John Cooper Clarke (born January 25, 1949) is a performance poet from Salfo… Read Full Bio ↴John Cooper Clarke (born January 25, 1949) is a performance poet from Salford, Lancashire, England, affectionately known as the Bard of Salford. He is often referred to as a punk poet, having initially achieved recognition in the late 1970s amidst the flourishing punk movement. His recorded output has mainly centred around musical backing The Invisible Girls, featuring Martin Hannett, Pete Shelley, Bill Nelson and Steve Hopkins.

The song "Evidently Chickentown" became known to a wide audience through its use in the final season of the TV show "The Sopranos" and in the 2007 film "Control".

Teenage Werewolf
John Cooper Clarke Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I scream all the way to the chair
And in the face of tanks
Take the stairway to the stairs
And I scream thanks
Fake snakes and mock crocs
And killers cut my throat
That's me in the callbox
Stepping out of my coat

I found a reason for living
Everyday I die
I was a teenage werewolf
Or was I

Fall off trains
Torture dames
Just to keep in the swim
I get slain on memory lane
And the people say "oh it's him"
Easy money play hard to get
Those love toys to amuse
The non-doctors penthouse pets
Who drink champagne from shoes
Walk in rooms and outta rooms
That's my cup of tea
I seen the world I didn't like it
What's in it for me
Invisible girls go haywire
I'll be their go-go guy
I was a teenage werewolf
Or was I

Murder victims talk to me
Detectives come and go
Their dangling receivers
Tell me all I need to know
We only live once or do we
Take advice from Mickey Spillane
Me hood Nazi blood brother
Never give the right name
Those dead delicious nudes
They hang around the necks
Moving raincoat
By the sliding doors of discotheques
Where boys are boys girls are toys
Not programmed to reply

I was a teenage werewolf
Or was I

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of John Cooper Clarke's song Teenage Werewolf paint the picture of a chaotic and surreal existence, where the singer describes themselves as a "werewolf" who is constantly experiencing and living on the edge. The opening lines of "I scream all the way to the chair/ And in the face of tanks" set the tone for the song, suggesting that the singer is encountering obstacles and challenges at every turn. The metaphor of the "teenage werewolf" is used to convey a sense of wildness, unpredictability, and possibly even danger.

As the song progresses, the lyrics become more fragmented and disjointed, with the singer describing a range of experiences that are both unsettling and glamorous. They talk about "fake snakes and mock crocs/And killers cut my throat," implying that they are in constant danger, but then switch to describing their encounters with "non-doctors penthouse pets/Who drink champagne from shoes." The singer is conflicted in their desires and motivations, torn between the thrills of a dangerous life and the comforts of luxury.

Throughout the song, there is a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty over what is real and what is imaginary. The line "I was a teenage werewolf/Or was I" suggests that the singer is questioning their own sense of identity, unsure if they are truly the wild and untamed creature they describe themselves as.

Overall, John Cooper Clarke's song Teenage Werewolf is a vivid and unsettling portrayal of a life lived on the fringes, where danger, excitement, and luxury intersect.

Line by Line Meaning

I scream all the way to the chair
I am unapologetically loud and expressive, even if it means causing a scene and attracting attention.

And in the face of tanks
I am not intimidated by authority figures or powerful forces, and I will stand my ground even in the most dangerous situations.

Take the stairway to the stairs
I take unconventional paths and defy expectations, even in mundane things like navigating a building.

And I scream thanks
I am grateful for every experience, whether good or bad, and I show that gratitude by being vocal and enthusiastic.

Fake snakes and mock crocs
I am not easily fooled by false appearances or pretenses, and I can see through deceptive tactics and tricks.

And killers cut my throat
I am not afraid of danger or violence, and I have faced it before without backing down.

That's me in the callbox
I am versatile and able to adapt to any situation or setting, even something as mundane as using a phone booth.

Stepping out of my coat
I am comfortable shedding old identities or roles, and I embrace change and transformation.

