Early years
Prior to becoming Stiff Little Fingers, Jake Burns, vocals and guitar, Henry Cluney, guitar, Gordon Blair, bass, and Brian Faloon, drums, were playing in a rock music cover band, Highway Star, in Belfast. Upon the departure of Gordon Blair (who went on to play with another Belfast group, Rudi), Ali McMordie took over on bass. Cluney had by this time discovered punk, and introduced the rest of the band to it. They decided that Highway Star wasn't a punk enough name, and after a brief flirtation with the name "The Fast", decided to call themselves Stiff Little Fingers, after the Vibrators song of the same name.
It was while they were doing a gig at the Glenmachan Hotel that they met up with Gordon Ogilvie, who was a Marxist journalist with the Daily Express newspaper, invited along for the evening by Colin McClelland, another journalist, with whom Jake had been corresponding.
Ogilvie suggested they play material based upon their experience of the Troubles. McClelland arranged to get the band some recording time at a local radio station, and in the studio normally used to record jingles, they recorded "Suspect Device". The single was packaged in the form of a cassette, with a cover depicting a cassette bomb, apparently causing great hilarity in the group, when one record company phoned them and asked for another copy, as they'd thrown the first one in a bucket of water for fear that it was a real bomb.
A copy of the single was sent to John Peel. He played it repeatedly leading to a distribution deal through Rough Trade. The single was released on the band's own Rigid Digits label and sold over 30,000 copies. Peel would later do the same with the first single by another famous Northern Irish band, The Undertones. There were a number of well-publicised arguments between the two bands; the Undertones accused Stiff Little Fingers of sensationalising the Northern Ireland conflict, while they retorted that The Undertones ignored it.
The lyrics of many Stiff Little Fingers' songs concerning the troubles are extremely critical of the paramilitary organisations and governments involved, showing them to be exploititative of ordinary people (particularly the young) and all as bad as each other. Their second single, "Alternative Ulster", was originally intended to be given away free with the fanzine of the same name.
Inflammable Material
In the second half of 1978, they toured with the Tom Robinson Band, and in 1979, they released their first album, Inflammable Material. The band agreed a contract with Island Records, but it fell through, leaving the band to release the album on their own label. Despite the album's independent release, it reached number 14 in the UK Albums Chart and reached Silver status, selling over 50,000 copies. Inflammable Material was the first album distributed Rough Trade records, and the first independent album to chart in the UK. This inspired their move to London, which led to the departure of Brian Faloon and Colin McClelland (who along with Gordon Ogilvie had been joint manager of the band up until that point).
Jim Reilly became their drummer in time for the "Gotta Gettaway" single, and played in the Rock Against Racism tour.
Nobody's Heroes and Go for It
In mid-1979, Stiff Little Fingers signed their Rigid Digits label to Chrysalis Records, and in 1980 released their second album, Nobody's Heroes. 1981's Go for It followed. Soon after the Go for It tour, Jim Reilly left the band. His place was taken by Brian 'Dolphin' Taylor, who Jake remembered from Taylor's days with the Tom Robinson Band.
Breakup
Now Then...
In 1982 came a 4 song EP called £1.10 or Less and then their fourth studio album, Now Then... (although their fifth album, as they had released a live LP, Hanx, between Nobody's Heroes and Go for It). By this time they had diversified musically, and Now Then had an almost pop feel about it in places. This led some of their more hardcore fans to feel alienated, and in the face of low sales and concert attendances, they broke up in 1983, when Burns said: "Our last LP Now Then was to my mind the best album we have made. But it is also unfortunately the best I think we will ever make. So I have decided to call it a day." The band later revealed the original split had been somewhat acrimonious, with bandmembers apparently having fistfights rather than talking through their differences.
Reformation
They reformed in 1987; according to Burns, because they were "skint and wanted to make a bit of cash to get back to Ireland for Christmas". They released some live albums and did short tours towards the end of the 1980s, and by 1990 were thinking of reforming permanently.
