General Public signed to I.R.S. Records and released All the Rage (1984). However, by the time the album was released, Jones was no longer a member of General Public, although he did play guitar on the majority of the album's tracks. Kevin White (who also played on the album) was now the group's official guitarist and sixth member.
In Britain, General Public had a minor hit with the eponymous track called "General Public", which reached # 60. The band fared better in North America, where their second single "Tenderness" was a top 40 hit in the US and Canada, reaching #27 on the U.S. charts, thanks in part to heavy play from MTV and Los Angeles-based modern rock station KROQ. (Ironically, The Beat never had any top 40 hits in the UK.) [Chart info cited from: The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, Billboard Books (2004).]
For the follow-up album, White and Stoker were replaced by brothers Gianni Minardi and Mario Minardi on guitar and drums, respectively. Unfortunately, despite featuring a track from the soundtrack to Weird Science, Hand to Mouth (1986) was significantly less successful than the debut album, and the band soon split up. They both front two versions of the band, with Roger & Everett Moreton ( as The Beat ) in the UK & Dave in America ( as The English Beat ).
Roger and Wakeling worked on various solo projects for the next few years, before reuniting in 1994 to perform a cover of The Staple Singers hit "I'll Take You There" for the Threesome soundtrack. The song, credited to General Public, was a surprise top 40 hit in the US and Canada, and a minor hit (#73) in the UK.
The duo (now the only members of General Public) stayed together to release the album Rub It Better in 1995, recorded with the aid of producer Jerry Harrison. But sales were dismal, and Roger was tired of the grind of touring, so they soon broke up again.
Beginning in 2000, Dave Wakeling began calling his backing band alternately either General Public or The English Beat. He then toured (mostly in North America) as either "The English Beat featuring Dave Wakeling" or "Dave Wakeling & General Public". Aside from Wakeling, this new backing band featured no original members of The (English) Beat or General Public, although reportedly Ranking Roger and other Beat members turned up as guest performers at a handful of shows.
Murder
General Public Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Led step by step into desire
Choose to be understanding
Say you don`t care when I know you do
I can sleep at night, but each time I try
You know I dream of you
It`s murder murder murder
"he can`t help it" "she can`t help it"
Jump out of the bed & straight into the fire
How are you meant to stand it
Stuck in a world that`s seen much better days
You can reach for love
Scream till you`re red, white and blue in the face
It`s murder, murder
Look but don`t touch
Murder murder
When he wants you so much
Murder murder
Look but don`t touch
Murder murder
When he wants you so much
What made the truth sound like a lie
Jump out of bed & straight into the fire
Choose to be complicated
Say it isn`t when you know it is
Always on my mind
Thinking about what you do to his, its
Murder, murder, murder
When he wants you so much
Murder, murder
Look but don`t touch
Murder, murder
Oh murder, murder
Look but look but don`t touch
Murder
When he wants you, he wants you so much
Murder
It`s murder
Murder
It`s murder
The song "Murder" by General Public is a catchy and upbeat tune that seemingly speaks of a tumultuous love affair. The lyrics express the singer's frustration and confusion over their partner's behavior, which, at times, seems to betray their professed feelings of love and commitment. The singer feels that they are being led on and deceived, as the truth about their partner's infidelity sounds like a lie to them. Despite their efforts to remain understanding and indifferent towards the situation, the singer cannot ignore their feelings of jealousy and longing, as they dream of their partner at night.
Throughout the song, the repetition of the word "murder" serves as a metaphor for the intensity and pain of the singer's emotions. The singer feels like they are being emotionally murdered by their partner's actions and desires, and they express frustration at the excuses that are made to justify them. The chorus repeats "murder" four times, emphasizing the intensity of the situation and the singer's feelings.
Overall, the song speaks to the theme of love and its complications, particularly when faced with infidelity and betrayal. The use of metaphors and repetition to emphasize the intensity of emotions reflects the complex and often irrational nature of love.
Line by Line Meaning
What made the truth sound like a lie
What caused the reality to seem false
Led step by step into desire
Slowly persuaded into wanting something
Choose to be understanding
Decide to show empathy
Say you don`t care when I know you do
You claim not to be interested, but I know you are
I can sleep at night, but each time I try
I have no trouble sleeping except when I think of you
You know I dream of you
I often have pleasant thoughts of you
It`s murder murder murder
It's a terrible situation
No time for cheap excuses like 'he can`t help it' 'she can`t help it'
There is no adequate justification for this behavior
Jump out of the bed & straight into the fire
You willingly put yourself in a dangerous situation
How are you meant to stand it
It's unbearable
Stuck in a world that`s seen much better days
In a less than ideal situation
You can reach for love
You can try to find affection
Scream till you`re red, white and blue in the face
Shouting in frustration, but with no change
Murder murder
It's a catastrophe
Look but don`t touch
Visible but inaccessible
When he wants you so much
When he desires you strongly
Oh murder murder
Oh, what a disaster
Choose to be complicated
Intentionally make things more difficult
Say it isn`t when you know it is
Deny the truth
Always on my mind
I can't stop thinking about you
Thinking about what you do to his, its
Wondering how you affect him or it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER N BIRCH, AISHA N DAVIS, PATRICK N HOWELL, KUNLEY MCCARTHY, RAY DAHROUGE, JOSEPH M DAVIS, CHENEJERAI KUMANYIKA, IRINA PEREZ, JEREL SPRUILL, BOOKER T TUCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind