Afterwards, he made a number of independent releases, first with the The Human Condition (featuring ex-PiL drummer Jim Walker). Soon after, he collaborated with Jaki Liebezeit and Holger Czukay (of Can), plus David Howell Evans (aka The Edge, of U2), resulting in "Snake Charmer" (Oct 1983, Island Records). At the same time he released his own solo work. Further releases were supported by Island Records.
Most recently Wobble realized his own label, 30 Hertz, and has toured the US. At the same time he mustered a short-lived band called The Damage Manual with ex-Killing Joke members and Martin Atkins who was also once a member of PiL. He has also collaborated with Brian Eno on the album "Spinner" (1995, All Saints).
In September 2009, John Lydon reformed PiL for a series of concerts in late 2009. Despite Lydon's invitation to join, Jah Wobble did not feature in the line-up, due disagreements over money and venues.
In 2011, Wobble collaborated with Julie Campbell (aka LoneLady), in a project called Psychic Life and it's eponymous début album (14 Nov 2011, Cherry Red), was inspired by disco, post-punk and psychogeography.
Sites: Discogs and Wikipedia
Poptones
Jah Wobble Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The smell of rubber on country tar
Hindsight done me no good
Standing naked in this back of the woods
The cassette played pop tones
I can't forget the impression you made
I don't like hiding in this foliage and peat
It's wet and I'm losing my body heat
The cassette played pop tones
This bleeding heart
Looking for bodies
Nearly injured my pride
Praise picnicking in the British countryside
Pop tones
is a song by Jah Wobble that highlights his experiences driving to the forest in a Japanese car while enjoying the smell of rubber on country tar. However, hindsight does him no good as he finds himself standing naked in the back of the woods. The cassette playing Pop tones adds to the eerie atmosphere. The impression left by someone has left a hole in the back of his head, and hiding out in the foliage and peat is not enjoyable. The bleeding heart is also looking for bodies and has nearly injured Wobble's pride. Though praised for picnicking in the British countryside, the overall feeling is discomfort and unease.
The lyrics of Poptones are a commentary on the state of British society in the 1980s. The driving beat of the song and its discordant notes reflect the tension and anxiety of that era. It is a nod to British punk rock and the dissatisfaction with the establishment that was prevalent at the time. Poptones has been described as a post-punk classic and one of Jah Wobble's most popular songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Drive to the forest in a Japanese car
Travel to the woodland in a car that's made in Japan
The smell of rubber on country tar
Scent of burnt rubber on the road through rural terrain
Hindsight done me no good
Regretful reflections didn't bring me any benefit
Standing naked in this back of the woods
Being undressed in the remote part of the forest
The cassette played pop tones
A tape played tunes of popular music
I can't forget the impression you made
The memory of your impact on me still lingers
You left a hole in the back of my head
Your influence created a void in my mind
I don't like hiding in this foliage and peat
I'm uncomfortable concealing myself among the leaves and soil
It's wet and I'm losing my body heat
I feel damp and my warmth is dissipating
This bleeding heart
My aching and emotional heart
Looking for bodies
Searching for human forms
Nearly injured my pride
Almost harmed my self-respect
Praise picnicking in the British countryside
Commendation for eating outdoors in rural Britain
Pop tones
Catchy melodies
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEITH LEVENE, JOHN LYDON, JOHN WARDLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind