1. Samson was a British hard… Read Full Bio ↴Multiple artists go by the name Samson.
1. Samson was a British hard rock band formed in 1977 by guitarist and vocalist Paul Samson. They are best known for their first three albums with future Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson, then known as "Bruce Bruce", and drummer Thunderstick (real name Barry Graham), who wore a leather mask and performed on stage in a metal cage. Drummer Clive Burr was also member of the band, both before and after his tenure with Iron Maiden. Drummer Mel Gaynor also had a successful music career being a member of Simple Minds for over 20 years.
After the release of their debut album Survivors in 1979, they spent the rest of the year touring on support of the album. In early 1980, Samson appeared as the opening act for Robin Trower's concerts, including dates at Hammersmith Odeon. The tour finished at Newcastle City Hall, where days later the band opened for Rainbow, on their Down to Earth tour. Here, Samson started performing for bigger audiences, but after some touring differences, they were cancelled for the rest of the dates.
The band's second album, Head On, was released July 1980, and peaked at #34 in the UK charts. The supporting tour was full of controversy and legal issues, due to problems with their management. They kept writing and rehearsing for a new record. Ten songs had already been composed, by October 1980, and were ready to be recorded. At the same time, the band re-issued their debut album, Survivors, now with Dickinson handling vocal duties. The tour continued until the end of the year, when Samson entered the studio to record their third album, Shock Tactics. This was the last album Dickinson recorded with the band. Samson faced an innumerable amount of problems with their management. They were always being booked on ill-matched support tours. After leaving their management in 1981 they discovered that their record company was going bankrupt. Dickinson said they "made every mistake in the business". His last performance with Samson was at the Reading Festival in 1981. This was recorded by the BBC and released in 1990, as the live album Live at Reading 1981.
The group effectively disbanded with Paul Samson's death from cancer on August 9, 2002. Bass player Chris Aylmer later died on January 9th 2007 following a battle with throat cancer. He was reported to have been responsible for suggesting the band's name. He assumed the role of bass player previously having been the band's soundman.
The band appeared in a short-movie Biceps of Steel in 1980, directed by Julien Temple, which was intended as the B-film to a major feature produced and promoted by the record company. The film featured two music-video type sequences which form the 15 minute film. Though it has been largely forgotten, clips from it were seen in the movie The Incubus (1981). However, in 2006, Biceps of Steel re-surfaced on Bruce Dickinson's Anthology DVD, Bruce himself introducing the video.
2. Samson was one of the more obscure outfits signed to Andrew Oldham's Immediate label, considering that they got to cut an entire concept album, Are You Samson?, which was released by the label in 1969. They played the Marquee Club, and were known around London, but never caught on. Keyboard man and singer Ian Kewley later worked with Strider and Limey, before hooking up with Paul Young. Samson brought into their music a successful blend of harmonies which sound akin to the Gregorian psych-era choral vocal parts of the Pretty Things and the Zombies, a touch of Deep Purple circa Shades of Purple, and a hint of the increasingly popular concept album. For sake of classification, their blending of Kinks-ish psych-pop with more progressive elements is befitting of the title progressive pop.
3. Samson is an Indie Rock band from Shepparton, Victoria, Australia. The previous line up includes: Luke Lewis-Guitar & vocals, Ash Beks-Guitar & vocals, Jake Warner-Bass & vocals and Ben Warner-Drums. They frequent iconic Shepparton venue "The Yahoo Bar" and played at the first inaugural "3630 Festival" in Shepparton. Known for their 60s style sound and lo-fi sounds. Disbanded in 2011 with several members of the band forming the band "Onett"
Hey You
Samson Lyrics
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Hey what's your name, what's that you're hiding?
Is that your car, you must be lying!!!
Pull in, hands up - so democratic...
If your face don't fit then there ain't nothing to it
Hey you, what's that you're doing?
Out on the streets, a social misfit
Now they retaliate with plastic bullets
Old scars of hate, so ultra modern
It's them or us who'll be downtrodden
Hey you, what's that you're doing?
'Cos this I gotta see...
Hey you, what's that you're saying?
Let's take the blood of the streets
I'd be fine if you'll just leave me alone
I'm giving you the truth
I've got one secret, a vision of two
I'll never be like you
The lyrics to Samson's song Hey You are politically charged and philosophical in nature. The lyrics talk about a person who is trying to fit in and be accepted in a world where conformity is the norm. The opening lines "Hey what's your name, what's that you're hiding? Is that your car, you must be lying!!!" indicate that the person is being judged on superficial factors like their name and possessions. The next lines "Pull in, hands up - so democratic...If your face don't fit then there ain't nothing to it" highlights the fact that people are expected to conform to societal norms even if it is undemocratic and unfair.
The next verse talks about the social misfits who are retaliated against with plastic bullets. The use of the term 'ultra modern' highlights the fact that hatred and discrimination have been prevalent throughout history and have just taken on new dimensions. The lines "It's them or us who'll be downtrodden" hint at the fact that society is divided into the haves and have-nots and there is a constant battle between the two. The chorus repeats the lines "Hey you, what's that you're doing? Hey you, what's that you're saying?" indicating that there is always an underlying sense of mistrust when it comes to individuality and personal expression.
The final lines "I'd be fine if you'll just leave me alone, I'm giving you the truth, I've got one secret, a vision of two, I'll never be like you" signify that there is an inherent need for each individual to be unique and that conformity is not always desirable. The song is a critique of the ways in which society tries to stifle individual expression and the price individuals pay for trying to conform to societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey what's your name, what's that you're hiding?
Asking what the person's name is and what they are trying to hide.
Is that your car, you must be lying!!!
Accusing the person that the car they are driving is not actually theirs.
Pull in, hands up - so democratic...
Saying to stop and raise your hands as democracy demands it.
If your face don't fit then there ain't nothing to it
Implying that if you don't fit in, then you are out of luck.
Hey you, what's that you're doing?
Asking what the person is doing.
Hey you, what's that you're saying?
Asking what the person is saying.
Out on the streets, a social misfit
Referring to being an outcast in the society.
Now they retaliate with plastic bullets
Saying that the response to being out of place is to be met with less severe consequences.
Old scars of hate, so ultra modern
Showing that even though hate has been around for a long time, it is still very much relevant in today's society.
It's them or us who'll be downtrodden
Suggesting that either you will be oppressed or the oppressor.
Hey you, what's that you're doing?
Asking what the person is doing.
'Cos this I gotta see...
Stating that they want to see what the person is doing.
Hey you, what's that you're saying?
Asking what the person is saying.
Let's take the blood of the streets
Suggesting that the people should fight back against the oppressor.
I'd be fine if you'll just leave me alone
Saying that they would be happy if everyone just left them alone.
I'm giving you the truth
Saying that they are being honest.
I've got one secret, a vision of two
Talking about a secret they have, which has two parts to it.
I'll never be like you
Asserting that they will never be like the oppressor or conform to society's norms.
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rich Schwartz
Pure super awsumness. !!!!
Myndir
Not the best time to go for a glam metal hit.