Sham 69 released their first single, "Ulster", on Step Forward Records in August 1977, and its success in the independent charts prompted Polydor to sign the band. Their major label debut was "Borstal Breakout" in January 1978, followed by UK singles chart success with "Angels With Dirty Faces" (reaching number 19 in May 1978), "If The Kids Are United" (number 9 in July 1978), and "Hurry Up Harry" (number 10 in October 1978). The latter came from their second LP and first full studio album, That's Life.
They then started to move away from punk rock into a sound heavily influenced by classic British hard rock bands such as Mott The Hoople, The Who and The Faces, evidenced on their third album, The Adventures of the Hersham Boys. Sham 69 broke up after their fourth album. Pursey moved in a heavy metal direction after working with the remaining members of the Sex Pistols for a short time, under the name Sham Pistols. Dave Treganna joined the pioneering 1980s glam-punk-Gothic band, The Lords of the New Church, with Stiv Bators of The Dead Boys and Brian James of The Damned.
Pursey resurrected Sham 69 in the 1990s with a different line-up, but without major success. "If The Kids Are United" was used in a McDonald's advertising campaign, long after the rights to their songs had been sold. Pursey is a vegetarian, and appeared in the UK media condemning the use of one of his songs by what - he saw - as a multi-national animal and human abuser. The band gained further media attention when "If The Kids Are United" was played during UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's entrance at the 2005 Labour Party Conference. As a result of this, they were invited onto BBC TV's current affairs programme, Newsnight to sing a version of the song. Altered lyrics were sung, including "Mr. Blair / We know you care / So bring them home / Don't leave them there", referring to the troops remaining in Iraq after the the 2003 invasion.
In 2006, Virgin Radio listeners voted overwhelmingly for Jimmy Pursey to record a song to support England in the FIFA World Cup. The song was based on the Sham 69 hit, "Hurry Up Harry", and instead of the lyric being, "We're going down the pub", it was changed to, "We're going to win the cup!" The resulting single, "Hurry Up England" reached number 10 in the UK Top 40, becoming the band's first such hit for over 26 years.
In 2006 Jimmy Pursey left Sham 69, leaving guitarist Dave Parsons to carry on with a new singer. Sham 69 continues to tour in this new line up.
Tell Us the Truth
Sham 69 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can see them pass us by
Looking at us but not talking to us
Now we see them talking about us
Whispering lies all around us
Not wanting us to know the truth
Tell us the truth
You're a fool if you do
If only we could get together
Then I know we'd live forever
Live forever Live forever
Tell us the truth
Don't let us down
You're a fool if you do
If only we could get together
Then I know we'd live forever
Live forever Live forever
Tell us the truth
Don't let us down
You're a fool if you do
The lyrics to Sham 69's song "Tell Us the Truth" express frustration and a desire for honesty from those in authority. The opening lines suggest that the band members are aware of people watching them but not engaging with them. They become aware of these people spreading lies about them, which reinforces the sense that there is something going on behind the scenes.
The chorus of the song is a passionate call for truth-telling. The repetition of the phrase "tell us the truth" highlights the urgency of the situation. The line "you're a fool if you do" suggests that there will be consequences for those who withhold the truth. The final verse suggests that by coming together and seeking honesty from those in power, people can "live forever". This could be interpreted as a desire for a more just society or a world that is not plagued by corruption and deceit.
Overall, the lyrics to "Tell Us the Truth" speak to a common human desire for transparency from those in power. They also suggest that there may be hope for a better future if people are able to unite and demand honesty and accountability.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the corners of our eyes
We notice people passing us by but avoid direct communication
We can see them pass us by
People avoid us despite being able to see us
Looking at us but not talking to us
People look our way but refuse to engage
Now we see them talking about us
People start spreading rumors about us behind our backs
Whispering lies all around us
Falsehoods circulate around us without our knowledge
Not wanting us to know the truth
Those around us don't have our best interests in mind and keep us unaware of the facts
Tell us the truth
We demand that people be honest with us
Don’t let us down
Don't disappoint us by withholding or distorting information
You're a fool if you do
People who deceive us are foolish
If only we could get together
If we could only unite
Then I know we'd live forever
We could create a better world that would last for all time
Live forever Live forever
Any solutions should be long-lasting
Tell us the truth
We demand that people be honest with us
Don't let us down
Don't disappoint us by withholding or distorting information
You're a fool if you do
People who deceive us are foolish
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jimmy Cooney Jr.
At no point did I say “it was a pity they was Southern Punk” No where in my comment is that said, he’s from Hersham, South Of London within Surrey… has said in interviews that, I think my comment was pretty clear.
What my point was that most punks were art school kids who tried to come off like Cass Pennant, and metal heads and hard rockers tried or "Sgt. At Arms" for an Outlaw Motorcycle cycle club, that Jimmy and Lemmy WERE the. real deal when it came to coming off as a hooligan or biker. They both walked the walk, etc….
Not sure what you read, there Frank…..🙄
It was also said with a touch of sarcasm, because what they were and in Jimmy's case, still legendary in the punk& hard rock genre of rock,.North, South, East, or West!
I hope that was clear enough, need to remember not to comment anymore unless I know them, it's a football blog (which is a mistake in its own more times than not!)
Dan King
FIRST band i was into as a kid ...Still listen to them now .Saw them this weekend 45 years later .Just as good
Jimmy Cooney Jr.
One of the top English punk songs from the 1976-‘80 era. One of the best albums as well.
Where most heavy metal bands only acted like tough bikers, Lemmy was the real deal, and where most punks acted like the top boys of the toughest firms of the late ‘70’s, Jimmy Pursey was the real deal, south of town, hooligan.
Frank Jones
It's a pity they was a Southern punk ?
Jimmy Cooney Jr.
At no point did I say “it was a pity they was Southern Punk” No where in my comment is that said, he’s from Hersham, South Of London within Surrey… has said in interviews that, I think my comment was pretty clear.
What my point was that most punks were art school kids who tried to come off like Cass Pennant, and metal heads and hard rockers tried or "Sgt. At Arms" for an Outlaw Motorcycle cycle club, that Jimmy and Lemmy WERE the. real deal when it came to coming off as a hooligan or biker. They both walked the walk, etc….
Not sure what you read, there Frank…..🙄
It was also said with a touch of sarcasm, because what they were and in Jimmy's case, still legendary in the punk& hard rock genre of rock,.North, South, East, or West!
I hope that was clear enough, need to remember not to comment anymore unless I know them, it's a football blog (which is a mistake in its own more times than not!)
ian whitehead
Great sham album, studio side & a live side. I. remember buying the album from W.H. smith in December 1978, and still have it in my vinyl collection. That's Life is another good album too. 🎸🎤👍
Daniel pablo Busso
Exelente banda
Leo
FUCKING EPIC.
jcatjake
if the kids are united... Nothing Changes
teriakamoto
was 13 when i heard this shite.loved it then,i love it now at 47.
irons punk
greatest band ever when i was a nipper