The Voidoids were started in 1976 when Richard Hell left The Heartbreakers. The first lineup consisted of Hell, Quine, Julian and Bell. The band released what has been considered their best album, Blank Generation, in 1977. This lineup dissolved around 1979.
A new lineup in 1982, this time with Hell, Quine and new members Naux (Juan Maciel) on guitar and Fred Maher on drums, was featured on The Voidoids second album Destiny Street. According to Hell, Destiny Street suffered due to Hell's being distracted during the recording process, especially by the use of narcotics. This second lineup dissolved around 1985.
1990 saw the release of the live album Funhunt (Live at the CBGB's & Max's), which was compiled from a series of audience tapes recorded between 1978 and 1985. 1990 also featured a reformation for a Japanese tour.
In 2009 Destiny Street Repaired, a remake and "repair" of Destiny Street, was released. Destiny Street Repaired featured guitarists Marc Ribot, Bill Frisell and Ivan Julian playing along to the original rhythm tracks.
Their best known songs were "Blank Generation", "Love Comes in Spurts", "The Kid With the Replaceable Head" and "Time".
Who Says?
Richard Hell and the Voidoids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got, I got mad, so
I guess I went bad, so
Now I search for new endeavors
Push my buttons, wear my levers
Who says it's good, good, good to be alive, baby?
Who says it's good, good, good to be alive?
It ain't no good, it's a perpetual dive
There's nothing to win by
This sort of an outcry
Oh yeah we all know why
'Cause the world a person lives in
Is his brain, well mine just gives in
Who says it's good, good, good to be alive, baby?
Same ones who keep it a perpetual jive, baby
Who says it's good, good, good to be alive?
It ain't no good, it's a perpetual dive
It's clear that I choose to
Live on, I'm so used to
But still it ain't news to
Ditch it say when one incentive's
Gained and gone though, you're inventive
Who says it's good, good, good to be alive, baby?
Same ones who keep it a perpetual jive
Who says it's good, good, good to be alive?
It ain't no good, it's a perpetual dive
Once born, you're addicted
And so you depict it
As good, but who kicked it?
Users just can't see the horror
Tell one if you want to bore her
Who says it's good, good, good to be alive, baby?
Same ones who keep it a perpetual jive, baby
Who says it's good, good, good to be alive?
It ain't no good, it's a perpetual dive
The song "Who Says?" by Richard Hell and the Voidoids is a cynical evaluation of the notion that it's good to be alive. The lyrics suggest that life is a continuous struggle that people invent and choose to live on through, even though it's not always worth it. The lines "I saw what I had, so I got mad, so I guess I went bad" suggest that dissatisfaction with one's current situation can lead to a negative outlook on life.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that the world a person lives in is ultimately their own creation, with the line "the world a person lives in is his brain, well mine just gives in." This suggests that the singer's outlook on life is influenced by his own mindset, and that it's difficult to remain positive in a world that can often be overwhelming.
The chorus "Who says it's good, good, good to be alive, baby? Same ones who keep it a perpetual jive, baby" expresses the singer's frustration with the way society continually promotes the idea that life is good, even though it can often be difficult and disappointing. In the final verse, the lyrics suggest that people are addicted to life and its inherent struggles, even though they may not always enjoy it.
Overall, "Who Says?" presents a bleak view of life and questions the societal norm that it's always good to be alive.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw what I had, so
I realized what I had, and
I got, I got mad, so
I became angry and
I guess I went bad, so
I became a bad person, and
Now I search for new endeavors
I seek out new experiences, and
Push my buttons, wear my levers
I challenge myself, and
Who says it's good, good, good to be alive, baby?
Who claims that life is great?
Same ones who keep it a perpetual jive, baby
It's the same people who are dishonest about it.
It ain't no good, it's a perpetual dive
Life is not good, but a continuous fall.
There's nothing to win by
There's nothing to gain from
This sort of an outcry
This type of complaining.
Oh yeah we all know why
We all know why we complain like this.
'Cause the world a person lives in
Because a person's world is
Is his brain, well mine just gives in
Their own mind, which I can't control.
It's clear that I choose to
I clearly choose to
Live on, I'm so used to
Keep on living, as I'm accustomed to.
But still it ain't news to
But it's not a new concept for me to
Ditch it say when one incentive's
Abandon it once one's motivation is
Gained and gone though, you're inventive
Obtained and lost, one needs to be creative.
Once born, you're addicted
From the moment you're born, you're hooked
And so you depict it
And you describe it
As good, but who kicked it?
As good, but who is responsible for this lie?
Users just can't see the horror
People are blind to the tragedy,
Tell one if you want to bore her
Telling someone this will make them bored.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD HELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind