=>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
Tomorrow Belongs to Me
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The stag in the forest runs free
But gathered together to greet the storm
Tomorrow belongs to me
Tomorrow belongs to me
The branch on the linden is leafy and green
The Rhine gives it's gold to the sea
Tomorrow belongs to me
Tomorrow belongs to me
The babe in his cradle is closing his eyes
The blossom embraces the bee
But soon says the whisper, arise, arise
Tomorrow belongs to me
Tomorrow belongs to me
Now Fatherland, Fatherland, show us the sign
Your children have waited to see
The morning will come when the world is mine
Tomorrow belongs to me
Tomorrow belongs to me
The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song Tomorrow Belongs to Me can be interpreted as a call to nationalism and a yearning for a return to a perceived golden age. The opening lines describe the beauty and freedom of nature, but there is a hint of foreboding with the phrase "to greet the storm". The repetition of the phrase "tomorrow belongs to me" adds a sense of momentum and inevitability to the lyrics, and the mention of "glory awaits unseen" suggests a future that is full of promise.
As the song progresses, there is a focus on the idea of the Fatherland and the desire for a sign that will bring the nationalist movement together. The line "Your children have waited to see" suggests that there are many who are ready and willing to fight for this cause. The final verse brings a sense of urgency, with the whispered call to "arise, arise" and the declaration that "the world is mine".
Line by Line Meaning
The sun on the meadow is summery warm
The weather is pleasant and perfect for spending time outdoors.
The stag in the forest runs free
The animals in nature are free and happy without any constraints.
But gathered together to greet the storm
But despite this peaceful atmosphere, the people are preparing for a coming conflict.
Tomorrow belongs to me
The people are confident and optimistic about their chances of victory in the future.
The branch on the linden is leafy and green
The trees are flourishing, and nature is at its best.
The Rhine gives it's gold to the sea
The river Rhine flows freely and contributes to the beauty of the surrounding area.
But somewhere a glory awaits unseen
But there is an unknown power that is waiting to be unleashed.
Tomorrow belongs to me
The people are confident and optimistic about their chances of victory in the future.
The babe in his cradle is closing his eyes
Even the youngest generation is at peace and able to rest.
The blossom embraces the bee
Nature is taking its course, and everything is working in harmony.
But soon, says the whisper, arise, arise
However, there is a sense of urgency, and people feel that they must act soon.
Tomorrow belongs to me
The people are confident and optimistic about their chances of victory in the future.
Now Fatherland, Fatherland, show us the sign
The people are looking for direction and guidance from their homeland.
Your children have waited to see
The people are eagerly waiting to see what the future holds for them and their country.
The morning will come when the world is mine
The people believe that they will take over the world someday and be in control of their destiny.
Tomorrow belongs to me
The people are confident and optimistic about their chances of victory in the future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@salazar_portugal-cc6ny
The sun on the meadow is summery warm
The stag in the forest runs free
But gathered together to greet the storm
Tomorrow belongs to me
Tomorrow belongs to me
The branch on the linden is leafy and green
The Rhine gives it's gold to the sea
But somewhere a glory awaits unseen
Tomorrow belongs to me
Tomorrow belongs to me
The babe in his cradle is closing his eyes
The blossom embraces the bee
But soon says the whisper, arise, arise
Tomorrow belongs to me
Tomorrow belongs to me
Now Fatherland, Fatherland, show us the sign
Your children have waited to see
The morning will come when the world is mine
Tomorrow belongs to me
Tomorrow belongs to me
@jakeblues5854
Imagine how massive skrewdriver would be today if Ian hadn't had passed,,,,,RIP Brother
@zanebrink4358
❤
@peterhennessy9899
Bringing back some great memories of seeing them live back in the 80s. RIP Ian.
@dustybin552
Hi mate god how lucky were you to see skrewdriver loved them and still do 👍🇬🇧
@peterhennessy9899
@@dustybin552 Yes i count myself very lucky. I also saw Brutal Attack and Sudden Impact. It was that time in the early 80s if you know what i mean. 👍👍👍
@ralphchunksoup4234
Stand Pride 1312
@ralphchunksoup4234
OiOi and cheers
@SKINHEAD1981
There 2 c18
@utregsoulnorh715
Late 80s ,we spend a few days in North London with Ian,Del,the twins....complete different world now....Ian was right......Rest In Eternal Peace
@JimmyHandtrixx
whats with the rasta jamaican flag? genuinely interested given your post