Flags and Emblems
Ali McMordie decided he could not commit the time to tour full-time or record, and so left, being replaced by Bruce Foxton (previously bass guitarist in The Jam) in time to record 1991's Flags and Emblems. In Britain, the single from this album, "Beirut Moon", was withdrawn from sale on the first day of release, allegedly because it criticised the government for not acting to free hostage John McCarthy, who had been held in the Lebanon.
In 1993 Burns made what he described as one of the hardest decisions of his life and asked Henry Cluney to leave the band, and the trio of Jake Burns, Bruce Foxton and Dolphin Taylor continued for the next four years, joined on live shows by either Dave Sharp or Ian McCallum.
Get a Life
In 1994 they released Get a Life in the UK, releasing it in the U.S. in 1996. By the end of 1996 Taylor left due to family commitments. Burns called in Steve Grantley who had played drums for Jake Burns and the Big Wheel in the late 1980s.
Tinderbox - Guitar and Drum
The trio of Burns, Foxton and Grantley recorded 1997's Tinderbox album, with help from Ian McCallum who joined as a full time member for 1999's and best of all...Hope Street . This same line-up recorded 2003's Guitar and Drum.
Lineup change
On 18 January 2006, the following announcement appeared on the SLF Website. Bruce Foxton has announced that he is to leave Stiff Little Fingers with immediate effect. After 15 years of writing, recording and touring with SLF Bruce says it is time to move on and concentrate on other projects. "The situation is amicable" says Foxton. "I have enjoyed my time with Jake, Ian and Steve and will miss them. Naturally I wish them all continued success and hope to catch up with the boys during their spring tour."
Obviously, we as well wish Bruce every success in everything he goes on to do in the future. He has been a fantastic asset to the band and we'll miss him as well.
Jake, Steve, Ian.
On 23 January 2006, it was announced that original bass guitarist Ali McMordie was to rejoin the band for the duration of their upcoming March tour. The tour was a success, with many fans writing into SLF's message board saying how much they enjoyed it, and how fired up the band seemed to be. After much discussion regarding the status of McMordie within the band after the tour, on 21 April 2006, Burns posted the following on the message board.
"For the time being Mr. McMordie is happy to continue as long as his busy schedule allows. It may be that occasionally we have to bring on a "substitute", if he is up to his eyes and we need to do something, but hopefully we can avoid that.
Cheers,
Jake."
New album
On 9 March 2007, Jake Burns announced that Stiff Little Fingers would be recording a new album which would hopefully be completed by the end of 2007. They have previewed a track from the new album, "Liars Club", at live concerts. The track is named after a bar Jake drove past on his way home whilst listening to a press report about Tony Blair, George W. Bush and the Iraq War. As of February 2009, the new album is still unreleased. This is mainly due to the fact that Burns had more or less completed writing, when he decided on a change of direction, and scrapped most of the songs.
Tin Soldiers
Stiff Little Fingers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Swapped boy scout hat for army cap
He thought he'd be prepared
At the age of seventeen, he was forced to choose
At the age of twenty-one, he's in Catch-22, all right!
He joined up for just three years, it seemed a small amount
But they didn't tell him that
At the age of seventeen how was he to know
That at the age of twenty-one he'd still have one to go?
Tin soldier
He signed away his name
Tin soldier
No chance for cash or fame
Tin soldier
Now he knows the truth
Tin soldier
He signed away his youth
He joined up 'cause Dad knew best to do right by his son
And now he hates and counts the dates
That mark time on square one
At the age of seventeen he did as he was told
Now at the age of twenty-one tin still won't turn to gold
Tin soldier
He signed away his name
Tin soldier
No chance for cash or fame
Tin soldier
Now he knows the truth
Tin soldier
He signed away his youth
If at the age of seventeen you fall in line too soon
Then at the age of twenty-one you'll still march to their tune
Hup, two, three, four
Hup, two, three, four
Hup, two, three, four
Hup, two, three, four
Tin soldiers, you signed away your name
Tin soldiers, no chance for cash or fame
Tin soldiers, now you know the truth
Tin soldiers, you sign away your youth
Tin soldiers, you go and join the queue
Tin soldiers, do what they want you to
Tin soldiers, they take away your name
Tin soldiers, they treat you all the same
Sign away your life
Sign away your life
The lyrics to Stiff Little Fingers' "Tin Soldiers" tell the story of a young man who joins the military as a way to prove his bravery and gain employment opportunities. At just seventeen years old, he sees the army as a way to prepare himself for adulthood and the world of work. However, as time goes on, he discovers that he has been misled about the terms of his service. The first two years don't count towards his three-year commitment, meaning that he is still stuck in the military at the age of twenty-one. The chorus of "tin soldier" refers to the way in which he has signed away his youth and identity in exchange for a role in the military machine.
