Mott the Hoople formed when Silence, a not-too-successful group from the Welsh borders, was joined by session pianist and rock and roll hopeful Ian Hunter along with musicians Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Pete Overend Watts, and Dale Griffin . They developed from Dylan obsessives to their own character over the course of four albums for Island. They were a very popular live act but only achieved brief commercial success.
In 1971, the band was close to splitting up but continued to record track "All the Young Dudes", a song written for them by up and coming pop star and fan David Bowie. Three more albums and several pop hits later, the group fell apart after Ian Hunter left in 1974. The remaining members mutated into Mott, an 'also-ran' band which released two albums before disbanding in 1976. Original guitarist Ralphs had a massive boost in his fortunes as a member of rockers Bad Company.
Griffin died in his sleep on 17 January 2016 at the age of 67 and Watts died, almost exactly a year later, on 22 January 2017, from throat cancer.
Crash Street Kids
Mott the Hoople Lyrics
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See my clothes, I dress to kill
See my blood and see my gun
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Better run, better run, better run)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(You'll get done, you'll get done, you'll get done)
Heed my faults and heed my curse
A new town nothing, send for the hearse
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Better run, better run, better run)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Just for fun, just for fun, just for fun)
Pull down the wires, set you on fire
I'm getting too tired to resist
We'll torture your flats
You keep us like rats
Then you tell 'em we're brats
And the press twist our fist
Get me out of this mess
Hear me swear, hear every word
I ain't just a number, I wanna be heard
A TV announcer he talks to the scum
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Better run, better run, better run)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Prick your thumb, prick your thumb, prick your thumb)
I ain't been solved, I'm uninvolved
I've been annulled and I can't seem to prove it
And you're so pure, you know the cures
Just keep us poor, the juvenile delinquent bit
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Better run, better run, better run)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(One's your son, one's your son, one's your son)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Better hide, better hide, better hide)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Take a ride, take a ride, take a ride)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(You're too late, you're too late, you're too late)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Where's your mates? Where's your mates? Where's your mates? )
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(You're exposed, you're exposed, you're exposed)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Now you're closed, now you're closed, now you're closed)
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
(Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead)
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
The lyrics to Mott the Hoople's song "Crash Street Kids" are a commentary on the disillusionment and rebellion of youth in the face of the hypocrisy and corruption of authority figures. The singer urges the listener to see his thoughts, scars, and clothes, which represent his personal history and identity. He also urges the listener to see his blood and gun, which represent his anger and frustration with the world. The "crash street kids" are a symbol of this rebellious youth culture, who are coming to get the listener, representing a warning to those in positions of power. The singer is frustrated by the lack of understanding and empathy from those in authority, and sees them as the source of the problems facing youth.
Throughout the song, the lyrics reference themes of violence, oppression, and resistance. The singer describes pulling down wires and setting people on fire, representing the desire to destroy systems of control. He also speaks about being kept like rats, which represents the way that youth are often treated as disposable by society. The repeated refrain of "better run" represents the sense of urgency and danger that the singer feels, and the feeling that there may be no escape from this cycle of violence and oppression.
Overall, the song speaks to the timeless theme of youth rebellion and the struggle of young people to find their place in the world. It also presents a critique of authority figures and the systems that they perpetuate.
Line by Line Meaning
See my thoughts and then see my scars
I want you to know my innermost feelings and struggles through the physical markings on my body
See my clothes, I dress to kill
I wear provocative clothing as a statement of power and a symbol of rebellion
See my blood and see my gun
I am not afraid to bleed or use violence to achieve my goals
The crash street kids are comin' to get ya
My rebellious group is on the hunt for those who have wronged us and we will not rest until justice is served
(Better run, better run, better run)
My warning is serious - if you are our target, you had better flee quickly
(You'll get done, you'll get done, you'll get done)
If you do not run, you will suffer the consequences of our actions
Heed my faults and heed my curse
Listen to my warnings and acknowledge the obstacles that stand in our way
Heed my frustration, you just don't know
I am deeply frustrated with the injustices that have been inflicted upon me and you cannot understand the depth of my anger
A new town nothing, send for the hearse
Even in a new place where I am unknown, I still have the power to cause harm and destruction
(Just for fun, just for fun, just for fun)
Our actions may seem unprovoked or unnecessary, but we act purely for our own enjoyment
Pull down the wires, set you on fire
We will destroy your means of communication and physically harm you without hesitation
I'm getting too tired to resist
I am becoming drained from constantly fighting against the injustices we face
We'll torture your flats
We will damage your living spaces and make them uninhabitable
You keep us like rats
We feel trapped and exploited by those who hold power over us
Then you tell 'em we're brats
Our justified anger and rebellion is dismissed as childish or immature
And the press twist our fist
The media portrays us in a negative light and distorts our message
Get me out of this mess
I am desperate to escape the oppressive cycle of violence and injustice that we face
Hear me swear, hear every word
Take my vow seriously - I am not making empty threats
I ain't just a number, I wanna be heard
I refuse to be dehumanized or overlooked - I demand to be seen and heard as an individual
A TV announcer he talks to the scum
Even those who are supposed to inform and represent us are dismissive and condescending
(Prick your thumb, prick your thumb, prick your thumb)
Our actions will cause you harm and will not be taken lightly
I ain't been solved, I'm uninvolved
My problems and struggles have not been adequately addressed or resolved
I've been annulled and I can't seem to prove it
I feel invalidated and powerless to change the system that oppresses me
And you're so pure, you know the cures
Those in power act as though they have all the answers and are morally superior
Just keep us poor, the juvenile delinquent bit
The system perpetuates poverty and criminalization of young people in order to maintain control over us
(One's your son, one's your son, one's your son)
We are all someone's child, and yet we are treated as disposable and unworthy of respect and care
(Better hide, better hide, better hide)
You cannot escape us forever - one day we will confront you and make our voices heard
(Take a ride, take a ride, take a ride)
Our actions may seem random or chaotic, but we have a purpose and plan behind them
(You're too late, you're too late, you're too late)
We have already set our plans in motion, and it is too late for you to stop us
(Where's your mates? Where's your mates? Where's your mates?)
You are alone and vulnerable - where are those who are supposed to support and protect you?
(You're exposed, you're exposed, you're exposed)
We have uncovered your secrets and flaws - you cannot conceal them any longer
(Now you're closed, now you're closed, now you're closed)
You have lost your power and control, and we are the ones who hold the upper hand
(Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead)
Our revenge is complete - you have been defeated and destroyed
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
Our victory is absolute and final - you will not recover from our actions
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
We have proven our power and will not be silenced or oppressed any longer
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
Our actions may have had violent consequences, but we believe they were necessary to achieve justice and freedom
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
We will not forget the injustices we have faced or the power and unity we have found in rebellion
Now, you're dead, now, you're dead, now, you're dead
Our anger and pain have been transformed into strength and resolve - we will not be silenced or defeated
Contributed by Kaylee A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.