I found a reason for living
I have discovered something that gives my life purpose and meaning, and I am willing to fight for it.

Everyday I die
I am aware of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, and I make the most of every moment.

I was a teenage werewolf
I have felt like an outsider or freak in society, and I have embraced that identity rather than trying to conform.

Or was I
I am not entirely sure of my own identity or past, and I am always questioning and exploring who I truly am.

Fall off trains
I take risks and push boundaries, even if it means falling or failing.

Torture dames
I have a rebellious streak and a disregard for social norms or morals, and I may engage in provocative or even harmful behavior.

Just to keep in the swim
I actively seek out new experiences and social circles, and I thrive on the excitement of constantly being on the move.

I get slain on memory lane
I am prone to nostalgia and may become sad or sentimental when reflecting on the past.

And the people say "oh it's him"
I have a distinct personality or reputation that precedes me, and others may recognize me on sight or by reputation.

Easy money play hard to get
I am talented enough to make things look easy, but I also enjoy the challenge of making others work for my attention or approval.

Those love toys to amuse
I am not above using others for my own pleasure or entertainment, and I may see romantic partners as mere objects or toys.

The non-doctors penthouse pets
I have a cynical view of the wealthy elite, and I may see them as frivolous and superficial.

Who drink champagne from shoes
I find humor in the absurd or ridiculous, and I may take pleasure in subverting common expectations or etiquette.

Walk in rooms and outta rooms
I am always on the move and may not stay in one place or situation for long, preferring to explore and discover new things.

That's my cup of tea
I enjoy doing things my own way, even if it is unconventional or unpopular.

I seen the world I didn't like it
I have a critical or pessimistic view of the world or society, and I may feel disillusioned or disappointed by what I have experienced.

What's in it for me
I am pragmatic and self-interested, and I may question the value or benefit of something before committing to it.

Invisible girls go haywire
I am drawn to those who may feel overlooked or invisible, and I may see potential in them that others do not.

I'll be their go-go guy
I am willing to offer support or guidance to those in need, and I may take on a mentor or leadership role.

Murder victims talk to me
I have a mysterious or supernatural connection to death or violent crime, and I may be able to communicate with the deceased or gain insight into their killers.

Detectives come and go
I am not intimidated by authority figures or law enforcement, and I may have a contentious relationship with those who seek to impose order or justice.

Their dangling receivers
I am able to decipher or interpret subtle clues or information, even if it seems insignificant or obfuscated.

Tell me all I need to know
I am a quick thinker and problem solver, and I am able to glean what I need from even the most complex or confusing situations.

We only live once or do we
I am philosophical and may question the nature of existence or reality itself, including the possibility of reincarnation or an afterlife.

Take advice from Mickey Spillane
I have a sense of humor that may involve parody or satire, and I may poke fun at cultural icons or tropes.

Me hood Nazi blood brother
I may see myself as part of a specific subculture or community, and I may have strong feelings of loyalty or kinship to those who share my background or beliefs.

Never give the right name
I have a rebellious streak and may not adhere to societal rules or norms, even in something as simple as giving my own name.

Those dead delicious nudes
I have a fascination with sex or the naked human form, and I may see it as something morbidly beautiful.

They hang around the necks
I may fetishize or objectify women, seeing them as mere accessories or adornments rather than full human beings.

Moving raincoat
I may have a sense of style or fashion that is distinctive or unusual, and I may not care about what others think of my choices.

By the sliding doors of discotheques
I am drawn to nightlife and socializing, and I may see clubs or parties as places for self-expression and exploration.

Where boys are boys girls are toys
I may have a shallow or misogynistic view of gender and sexuality, seeing women as inferior or objectified rather than equal partners.

Not programmed to reply
I am self-directed and independent, able to make my own decisions and not swayed by peer pressure or outside influence.

I was a teenage werewolf
I may still feel like an outsider or misfit, even if I have grown older and matured since my youth.

Or was I
I am still exploring my own identity and place in the world, and I may question whether my past experiences were as meaningful or defining as I remember them.

Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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