The song highlights the dangers of blindly following authority figures and the risks of not questioning the terms of service before agreeing to take on a particular role. Through a powerful blend of lyrics and music, the song speaks to the experiences of many young people who have felt trapped or misled by military service.
Line by Line Meaning
He joined up to get a job and show he wasn't scared
He enlisted to prove himself and make a living.
Swapped boy scout hat for army cap
He traded his innocent youth for a uniform, and the accompanying responsibilities.
He thought he'd be prepared
He expected to be trained and ready for the challenges.
At the age of seventeen, he was forced to choose
He wasn't old enough to make a reasoned decision, but he had to pick a side regardless.
At the age of twenty-one, he's in Catch-22, all right!
He's caught in a dilemma of having to serve in a dangerous conflict, despite questioning its true value.
He joined up for just three years, it seemed a small amount
He had no prior experience of the military's true nature and was convinced of its temporary nature.
But they didn't tell him that
He was deceived of the real terms of his service.
The first two didn't count
The initial years didn't offer him any tangible benefits.
At the age of seventeen, how was he to know
He lacked critical information to predict the long-term impact of his decision.
That at the age of twenty-one he'd still have one to go?
He would have to spend more time in service than the agreement stipulated.
Tin soldier
He's just a numbered cog in the military machine.
He signed away his name
He has lost his individual identity and autonomy.
No chance for cash or fame
He will receive no financial or career benefits from his service.
Now he knows the truth
He has seen the reality of the military's institutional flaws and misdeeds.
He signed away his youth
He gave up the freedom and opportunities of his younger years.
He joined up 'cause Dad knew best to do right by his son
He was persuaded to serve by a patriarchal figure he trusted.
And now he hates and counts the dates
He feels disillusioned and stuck, resenting his decisions and the military's exploitation of him.
That mark time on square one
He's stagnated in his personal growth, unable to move forward because of his service.
If at the age of seventeen you fall in line too soon
If you're too compliant and obedient at a young age, you'll be vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation.
Then at the age of twenty-one you'll still march to their tune
You'll still be beholden to the military's authority and goals, despite your growing cynicism.
Hup, two, three, four
The regimentation and repetition of military training.
Tin soldiers, you signed away your name
He and his fellow soldiers have lost their individuality, reduced to mere statistics.
Tin soldiers, no chance for cash or fame
Their service will not materially benefit them in terms of money or exposure.
Tin soldiers, now you know the truth
They have realized the darker aspects of military culture and conflict.
Tin soldiers, you signed away your youth
Their youth and potential were sacrificed for an uncertain cause.
Tin soldiers, you go and join the queue
They were coerced into joining the military, like any other bureaucratic system or job.
Tin soldiers, do what they want you to
Their individual desires or ethics are ignored, and their actions are dictated by higher-ups.
Tin soldiers, they take away your name
They erase the individuality of their soldiers, treating them as interchangeable.
Tin soldiers, they treat you all the same
They don't care about individual needs or emotions, but instead see the soldiers as instruments to achieve their goals.
Sign away your life
The military's contractual agreement takes control of the soldiers' existence and destiny.
Sign away your life
The song repeats this line to emphasize the ultimate cost of military service: one's life and agency.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GORDON ARCHER OGILVIE, JAKE BURNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind