Since the London band's formation in 1993, they were subject to both critical acclaim, having been nominated for the 'Best New British Band' category at the Kerrang Awards in 1998 and then again under the 'Spirit of Independence' category in 2000, and the approval of a diverse fanbase, leading to them becoming one of the most highly respected bands to emerge from the UK ska punk scene at the time. King Prawn toured regularly with broad range of bands, varying from hardcore to traditional and two tone ska bands, and were widely regarded as one of the most exciting live bands of Britain. King Prawn songs often contained politically based lyrics that formed wry social commentary, which, along with the band's blending of genres, led to comparisons with bands such as Rage Against the Machine.
King Prawn played their final gig on December 21st 2003 at the pitz, Milton Keynes, and members have since moved on to various other projects, such as Babar Luck's solo project and the Household Name Records signed musical collective Suicide Bid.
Al Rumjen - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Melodica
Babar Luck - Bass, Vocals
Nikolai - Drums
Devil Hands - Guitar
~ Wikipedia
Crackhead
King Prawn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crackhead
Basehead
I don't know how i got so lost
Something in my mind and i pay the cost
Yes i tried to hide away
Oh the truth i did not want to face
Me and you can't blame no one else
I don't want your sympathy
Your sympathy is no good to me
Better keep on fearing me...
Better keep the fear
If you want to understand
Come into my world
Come take my hand
If you try to run away
Away from yourself you can never win the race
Freaks and fiends are everywhere
They lost their way/lost their cares
If you try to run away
Away from yourself
You can never win the race
This is more than trenchtown rock
Rock is something smoked as well as pot
Concern is shown as it gets a grip
Away from the ghetto onto the rich
Chuck d would say "i'm a basehead
I got to get away
I got to face it
You can't trust me
I can't trust myself
Yes i got to learn to be true to myself
Here come them rocks again
Falling in my head
Messing up my head
Here come them bones again
Rolling in my head
Messing up my head
Let me smoke my crack pipe now...
The song "Crackhead" by King Prawn is a powerful and intense portrayal of addiction and the destructive effects it can have on a person's life. The lyrics are raw and honest, describing the singer's struggle with substance abuse and their own inner turmoil. The opening line, "I'm the badest of the badest of the badest of the bad, Crackhead, Basehead," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is acknowledging the negative labels society has given them, but also owning them as a part of their identity.
The second verse speaks to the shame and denial that often accompanies addiction. "Something in my mind and I pay the cost, Yes I tried to hide away, Oh the truth I did not want to face." The singer knows they have a problem, but admitting it means facing the painful reality of their situation. Later in the verse, they quote Ice-T with "you played yourself," acknowledging that they are ultimately responsible for their own actions.
The chorus carries a message of defiance and a refusal to be pitied. "I don't want your sympathy, Your sympathy is no good to me, Better keep on fearing me." The singer is not looking for someone to save them, they are simply asking to be accepted for who they are, flaws and all. They warn others to stay away if they can't handle being in their world, but also extend an invitation to join them if they're brave enough to take their hand.
Overall, "Crackhead" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that shines a light on addiction and the struggles faced by those who are trying to overcome it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the badest of the badest of the badest of the bad
I am the epitome of everything that is bad or wrong
Crackhead
I am addicted to crack cocaine
Basehead
I am addicted to freebase cocaine
I don't know how i got so lost
I do not understand how I ended up in this situation
Something in my mind and i pay the cost
My thoughts and actions have resulted in negative consequences
Yes i tried to hide away
I attempted to avoid the truth or reality of my situation
Oh the truth i did not want to face
I was unwilling or unprepared to confront the reality of my situation
Like ice t says "you played yourself"
As Ice T suggests, I am responsible for the situation I am in
Me and you can't blame no one else
I cannot shift the responsibility for my situation onto anyone else
I don't want your sympathy
I do not require or desire your compassion or understanding
Your sympathy is no good to me
Your compassion or understanding does not solve my problems or improve my situation
Better keep on fearing me...
You should continue to be afraid of me
Better keep the fear
You should hold onto your fear and remain afraid of me
If you want to understand
If you seek to comprehend or empathize with me
Come into my world
You must enter into my world or perspective
Come take my hand
I will guide you through my experiences
If you try to run away
If you attempt to escape or avoid your problems
Away from yourself you can never win the race
You can never achieve true success or inner peace by running from yourself
Freaks and fiends are everywhere
People who are struggling with addiction or other issues are prevalent
They lost their way/lost their cares
These individuals have either become lost or apathetic towards their issues
This is more than trenchtown rock
This situation is more complex and severe than what you may think or assume
Rock is something smoked as well as pot
The lyric plays on the double meaning of the word rock, which can refer to both crack cocaine and a type of music
Concern is shown as it gets a grip
There is an increasing awareness of the issue and its impact on individuals and society
Away from the ghetto onto the rich
The problem has spread beyond impoverished communities to affect those who are wealthy or privileged
Chuck d would say "i'm a basehead
As Chuck D would attest, he struggles with freebase cocaine addiction
I got to get away
He needs to escape his current situation
I got to face it
He must confront his issues and try to overcome them
You can't trust me
His addiction has impacted his ability to be reliable or trustworthy
I can't trust myself
He doesn't trust his own ability to stay away from drugs
Yes i got to learn to be true to myself
He must work towards being honest and authentic with himself
Here come them rocks again
He is feeling the temptation to use drugs again
Falling in my head
These thoughts and urges are weighing heavily on his mind
Messing up my head
His thoughts are becoming jumbled or confused
Here come them bones again
He is feeling the physical effects of his addiction
Rolling in my head
He is experiencing a sensation of having a perceived sound or movement inside his head
Messing up my head
His thoughts and emotions are being impacted by his addiction
Let me smoke my crack pipe now...
He is giving into his addiction and requesting to use drugs
Contributed by Landon T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kirimac
YES! I love this, King Prawn - damn, the memories!
@saulibus1
Respect to the new bassist for stepping up
@conz1012
Soo good to see the lads back! Sounding brilliant too!
@nicwhatmore7630
Last Gang in Town giving it large at the mighty Boomtown, please never stop, the last bastion of punk cant leave the city limits....
@saulibus1
The guitarist is such a good taxi driver
@sydneym.3562
Yasssssss
@tangoman49
Changed a lot since Dominant View.. But I like it. Me x
@saulibus1
They are older now
@goodtimecharly
@Sauly Bee arent we all lol
@fuxstar666
I’m in the video 3 times, woohoo