Their manager was Simon Napier-Bell, who devised white stage outfits and an outrageous stage act which included fighting each other and Bolan whipping the stage with a chain. Their 1967 single "Desdemona" was banned by the BBC for the 'controversial' lyric, "Lift up your skirt and fly".
Bolan was with the band for about four months. His main roles were to be the band's composer and play electric guitar (until then, he only played acoustic guitar). His singing voice is sometimes lead in "unofficial" recordings only (demos, BBC radio sessions). After he left, Townson switched to guitar and former roadie Chris Colville took over on drums.
John's Children recorded another single, "Go Go Girl", a Bolan composition he later recorded with Tyrannosaurus Rex as "Mustang Ford". John's Children also performed Bolan's "Mustang Ford" version of the song. The band released one more single, "It's Been a Long Time" (issued as an Andy Ellison solo single) and then embarked on a "disastrous" tour of Germany. Their last performance was at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany (substituting for the Bee Gees), after which they split up in 1968. Ellison went on to make several solo singles. before resurfacing in Jet in 1974, along with drummer Chris Townson. Jet metamorphosed into Radio Stars in the mid-Seventies.
Killer Ben
John's Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When he’s out stalking better keep behind the gate
Killer Ben! Killer Ben! Killer Ben!
He’ll kill again
But who knows when?
He hasn’t got a knife and he hasn’t got a gun
When he opens up his mouth he’ll just swallow you in one
He’ll kill again
But who knows when?
He lives in a grave yard that's getting rather full
Of bones and bodies and Ben he killed them all
Killer Ben! Killer Ben! Kill er Ben!
He’ll kill again
But who knows when
The lyrics to John’s Children’s song, Killer Ben, suggest the presence of a dangerous character named Ben who is feared and infamous for his acts of violence. The first two lines of the song highlight the apprehension felt by people in the vicinity when they see Ben walking around. The following two lines instruct the listeners to hide, metaphorically behind a gate, as Ben is out there stalking. The chorus emphatically repeats, “Killer Ben! Killer Ben! Killer Ben! He’ll kill again. But who knows when?” which further amplifies the idea of Ben’s unpredictability, emphasizing the danger that he poses to everyone around him.
The second verse deepens the mystery behind Ben’s actions, as the singer explains that he doesn’t carry any external weapon, rather opens his mouth to “swallow you in one”. This implicates that Ben’s weapon is his words, his manipulation, and the power he exerts over others with them. The image of his residence in a grave yard, where the bodies and bones of his victims are buried, adds to the eeriness and creates a vivid picture of Ben’s character.
Overall, the lyrics of Killer Ben come across as a warning to those who may encounter such dangerous people in their lives, to be wary of physical and emotional harm they can inflict. The singer cautions the listeners to watch out for characters like Ben and be on the lookout for subtle signs of danger.
Line by Line Meaning
When he’s out walking everybody fret
People become anxious when he is out walking.
When he’s out stalking better keep behind the gate
It is safer to stay behind the gate when he is out stalking.
Killer Ben! Killer Ben! Killer Ben!
He is known as Killer Ben.
He’ll kill again
He has killed in the past and will do it again.
But who knows when?
No one knows when he will strike again.
He hasn’t got a knife and he hasn’t got a gun
He does not use traditional weapons like knives or guns.
When he opens up his mouth he’ll just swallow you in one
His words are powerful enough to consume you.
He lives in a grave yard that's getting rather full
He resides in a cemetery that has been filled with victims.
Of bones and bodies and Ben he killed them all
The cemetery is filled with the remains of those he has killed.
Killer Ben! Killer Ben! Killer Ben!
He is known as Killer Ben.
He’ll kill again
He has killed in the past and will do it again.
But who knows when?
No one knows when he will strike again.
Contributed by Grace R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Benjamin Blake Mitchner
I agree! Sounds like The Open Mind. Can't beat the British for music!
edgardo gregorini
Great!!
sexobscura
Yeah! We alI went down to Brighton Beach for the fights on bank holiday