The band originally consisted of Eugene Reynolds (born Alan Forbes) vocals; Fay Fife (born Sheilagh Hynde) vocals; Jo Callis guitar; William Mysterious (born Alastair Donaldson), saxophone; Angel Patterson (born Alan Patterson), drums; Hi-Fi Harris guitar; Dr D.K. Smythe bass guitar and Gale Warning (Gail Jamieson) backing vocals. The Rezillos' early live repertoire included versions of songs originally recorded by the likes of the Sweet, Screaming Lord Sutch, Fleetwood Mac (in the guise of Earl Vince and the Valiants) and the Dave Clark Five. Bootleg recordings exist of this stage of the band's history.
This line-up released their first single "Can't Stand My Baby" on the indie record label, Sensible Records. This led to a major recording contract with Sire Records, home at that time to such other rising new wave acts as Talking Heads and The Ramones. The band also underwent a transformation, shedding both Hi-Fi Harris, Dr. D.K. Smythe, and two backing singers. William Mysterious then shifted to bassist for the band's debut album Can't Stand The Rezillos, widely regarded as a classic of both punk rock and New Wave. A second single "Flying Saucer Attack" / "My Baby Does Good Sculptures" grazed the lower reaches of the UK Singles Chart, and contained different versions of the songs found on the album release. Like the first single, it is considered highly collectable.[citation needed]
However, the quintet reached the Top 20 of the UK chart with their third single, "Top of the Pops" in 1978. By this time, William Mysterious had left the band to be replaced by another bass player Simon Templar (a pseudonym for Simon Bloomfield). The single version of "Top of the Pops" features him, whilst the album version was recorded with William Mysterious.
After releasing their debut album Can't Stand The Rezillos — also in 1978 — Reynolds and Fife left the original band. The live LP Mission Accomplished but the Beat Goes On remains as a testament to the original line-up. A final single, "Destination Venus" made the lower reaches of the UK chart, and earned them a final appearance on the actual Top of the Pops, a long running BBC One TV programme.
2000 A.D.
Rezillos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If 2000 AD
Was ever in place
For someone like me
I look at the future
For a paperback culture
I think there was more
In 1964
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
It's easy to see
That 2000 AD
Will never appear
A reality
It's a slap in the face
For the human race
Just to survive
To be eaten alive
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
2000 AD
I'm happy to be
Where everything's new
And nothing is free
I live in the future
With the paperback culture
I came through the door
From 1964
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
The Rezillos’ “2000 AD” is a catchy punk rock song that ruminates on what the future should have held as it boldly aims to pierce the veil of the new century. The song speaks of the singer’s ideas about what the future holds and how it is not what they expected it to be. The upbeat and energetic music is a stark contrast to the bleak lyrics. The singer is looking towards the year 2000 AD and wonders if it will hold any promise for someone like them.
The singer is disillusioned when they realize that the future that they envisioned is not the one that came to fruition. The future they had hoped for was one filled with new discoveries and innovations, a future that existed only in their imagination. They lament the fact that the idealistic future they imagined did not come into being. Instead, all they see is a society that is struggling to survive and being eaten alive.
The song speaks to the disillusionment felt by many in the face of the new millennium. As we approach the turn of another century, it is interesting to contemplate what kind of future we are creating for ourselves. The Rezillos’ “2000 AD” resonates with its audience because it speaks to the hopes and fears that accompany the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanted to see
I was eager to find out
If 2000 AD
Whether the year 2000 AD
Was ever in place
Had come into existence
For someone like me
For a person of my kind
I look at the future
I envision what's ahead
For a paperback culture
With a society that reads paperbacks
I think there was more
I believe there was greater potential
In 1964
In the year 1964
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
Expressing disappointment or disbelief
It's easy to see
It's plainly evident
That 2000 AD
That the year 2000 AD
Will never appear
Won't be realized
A reality
A truth
It's a slap in the face
It's a harsh reminder
For the human race
For humanity
Just to survive
Only to keep going
To be eaten alive
To suffer greatly
2000 AD
The year 2000 AD
I'm happy to be
I'm content with being where
Where everything's new
Where everything is constantly changing
And nothing is free
And nothing comes without cost
I live in the future
I belong to a future-oriented society
With the paperback culture
With a society that reads paperbacks
I came through the door
I made my way through time
From 1964
From the year 1964
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
Expressing disappointment or disbelief
Contributed by Gabriel E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.