After a period in several obscure bands, Samson formed his own eponymous outfit, Samson, in 1978, consisting of Chris Aylmer on bass, and Clive Burr on drums. Burr left, and eventually joined Iron Maiden, and was replaced by the controversial Thunderstick, who wore a gimp mask on stage. At a time when the also masked Cambridge Rapist was making the news, he became a target for criticism. In 1979, the line-up was expanded to a four piece with the addition of Bruce Bruce (aka Bruce Dickinson) on vocals.
The band enjoyed a strong cult following in the best years of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal releasing the albums Survivors, Head On and Shock Tactics, until 1981 when Thunderstick left, and Bruce Bruce, who changed his name back to his real surname of Dickinson at this point, left to join Iron Maiden.
The talented vocalist Nicky Moore was recruited as replacement and Mel Gaynor then Pete Jupp took over drums, and this line-up released the commendable albums Before the Storm and Don't Get Mad Get Even. These two albums sold in higher quantities than the first three, and the band toured more countries and played to bigger audiences than the Bruce/Thunderstick lineup, although the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal was by now said to be a spent force. The band finally threw in the towel in 1984.
Samson spent the subsequent years in a variety of solo and group projects, including various temporary reformations of Samson, and had success as a producer, and also as a blues player, spending a year in Chicago. He played on the recording of the Ram Jam 1977 rock hit Black Betty.
In 2002 he died of cancer, whilst recording a new Samson album with Nicky Moore.
Once Bitten
Paul Samson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you don't stir me
You only cheat me
And I ain't gonna run around for you
You've got a bad reputation, I don't give a damn
You've got a bad reputation, I'm not a proud man
You've got a bad reputation, You've got a bad reputation
I've been bitten again, twice shy (x4)
Always teasing at the end of the phone
I feel like a dog without a bone
You're talking dirty but I'm on my own
Coming on the end of the f-f-f-Phone
I've been bitten again, twice shy (x4)
SOLO
I've been bitten again, twice shy (x8)
The lyrics to Paul Samson's song "Once Bitten" reflect the frustration and disappointment of a relationship that is going sour. The persona in the song has been mistreated by their partner, and it has caused them to feel numb and unaffected by their partner's actions. They feel as though they are being cheated by their partner but are unwilling to run around for them anymore. The persona is aware of their partner's bad reputation but seems to have lost all pride in the situation. They are aware that their partner is not trustworthy but continues to engage in behaviors such as teasing them at the end of the phone, making them feel used and discarded like a dog without a bone.
The repetition of "I've been bitten again, twice shy" throughout the song emphasizes the pain of being hurt in a relationship and the reluctance to be hurt again. The guitar solo in the song further expresses the emotion and anguish within the relationship. The lyrics suggest that the persona has been bitten before in a relationship and is now hesitant to invest emotionally again.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't move me
You don't excite me or convince me
you don't stir me
You don't evoke emotions or feelings in me
You only cheat me
You deceive, betray and dupe me
And I ain't gonna run around for you
I won't chase or pursue you
You've got a bad reputation, I don't give a damn
I don't care about your negative image or perception among others
You've got a bad reputation, I'm not a proud man
I'm not someone who takes pride or satisfaction in being associated with your bad reputation
You've got a bad reputation, You've got a bad reputation
You have a notorious and infamous reputation
I've been bitten again, twice shy (x4)
I've been hurt or let down before, so I'm cautious and reluctant now
Always teasing at the end of the phone
You keep flirting and teasing me over the phone
I feel like a dog without a bone
I feel empty, purposeless, and frustrated
You're talking dirty but I'm on my own
You're being vulgar and suggestive, but I'm alone and not interested
Coming on the end of the f-f-f-Phone
You're calling me and flirting with me using sexual innuendos
SOLO
Instrumental break
I've been bitten again, twice shy (x8)
I've been hurt or let down again, so I'm even more cautious and reluctant now
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind