Crisis
Poison Girls/Vi Subversa Lyrics


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Is it normal is it normal
Is it just another day
Have they emptied out the rubbish
Have the kids gone out to play
Are you waiting while the bath fills up
Watching while they read the papers
Read the headlines over breakfast
Breadlines deadlines has the milk come
It is time to have a crisis
Is it safe to go out shopping
Crisis crisis panic buying
Water dripping on the carpet

Is it normal, is it normal
Is it just another day?

Are you waiting while the bath fills up
Watching while they read the papers
Have the shops ran out of rubbish
Is it time to have a crisis
Spill the beans and take your clothes off
Can you stand it if I touch you
Watching while they read the papers
Water dripping on the carpet
Can I say no, will he hit me
Plaster falling off the ceiling
Can you stand it if I touch you
Break the ice burn the house down

Is it normal, is it normal
Is it just another day

Is it safe to go out shopping
Leave the kids outside the toilet
Water dripping on the carpet
Leave the kids outside the local
Strangers tapping at the window
Is it time to have a crisis
Watching while they read the papers
Peel the onions, ask no questions
Hit the baby, stop it screaming
Can you stand it if I touch you
Break the ice and burn the house down

Normal Normal Crisis Crisis
Normal Normal Rape Crisis
Normal Crisis Normal Crisis
Crisis Murder Normal Normal





Is it normal, is this normal
Is it just another day?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Crisis" by Poison Girls/Vi Subversa touch on themes of societal norms, domesticity, and the potential for crisis within everyday life. The song begins with questions about what is considered normal and whether it's just another ordinary day. It highlights the mundane activities like filling up a bath, reading newspapers, and shopping, but also raises the question of whether these activities can be disrupted by a crisis.


The repetition of the phrase "Is it normal, is it normal" throughout the song implies a sense of uncertainty and doubt about the state of things. The reference to breadlines and deadlines hints at economic struggle and the pressure of living in a society with limited resources. The line "Can I say no, will he hit me" speaks to the fear and abuse that can exist within intimate relationships, touching upon power dynamics and control.


As the song progresses, it becomes more intense and chaotic. The lyrics introduce images of water dripping on the carpet, plaster falling off the ceiling, and strangers tapping at the window. These descriptions create a sense of discomfort and uncertainty, blurring the line between what is considered normal and what is not.


The final refrain of "Normal Normal Crisis Crisis" and "Crisis Murder Normal Normal" suggests a juxtaposition between the expectations of normalcy and the potential for violence or harm within society. It challenges the notion that crisis and violence are abnormal occurrences, perhaps hinting at a critique of a society that perpetuates such problems.


Overall, "Crisis" by Poison Girls/Vi Subversa explores the fragile nature of normalcy, the potential for crisis within everyday life, and the societal pressures that contribute to these dynamics.


Line by Line Meaning

Is it normal is it normal
Is this situation considered normal?


Is it just another day
Is this just an ordinary day?


Have they emptied out the rubbish
Has the garbage been collected?


Have the kids gone out to play
Are the children outside playing?


Are you waiting while the bath fills up
Are you patiently waiting as the bathtub fills with water?


Watching while they read the papers
Observing others as they read the newspapers


Read the headlines over breakfast
Reading the news headlines during breakfast time


Breadlines deadlines has the milk come
Are there long queues at the bread shop? Are there imminent deadlines to meet? Has the milk delivery arrived?


It is time to have a crisis
The situation demands an immediate crisis


Is it safe to go out shopping
Is it secure to go shopping?


Crisis crisis panic buying
Widespread panic buying due to the crisis


Water dripping on the carpet
Water leaking onto the carpet


Spill the beans and take your clothes off
Reveal the secrets and undress yourself


Can you stand it if I touch you
Can you tolerate my touch?


Can I say no, will he hit me
Am I allowed to refuse? Will he respond violently?


Plaster falling off the ceiling
Pieces of plaster falling from the ceiling


Break the ice burn the house down
Break the silence and destroy everything


Leave the kids outside the toilet
Leave the children unattended outside the restroom


Leave the kids outside the local
Leave the kids unattended outside the neighborhood establishment


Strangers tapping at the window
Unknown individuals tapping on the window


Watching while they read the papers
Observing others as they read the newspapers


Peel the onions, ask no questions
Peel the onions without questioning


Hit the baby, stop it screaming
Physically harm the infant to make it stop screaming


Break the ice and burn the house down
Break the silence and destroy everything


Normal Normal Crisis Crisis
The usual, the mundane, then sudden crisis


Normal Normal Rape Crisis
The usual, the mundane, then a crisis involving rape


Normal Crisis Normal Crisis
The usual, then a crisis, back to the usual, then another crisis


Crisis Murder Normal Normal
A crisis involving murder interrupts the usual and mundane


Is it normal, is this normal
Is this situation considered normal?


Is it just another day?
Is this just an ordinary day?




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Poison Girls

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Sarah Slater

She is a legend! What an incredible human. One of the best lyricists of all time too; her spirit will carry on in every patriarchy smashers around the world.

Eddie Oi

Wow Vi just made me realise how bloody old we’ve all become!..RIP young lady

Talentedtadpole

Now this is how to do 80 years of age!
Undimmed right until the end.
Bless you Vi.

Rust

Where was she in the 2nd ww

(JB) Грязный Гриб

Rest in Peace you absolute legend!!!

Funerealnight 1349

A legendary musician/songwriter and someone who made an immense impact on my life . RIP, Vi !

Joe Stunner Music

Enough to bring a tear to a glass eye. Love you, Vi. R.I.P.

Doug E

First band I ever saw live was the Poison Girls....they were playing with Crass in Reading, England during the Spring of 1981....I still remember how excited I was to hear a big band live! Hearing of Vi's passing is very sad.....RIP.

Nick Barber

Sounds like a top gig, I saw them in Norwich in 82, supported by Rubella Ballet. For me The Poison Girls are a much missed band.

dave h

Saw them at stonehenge..biggest regrets never seeing crass or dead kennedys

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