1. Rough Trade is… Read Full Bio ↴There are more than one artist named Rough Trade:
1. Rough Trade is a Canadian group, lead by singer Carole Pope and multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples, which gained success in the 70s and 80s. Their music is filled with themes of catastropic power and dimestore novel smut, entertainingly delivered by Pope's powerful voice.
2. Rough Trade is a punk band from Ålesund, Norway. They released a 7" in 1980, and have been featured on compilations such as "Anarki & kaos" and "Bloodstains Across Norway".
3. Rough Trade is a spoken word artist from Australia that focuses on homoerotic content.
Hostage
Rough Trade Lyrics
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Barricades and dogs
You grabbed me on the corner, sure I was a goner
I fought like a spitfire
My life flashed by
You held me your prisoner
I tried to resist ya
Stunning me with a stinging slap
Oh God, I was your hostage
Your eyes were filled with hate as you dragged
Me through the police lines
When you cot me alone I prayed you weren't
Completely deranged
I fought like a spitfire
My life flashed by
You held me your prisoner
I tried to resist ya
You pulled me onto your lap then you
Laughed a nervous laugh
Oh God, I was your hostage
You had your gun out
You had your gun out
You had your gun out
I opened my mouth
You had your gun out
The lyrics of Rough Trade's song "Hostage" describe the experience of being kidnapped by a stranger on the streets. The singer is assaulted and held captive by an angry, violent person who has a gun. The song starts with a scene of chaos: the streets are filled with police barricades and dogs. Suddenly, the singer is snatched by their captor, and they fight back fiercely, like a "spitfire." However, the captor's grip is too strong, and they are taken prisoner. The singer is stunned and frightened by the experience, as they feel powerless against their captor's aggression.
The second verse of the song continues the story of the hostage situation. The captor drags the singer through the police lines, and they are alone together. The singer is scared that their captor might be insane, but they still fight back, hoping to escape. However, once again, their efforts are in vain, and they are taken prisoner once more. The captor seems to take pleasure in their power over the singer, laughing at them nervously, even though they are the one holding the gun. The song ends with a distressing image--the singer realizes that their captor has the gun out and feels trapped, unable to call for help or escape.
"Hostage" is a haunting song about a terrible experience that is sadly all too common. Through its lyrics, it provides a vivid description of what it feels like to be held captive by someone who has such a strong urge to hurt others. The desperation and fear expressed in the song make it a powerful commentary on the importance of safety and the need for compassion in our society.
Line by Line Meaning
It was hell on the streets, cops
The situation on the streets was chaotic with barricades and dogs, along with police officers present.
You grabbed me on the corner, sure I was a goner
The singer was taken hostage by force, leaving them in a vulnerable position.
I fought like a spitfire
Despite being held captive, the singer put up a strong resistance.
My life flashed by
The artist felt as though their life was in danger, with time appearing to move faster.
You held me your prisoner
The captor maintained full control over the artist's movements and freedom.
I tried to resist ya
The singer actively tried to push back against their captor's authority.
Stunning me with a stinging slap
The captor used physical force to intimidate the singer.
Your grip was tight as a steel trap
The captor held onto the artist with great force, making it difficult to break free.
Oh God, I was your hostage
The artist felt trapped and helpless under the control of their captor.
Your eyes were filled with hate as you dragged
The captor appeared to harbour strong negative emotions towards the artist.
Me through the police lines
The singer was transported through an area where police officers were stationed.
When you cot me alone I prayed you weren't
The artist feared for their safety when left alone with the captor.
Completely deranged
The singer was unsure if the captor had lost their mind and posed a greater threat.
You pulled me onto your lap then you
The captor displayed inappropriate behaviour towards the singer.
Laughed a nervous laugh
The captor seemed to be anxious or nervous about their actions.
You had your gun out
The captor was heavily armed, posing a serious threat to the artist's life.
I opened my mouth
The artist may have attempted to plead with the captor.
Contributed by Kennedy D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.