is new
Who am I when everything is me?
Who am I when everything is me?
Betting on tilt I make a deal
When I get up I take a pill
Come on down and come on in
The little lambs jump and I could kill them still
Who am I when everything is me?
Who am I when everything is me?
Who am I when everything is me?
The little lambs jump and I could kill them still
The lyrics to Gang of Four's "Who Am I" are packed with social commentary on a range of issues from religion to consumerism to identity. The song seems to be speaking about the confusion and disorientation that come with living in a society that is constantly changing and where the lines between reality and falsehood are blurred.
The pilgrim who can't sleep because his prayers won't fly may be a critique of the futility of religious devotion in a world that doesn't seem to care. The dumb who won't speak because the truth is lies suggests a society where people are either too intimidated or too disillusioned to speak up about what they believe. The cripple who won't walk and the dead man who talks are both examples of the abnormal becoming normal, and the bizarre becoming everyday occurrences.
The chorus raises questions about the nature of identity in the modern world where everything is thrown into question. "Who can steal when everything is free?" refers to the breakdown of traditional values of property and ownership. "Who am I when everything is me?" questions the nature of the self in a world where we are inundated with information and images from all sides.
The second half of the song focuses on the insidiousness of consumer culture and the way it lulls people into complacency. The creationists who creep along the streets may represent those who hold onto outdated beliefs and ways of thinking, while the shoppers who are asleep and the cameras that lie symbolize the way we are manipulated and controlled by the forces around us.
Overall, "Who Am I" is a powerful critique of the modern world and the way it shapes our identities and beliefs. It questions the validity of our values, asks us to examine our place in the world, and encourages us to think critically about the forces that shape us.
Line by Line Meaning
The pilgrim can't sleep
The spy disguised as a pilgrim cannot sleep for fear of being caught
The dumb won't speak
Those who claim ignorance will not reveal the truth
The cripple won't walk
Those who use disability as an excuse cannot escape accountability
The dead man talks
Evidence and information have been uncovered posthumously
Who can steal when everything is free?
In a society where everything is accessible, what is left to take?
Who am I when everything is me?
In a world where individuality is scarce, who is the true self?
Betting on tilt I make a deal
Making precarious decisions and taking unnecessary risks for a desired outcome
When I get up I take a pill
Dependence on medication as a means of coping or escaping reality
Come on down and come on in
Inviting others to join in on the façade, despite its falseness
The little lambs jump and I could kill them still
The vulnerable and easily manipulated are at risk of being exploited and hurt
Creationists creep
Those who deny evolution and scientific facts present themselves in society
All the shoppers asleep
Individuals who are unaware or apathetic towards societal issues
Who can lie when everything is true?
In an age of transparency and truth, there is no room for falsehoods
Who wants old when everything is new?
In a world where change is constant and progress is valued, tradition is deemed obsolete
The little lambs jump and I could kill them still
The vulnerable and easily manipulated are still at risk of being exploited and hurt
Who am I when everything is me?
The question of self-identity and whether it exists in a world of conformity
Writer(s): Christy Nockels, Nathan Nockels
Contributed by Lily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Budget Baller
This song is perfect for those days when you are feeling cheated because you're deaf.
buddyguy88
Oh come on people. The song is not that bad. They are an absolutely iconic band and are truly fantastic live! True the video is cheesy but that doesn't diminish who they are as musicians. And they are brilliant musicians btw!
Polyfusia
Liked it right away. Good to hear they're back.
SoulStylistJukeBox
Gang of Four are the MOST influential band of my youth (along with The Slits, The Jam, The Specials and The Raincoats and Au Pairs). Unfortunately this video is APPALLING.
pointless_walks
sadly i agree
GENOSSIN WAABOOZ
Had you considered the subject?
Ian Kinzel
I clicked "Like" only because there isn't a button for "Love." I mean, come on people - this is that funky punk sound they've had since '79 with just a little bit more polish, and I loved it immediately. Not sure why so many people are having such a hard time with it.
therealsoulproduct
This video got more dislikes than likes. Seriously, what's wrong with you viewers? This is a legendary band on the comeback. If you don't like this go watch a Lady Caca video or something.
momakesgoodmeatloaf
i like this song
Felix Marvin
Who am I when everything is me?
R.I.P. Andy Gill