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.
Physical Violence
Rough Trade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gloved hand discipline
I don't need a Ph.D.
To see you have criminal tendencies
I can feel your hands on my throat
Face turning red
I'm not your punching bag
Dish it out but you can't take it
Physical violence won't abate it
Take a cold shower
I'll raise the white flag
I'll raise the white flag
I'll surrender unconditionally
No more physical violence
Muffled scream
Wanna dictate dominate
Don't want a repeat of the Second World War
That crap don't fizz on me
I can hear those bombs over Tokyo
V2s over London
Tanks on the Sahara
Fighters over Italy
Emperor Hirohito
Mussolini
Just because you have a flaccid ego
I can understand sympathize
I ain't your ashtray
Try and cry
Dish it out but you can't take it
Physical violence
Standing there in your leather drag
Shaking in your boots
Lash out feel like a fool
With physical violence
I can see the terror in your eyes
Face turning red
I'm not your punching bad
Go to bed
Dish it out but you can't take it
Physical violence won't abate it
Pour yourself a scotch
I'll raise the white flag
I'll raise the white flag
I'll surrender unconditionally
No more physical violence
You can't, you can't
Manipulate me
Is it really physical
Physical, physical
Violence
"Physical Violence" by Rough Trade is a song that speaks about domestic violence and the painful impact it has on an individual. The song touches upon the theme of physical and emotional abuse in a relationship, highlighting the vulnerability of the victim and the desperate need for it to stop. The first verse talks about the abusive partner's dangerous fascination with dominance, and the victim's realization of the partner's tendencies. The second verse is a scream of protest against the abuser's actions, and the outcry for the violence to stop.
The chorus emphasizes the depth of the victim's pain, alluding to the point where they surrender "unconditionally" and wave the white flag. It speaks about the realization that nothing can be gained from continuing down the same path of violence. The final verse is a direct confrontation with the abuser, demanding accountability for their actions and expressing a strong desire to break free.
Overall, "Physical Violence" is a powerful and important song that sheds light on a pressing issue. It serves as a call to action for people to break away from abusive situations and rebuild themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
You're intrigued with a mystique
You're fascinated by a certain aura or quality about me
Gloved hand discipline
You're into BDSM and enjoy inflicting pain on me
I don't need a Ph.D.
I don't need a degree to see that you have violent tendencies
To see you have criminal tendencies
It's obvious that you have a propensity towards criminal behavior
I can feel your hands on my throat
I can sense that you want to harm me physically by choking me
Face turning red
You're getting angry and losing control of your emotions
I'm not your punching bag
I refuse to be a target for your physical aggression
Go to bed
You need to calm down and take a break from your violent tendencies
Dish it out but you can't take it
You're willing to hurt others, but you can't handle being hurt yourself
Physical violence won't abate it
Using physical violence won't solve the underlying problem
Take a cold shower
Take a moment to cool off and control your temper
I'll raise the white flag
I surrender and refuse to engage in any further violence
I'll surrender unconditionally
I'm willing to give up everything to avoid violence
No more physical violence
I refuse to engage in any more physical aggression
Muffled scream
You're trying to suppress your violent impulses and urges
Wanna dictate dominate
You want to control and manipulate me through violent means
Don't want a repeat of the Second World War
I don't want to engage in a violent conflict like World War II
That crap don't fizz on me
I'm immune to your attempts to intimidate and scare me
I can hear those bombs over Tokyo
I can imagine the horror and devastation caused by wartime bombing
Just because you have a flaccid ego
Your insecurities and weaknesses cause you to turn towards violence
I can understand sympathize
I can relate to your struggles, but I won't tolerate violent behavior
I ain't your ashtray
I won't allow you to use me as a means to express your violent tendencies
Try and cry
You can try and act tough, but it won't change anything
Standing there in your leather drag
You're trying to appear tough and intimidating through your clothing
Shaking in your boots
You're actually scared and intimidated by me
Lash out feel like a fool
You're lashing out violently because you feel embarrassed or vulnerable
Pour yourself a scotch
Drink alcohol to calm down and reduce violent tendencies
You can't, you can't
You can't manipulate me or control me through violence
Is it really physical
Are you really going to resort to physical violence?
Physical, physical
Physical violence is not the answer
Violence
Referring to the act of physical aggression
Contributed by Matthew E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.