=>Beginning History
Ian Stuart Donaldson, formerly of The Rolling Stones cover band Tumbling Dice, formed Skrewdriver after seeing the Sex Pistols in Manchester. Skrewdriver at first had a punk appearance, but they changed their image into a skinhead look in 1977. They also temporarily had a rocker/biker look, around the time they released the EP Built Up Knocked Down. In 1978, Donaldson moved to Salford, where he recruited guitarist Glenn Jones and drummer Martin Smith. This lineup toured extensively, but many venues were reluctant to book the band because of their reputation as a violent skinhead band attracting audience fights.
Performing largely for a skinhead fan-base, the first versions of the band released one album and two singles on the Chiswick label. This version of the band split up in January 1979 after a concert in Warrington, but Donaldson resurrected the name Skrewdriver in 1982 using new musicians. Several past individuals associated with the group, many of them politically left-wing or centrist, have condemned the latter third position incarnation.
=>Band Musicians And More History
As mentioned, Skrewdriver inherited its first line-up from it’s predecessor, the band Tumbling Dice, which Donaldson had formed in 1975. They felt influenced by contemporary hard rock as well as seminal punk contemporaries such as the Ramones and The Clash. They were Ian Stuart Donaldson, Kev McKay, John Grinton and Phil Walmsley. When the band changed from punk to skinhead, Walmsley bowed out and was substituted with skinhead Ron Hartley. The 1977 release All Skrewed Up managed to give the group considerable underground success, and it's been regarded since as an early punk classic. However, by 1978, the band disbanded.
Both moving to Salford’s Cheetham Hill, McKay and Donaldson reformed the band in 1979 with local Manchester talents Glenn Jones and Martin Smith. Skrewdriver became a regular act at the Mayflower club in Belle Vue and toured local gig venues around Greater Manchester. The version of the band was to be short-lived and, after an ill-fated concert in Warrington in 1980, the band fell apart again.
This time, Donaldson left all the others behind and moved on his own down to London. By 1981, Skrewdriver had reformed for the 3rd time, still with Ian Stuart Donaldson of course. The new additions were Mark Neeson, Mark French and Geoff Williams. French and Williams had previously played with The Elite.
It was this line-up that released the 12” EP 'Back With A Bang' on Last Resort Records in 1982. External pressure on the band took its toll, and, by 1984, all three had left the band. Donaldson recruited Mark Sutherland, Adam Douglas, and Murray Holmes. Holmes, an Australian, had previously played with the band Quick And The Dead. Skrewdriver soon released their LP Invasion on the newly-signed West German label Rock-o-Rama Records, which would stay faithful to the band until the tragic end. The line-up was strengthened with Steve Roda coming in the following year.
Touring extensively once again, by 1987 the line-up is described on artwork as Ian Stuart (Donaldson), Mark Sutherland, Martin Cross, Ross McGarry, Merv Shields, and John Burnley who was the brother of No Remorse’s Paul Burnley. Steve Calladine, better known as Stigger, joined Skrewdriver in late 1987. Donaldson also launched a solo career as Ian Stuart with the release of solo material backed by a group known as 'Strikeforce', which essentially was the remaining band. Skrewdriver as a band continued, however, in parallel with Donaldson’s solo career.
In 1990, the sprawling line-up was added to with John Hickson. Over the 80s, the group released a variety of albums, many of them striking a chord with disillusioned British youths unhappy with both Thatcherism and the Labour alternative, much to the alarm of the mainstream press. Skrewdriver concerts were, although planned in advance, highly secretive, and Donaldson faced many attempts on his life. Releases at this time prominently included the albums Boots & Braces, Blood & Honour, and Hail The New Dawn.
On the 24th of September 1993, Ian Stuart Donaldson died from the injuries sustained in a car-crash the previous evening and with him the band Skrewdriver ceased. Although subject to a large variety of conspiracy theories, most fans have agreed that the death was a surprising, sudden accident. Since then, countless benefit and remembrance gigs has been played in his and the band’s honour, with virtually every rock against communism band worth their salt, producing a Skrewdriver cover.
=>Labels
During their 17-year career, Skrewdriver were signed by five labels:
1977 - Chiswick Records
1979 - TJM Manchester
1982 - Last Resort Sounds
1982 - White Noise Records
1984 - Rock-O-Rama Records
(This list does not include compilations and spin-off work)
=>Members List
(Initial Band)
Ian Stuart Donaldson - Vocals & Guitar
Phil Walmsley - Guitar
Ron Hartley - Guitar
Kev McKay - Bass
John "Grinny" Grinton - Drums
(Other Members)
Glenn Jones
Martin Cross
Dave Cording
Bradley Napier
Mark French
Geoff Williams
Mark Neeson
Joseph Smith
Adam Douglas
Merv Shields
Murray Holmes
Dave Wane
Paul Swain
Stiv "Iena" Roda
Stigger
John Burnley
Colin Smith
Mushy
Mike French
Mark Radcliffe
Andrew Skinner
Ford Freemantle
The Jewel In The Sea
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're looking out over the restless sea all you ever seem to do is stare
Over there beyond the white-flecked waves and the mist that spoils your view
Like a jewel in the sea is your country of old, the place that means everything to you
You may like the place that you're living in now but the place you really want to be
Is your country of birth, yeah the place you grew up, the jewel in the sea
Back to the jewel in the sea
The place that means everything to me
A land that is beautiful and free
Back to the jewel in the sea
You're wondering why you ever went away, you're missing everything you've known
Silly little things like the lake down in the park and wondering if the trees have grown
You miss the food and the friendly atmosphere, the morning papers and the tea
You're getting homesick 'cause you're thinking back, of the jewel in the sea
(Repeat Chorus)
Solo
(Repeat Chorus)
You've made up you're mind, go down the travel agency and book a ticket on the plane
You're happier now than you've been for several years, 'cause you're going back home again
You've been a traveler for quite a few years, but you're going where you want to be
Back to the place where you were born and bred, back to the jewel in the sea
(Repeat Chorus)
The song The Jewel in the Sea by Skrewdriver is a nostalgic tribute to someone's country of origin. The lyrics describe a person standing on a wind-swept seafront staring out at the restless sea. Despite living elsewhere, the person longs to be back in their homeland, described as a "jewel in the sea." They miss everything they've ever known, from the food to the lake in the park to the morning papers and tea. The nostalgia becomes overwhelming, and the person makes up their mind to go back home, booking a ticket on a plane. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "back to the jewel in the sea" several times, emphasizing the deep emotional connection the person has to their country.
