H-Blockx is a German crossover band founded 1991 by Henning Wehland while s… Read Full Bio ↴H-Blockx is a German crossover band founded 1991 by Henning Wehland while still going to school in Münster, Germany. The bands name is a tribute to the 1981 Irish hunger strike participants inside Her Majesty's Prison Maze, which was colloquially called "The H Blocks".

In 1993, the band released their first single, Rising High. The track was extensively played in clubs and sold over 10,000 copies without a video or any advertising whatsoever.

The band rose to fame with their successful first album Time To Move, released in 1994. Part of this success was due to MTV and their repeated airplay of the videos for the "Risin' High" and "Move" singles. H-Blockx earned a nomination for "Best Breakthrough Artist" at the following MTV music awards (but lost to Dog Eat Dog). With the help of the singles "Risin' High", "Move", and "Little Girl" their debut album spent 62 weeks in the German album chart, selling over 750,000 copies worldwide, and earning the band their first gold album.

H-Blockx is still active to this day and are regularly releasing new albums, though none of them have caught the public or MTV's eye like "Time To Move" did. However, they had a minor hit in 2002 with a cover of Snap!'s "The Power".

Albums

* 1994 - Time to Move
* 1996 - Discover My Soul
* 1998 - Fly Eyes
* 1999 - Bang Boom Bang (Movie Soundtrack)
* 2000 - Ring Of Fire
* 2002 - Get in the Ring
* 2002 - Live
* 2004 - No Excuses
* 2004 - More than a Decade: The Best of H-Blockx
* 2007 - Open Letter to a Friend

Current members

* Henning Wehland: Vocals
* Tim Humpe: Guitar
* Steffen Wilmking: Drums
* Stefan "Gudze" Hinz: Bass

Past members

* Dave Gappa: Vocals
* Fabio Trentini: Bass
* Johann-Christop "Mason" Maass: Drums
* Marco Minnemann: Drums
* Martin "Dog" Kessler": Drums

www.h-blockx.de

H-Blockx
H-Blockx Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Did you see my mother walking round the blocks?
Did you see them nasty boys looting the lots?
Did they ever miss you or did they even kiss you?
Or is the only thing you see Britain's milita?

If you smell that air
You can feel the flair
And the people that rock

Live in an H-Block

Chorus:
H-(H)-B-(B) H-B-L-O-C-K-X - H-BLOCKX

H-Blockx, that's the name
We give credit to the people who can feel the pain
Of aggression, supression and brutality
Who live in an H-shaped home of insanity

If you smell that air
You can feel the flair
And the people that rock
Live in an H-Block

Chorus:

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to H-Blockx's song "H-Blockx" address the political and social tensions in Northern Ireland during the period of conflict known as The Troubles. The mention of "blocks" refers to the H-blocks of the Maze Prison, which housed Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoners, while "nasty boys" likely refers to the British military or loyalist paramilitaries who were accused of looting and other violent acts. The questions asked in the lyrics suggest a sense of isolation and desperation, as the singer wonders if anyone cares or notices their suffering in the midst of the larger conflict. The chorus celebrates the resilience and strength of those who live in the H-blocks and can "feel the pain" of aggression and brutality.

The song was released on H-Blockx's debut album "Time to Move" in 1994 and quickly became a hit in Germany and other parts of Europe. It was praised for its blend of heavy rock, rap, and reggae influences and its politically-charged lyrics. H-Blockx had roots in the German punk scene and were known for their energetic live performances.

Line by Line Meaning

Did you see my mother walking round the blocks?
Have you witnessed the struggles my community and family face in our daily lives?

Did you see them nasty boys looting the lots?
Have you witnessed the violence and destruction caused by those who are angry and frustrated with their situation?

Did they ever miss you or did they even kiss you?
Do you understand the deep emotional pain and loss we feel as a result of our circumstances?

Or is the only thing you see Britain's milita?
Do you only see the government's military presence, or do you see the people and their struggles?

If you smell that air
If you experience the environment and atmosphere of this place

You can feel the flair
You can sense the vibrancy, energy, and passion of the people who call this place home

And the people that rock
And the individuals who stand out and make an impact in this community

Live in an H-Block
Reside in the H-shaped housing units in this area

H-(H)-B-(B) H-B-L-O-C-K-X - H-BLOCKX
H-Blockx is our way of identifying and expressing ourselves as a community

H-Blockx, that's the name
H-Blockx is who we are and what we stand for

We give credit to the people who can feel the pain
We recognize and appreciate those who understand and empathize with our struggles

Of aggression, supression and brutality
Of the violence, oppression, and mistreatment we have suffered

Who live in an H-shaped home of insanity
Those who reside in the H-Blocks and endure the daily challenges and hardships are living in an environment that is not only difficult, but also mentally taxing

Chorus:
Refrain:

If you smell that air
If you experience the environment and atmosphere of this place

You can feel the flair
You can sense the vibrancy, energy, and passion of the people who call this place home

And the people that rock
And the individuals who stand out and make an impact in this community

Live in an H-Block
Reside in the H-shaped housing units in this area

Chorus:
Refrain:

Contributed by Gianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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