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"
Vice Versa
Samson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She knew I'd never leave
She thought that she could make it
I could never believe
[STICK:]
She looked so healthy
and she looked so clean
was she mean
Vice versa, vice versa
[VERSE TWO:]
She could roll you over
and make you blind
She could say things to astound
the dirtiest mind
She looked so healthy
and she looked so clean
But when she got to bite her
was she mean
[SOLO]
Vice versa, vice versa
[SOLO]
[REPEAT VERSE TWO]
[REPEAT STICK]
Vice versa, vice versa [x2]
Turning you around
The song "Vice Versa" by Samson narrates a story of a woman who is a deceptive cheat. The persona in the song knew this woman well and was aware of her manipulative ways. He was conscious that she was a "two-timer" and thus had doubts about the honesty of their relationship. Although she tried to convince him that she was faithful, he could neither believe her nor leave her. The woman, on the other hand, was smart enough to understand that the persona was unaware of her tricks and therefore, thought she could play with his emotions. Through the use of the phrase "vice versa," the song shows the duplicitous nature of the woman who could manipulate her way around relationships with men.
The chorus, "Vice versa, vice versa, turning you around," further emphasizes the ever-changing nature of relationships, where people can't always be trusted to remain loyal. The verses show how this woman could play with men's feelings and make them blind to her deceptions by painting herself as a healthy, clean and respectable person. However, she had a dark side that was mean and manipulative when she had enough power.
Line by Line Meaning
She was a real two timer
She was not loyal to her partner and cheated on him
She knew I'd never leave
She had the feeling that her partner would never leave her despite her infidelity
She thought that she could make it
She believed that she could get away with her cheating and continue the relationship as if nothing happened
I could never believe
Her partner could never believe that she was cheating on him
She looked so healthy
She appeared to be in good physical condition
and she looked so clean
She appeared to be hygienic and well-groomed
But when she got to bite you
But when she revealed her true nature or true intentions
was she mean
She was cruel or unkind
Vice versa, vice versa
The opposite is also true
She could roll you over
She could overpower you mentally or physically
and make you blind
She could deceive or manipulate you so much that you couldn't see the truth
She could say things to astound
She could say surprising or shocking things
the dirtiest mind
Someone who had impure or lascivious thoughts
Turning you around
Making you change your mind or point of view
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GRAHAM PURKIS, BLISHERS SEE MEMO - P ZOMBA IP, BRUCE DICKINSON, CHRISTOPHER R. AYLMER, PAUL SAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ian2844
I remember meeting Bruce Bruce as he was at that time at the bar in the Marquee in Wardour Street.
@RobertWeingher
The song and the video are fantastic, R.I.P. Paul Samson.
@Chrisamusic1
The drums on this are brilliant.Thunderstick rules! ❤
@JimBobSr
I remember listening to this when I was young and the riff came into my head for no reason. So now I am listening to this.
@jonshaw9472
I couldn't believe the funny little man in white was gonna replace the great Paul Dianno back in 1981, as a kid I was devastated...but I soon came round to the idea on the next Maiden tour (Beast on the road) when Bruce launched into 'Murders in the Rue Morgue'...yes, this is gonna work out OK!
@FearV0RTEX
Great Metal song with pre-Maiden Bruce!
@davedocherty7189
This video was also in a movie in the early eighties called The Incubus, a low budget horror flick, first time I heard Bruce Dickinson as Iron Maiden was looking for a new singer at the same time. Cool stuff
@jclaytoncabral5106
I had just become an Iron Maiden fan then watched this movie at my uncle’s place.
I was blown away!
@dagobertorodriguez1224
Si la recuerdo. Y casi me cagué del susto, no por el Incubus si no por ver a mi ídolo en la película
@eddiethehead4791
Bruce though 😍