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
Someone to Hate
King Prawn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
on the dark ship that i be voyaging
into the darkest deepest recess
my mirror image shatters into a thousand pieces
as i entertain the thoughts of my reflection
a one way ticket through the corridors of tension
the flip side, the negative vibe
too easy to hate and too lazy to like
from the cold fronting to the demons inside
an invasion taking me over
exiled to an isle with my own paranoia
an awkwardness that drains me helpless
like paraplegics lying in comas
in touch with my nature's a corpse that lies under
send you into stasis with a cold look stare
give me someone (to hate)...
caught on the back step i sense something's missing
from this scene to the voices i'm hearing
into this perilous vortex of emotions
the battle commences with one's defences
so check out my stature
an instinctive procedure
motions a signal - don't you come any closer
the expression is a blank
no signs of weakness
disguise the guile as i hate myself
well don't pinch me now cos i'm feeling alive
from the cold fronting to the demons inside
an invasion taking me over
exiled to an isle with my own paranoia
an awkwardness that drains me helpless
like a bad dream forever falling in darkness
the flip side the negative vibe
so easy to hate and too lazy to like
The song "Someone to Hate" by King Prawn is a reflection on self-hatred and personal struggles. The lyrics delve into a dark, troublesome place where the singer is caught on a back step, metaphorically representing being stuck or trapped. He sees himself tripping and falling on the dark ship that he is traveling on. The darkness he represents signifies being lost in his own mind, feeling helpless and hopeless. His mirror image shatters into a thousand pieces, showing how he sees himself broken apart and feeling like there's no way to put himself back together.
The singer entertains and dwells on the negative thoughts of his reflection, representing how he is thinking about his flaws and shortcomings. The corridor of tension he travels through signifies the anxiety and stress he is facing. The flip side, the negative vibe, he feels, represents how he is too lazy to like himself and his situation. The line "an awkwardness that drains me helpless" indicates how he is uncomfortable or insecure around people, and he feels drained from it. The battle that commences with one's defences shows how he is fighting with his inner demons, trying to protect himself from any harm.
The chorus "give me someone to hate" represents how the singer feels better when he hates someone else more than he hates himself. He finds himself in a place where he is feeling dead inside like a corpse lying under. He is in touch with his nature, but it's only his lifeless body that remains. The awkwardness he feels, draining him helpless, makes him feel like he is in a bad dream forever falling in darkness. The song suggests that he may never be able to escape his self-hatred and inner demons if he continues on this path.
Line by Line Meaning
caught on the back step i see myself tripping
I'm experiencing a moment of vulnerability and instability in my life
on the dark ship that i be voyaging
I'm navigating through unknown and dangerous territory
into the darkest deepest recess
I'm descending into the depths of my mind, where my darkest thoughts reside
my mirror image shatters into a thousand pieces
I'm seeing myself in a way that is fragmented and distorted
as i entertain the thoughts of my reflection
As I contemplate my own inner demons and insecurities
a one way ticket through the corridors of tension
I'm on a path of constant conflict and turmoil
the flip side, the negative vibe
I tend to see things in a negative light, and it's easy for me to hate
too easy to hate and too lazy to like
I find it easier to hate than to put in the effort to like someone or something
well don't pinch me now cos i know i'm alive
Despite the difficulties I face, I'm aware of my own existence and feel alive
from the cold fronting to the demons inside
I'm constantly putting up a front to hide my own internal struggles and demons
an invasion taking me over
I feel like I'm being overwhelmed and taken over by my own negative emotions
exiled to an isle with my own paranoia
I feel isolated and alone with my own fears and worries
an awkwardness that drains me helpless
I feel like I'm unable to overcome my own awkwardness and it's draining me of my energy
like paraplegics lying in comas
I feel immobilized and helpless, like someone who is paralyzed
in touch with my nature's a corpse that lies under
I feel like my true self is buried beneath the surface and inaccessible
send you into stasis with a cold look stare
I have the ability to paralyze and immobilize others with my cold and apathetic demeanor
caught on the back step i sense something's missing
I'm aware that there is something lacking in my life
from this scene to the voices i'm hearing
I feel disconnected from my surroundings and the people around me
into this perilous vortex of emotions
I'm being dragged into a dangerous and turbulent emotional state
the battle commences with one's defences
I'm constantly fighting my own defenses and internal struggles
so check out my stature
I'm projecting an image of strength and invincibility
an instinctive procedure
My behavior is driven by instinct rather than reason
motions a signal - don't you come any closer
I'm warning others to stay away and not get too close to me
the expression is a blank
I'm hiding my true emotions and presenting a blank, emotionless expression
no signs of weakness
I refuse to show any signs of vulnerability or weakness
disguise the guile as i hate myself
I'm disguising my own cunning and deceitful nature by projecting my self-hatred onto others
like a bad dream forever falling in darkness
I feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare that never ends
so easy to hate and too lazy to like
I find it easier to hate than to put in the effort to like someone or something
Contributed by Daniel F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chezzers
Was at their last ever gig (for my first one) it was bloody mental. Great band!
AITV: ABINGDON INDEPENDENT
Great memories with this band around Surrender to the blender (excellent album). Saw them twice, seen a lot of gigs but hands down KP was the best atmosphere and performance.
dudersmart
I fukkin love this band.Saw them over ten times.I was gutted when they split up aswell. Could never understand why they never got the success they deserve. I guess that most people are content to be force fed the shit that gets played by the mainstream media.
EveKauai
Yo' - that's my bro'! - (the scary looking one; oh, wait - they're ALL scary looking! - I mean, the very tall one, on guitar, with my mouth!); amazing the way these guys kept a successful indie band going for nearly 20 year - finally, like most marriages after that much time, it fell apart...but they were incredibly dedicated for a really long time, and managed to make a lot 'happen', sans the assistance of any Big Label! Impressive.
PeteYourDoom
Such a good song, remember this being on a magazine compilation cd years ago.
Eric Ferrier
I didn't even know there was a video for this song! Awesome band - I was so sad when they split up.
Rudesby
Great band, was gutted when they split up. Cheers for uploading the video, first time I've seen it.
turt125
Cant wait to see these At slam dunk this year!
ukmachinehead
Met him few days ago at a gig in camden hes fucking cool. :-) well nice man.
D FITZY
Brilliant!