The song's lyrics convey a message of homesick longing and a deep attachment to the home country. This theme is common in Skrewdriver's music, and it speaks to the experiences of many people who have moved to a new country or feel disconnected from their cultural roots. The lyrics, while simple, create a vivid and emotional image of a person standing on a seafront, feeling the cold north wind in their hair, and dreaming of home.
Line by Line Meaning
You're walking along a wind-swept seafront with the cold north wind in your hair
You are strolling near the sea with a chilling breeze that brushes your hair
You're looking out over the restless sea all you ever seem to do is stare
You gaze upon the unsettled sea, and all you appear to do is stare
Over there beyond the white-flecked waves and the mist that spoils your view
Beyond the waves with white flecks and the haze that obstructs what you view
Like a jewel in the sea is your country of old, the place that means everything to you
Your beloved country of the past, the valuable gem amidst the sea that you cherish dearly
You may like the place that you're living in now but the place you really want to be
Perhaps the place where you reside now is pleasing, but your true desire is elsewhere
Is your country of birth, yeah the place you grew up, the jewel in the sea
That desire is to be returned home, to the place where you were nurtured, the beloved gem amidst the sea
Back to the jewel in the sea
The place that means everything to me
A land that is beautiful and free
Back to the jewel in the sea
Returning to that gem amidst the sea, a land that has much meaning, a beautiful and free land
You're wondering why you ever went away, you're missing everything you've known
You ponder why you departed, and you long for everything you've known
Silly little things like the lake down in the park and wondering if the trees have grown
Trivial, minor details like the lake in the park, and pondering if the trees have grown
You miss the food and the friendly atmosphere, the morning papers and the tea
You yearn for the cuisine and the welcoming atmosphere, the morning papers, and the tea
You're getting homesick 'cause you're thinking back, of the jewel in the sea
You feel homesick because you recall the gem amidst the sea
You've made up you're mind, go down the travel agency and book a ticket on the plane
You've decided, visit the travel agency, reserve a plane ticket
You're happier now than you've been for several years, 'cause you're going back home again
You're delighted, happier than in many years, because you're returning home again
You've been a traveler for quite a few years, but you're going where you want to be
As a traveler for several years, finally arriving where you've yearned to return
Back to the place where you were born and bred, back to the jewel in the sea
Returning to the land that raised you, to the cherished gem amidst the sea
Back to the jewel in the sea
The place that means everything to me
A land that is beautiful and free
Back to the jewel in the sea
Returning to that gem amidst the sea, a land that has much meaning, a beautiful and free land
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
der-muede-Joe87
Seine Stimme passt hier wirklich sehr gut zur Melodie. Sehr stark! Den Song mochte ich schon immer.
Mark Thompson
amazing song, amazing man, RIP
Andrew Smyth
You're walking along a wind-swept seafront with the cold north wind in your hair
You're looking out over the restless sea all you ever seem to do is stare
Over there beyond the white-flecked waves and the mist that spoils your view
Like a jewel in the sea is your country of old, the place that means everything to you
You may like the place that you're living in now but the place you really want to be
Is your country of birth, yeah the place you grew up, the jewel in the sea
Back to the jewel in the sea
The place that means everything to me
A land that is beautiful and free
Back to the jewel in the sea
You're wondering why you ever went away, you're missing everything you've known
Silly little things like the lake down in the park and wondering if the trees have grown
You miss the food and the friendly atmosphere, the morning papers and the tea
You're getting homesick 'cause you're thinking back, of the jewel in the sea
Back to the jewel in the sea
The place that means everything to me
A land that is beautiful and free
Back to the jewel in the sea
Solo 🎸
Back to the jewel in the sea
The place that means everything to me
A land that is beautiful and free
Back to the jewel in the sea
You've made up you're mind, go down the travel agency and book a ticket on the plane
You're happier now than you've been for several years, 'cause you're going back home again
You've been a traveler for quite a few years, but you're going where you want to be
Back to the place where you were born and bred, back to the jewel in the sea
Back to the jewel in the sea
The place that means everything to me
A land that is beautiful and free
Back to the jewel in the sea
Unknown Unknown
Fukn awesome
KillforPeace69
🔥🔥🔥
2 Tone
NOICE
MEISTERPARTISAN
✌️
Marcus
Does anyone know who Ian is singing about? 2+8
Aspern Park
About Great Britain