The group was named for the squat where they lived together: 101 Walterton Road, Maida Vale, although it was for a time rumoured that they were named for "Room 101", the infamous torture room in George Orwell's novel 1984. The novel was later to become something of a manifesto for the political element of the punk rock movement.
The 101'ers were supported by the Sex Pistols at the Nashville Room on 3 April 1976, and this is when Strummer claimed he saw the light and got involved in the punk scene.
Joe Strummer commented on this event in the Don Letts documentary Westway to the World on the end of the 101'ers by saying "5 seconds into their (the Pistols') first song, I knew we were like yesterday's paper, we were over."
By the time their debut single was released in 1976, Joe Strummer was in The Clash and the band were no more. Clive Timperley later joined The Passions, Dan Kelleher went to The Derelicts and Richard Dudanski went on to work with The Raincoats and Public Image Limited. Tymon Dogg worked with Strummer briefly in The Clash (playing on one track on Sandinista!) and later, in The Mescaleros.
Their recorded output was initially limited to one single. However, by 1981, interest in The Clash was at its height and a second single and a compilation album Elgin Avenue Breakdown was released. Several of the tracks on the latter album were live recordings, and there is no evidence that the band ever conceived of these recordings as a full length album.
Before his death in 2002, Joe Strummer had been planning to re-release Elgin Avenue Breakdown, complete with previously unreleased tracks that would encompass everything the band ever recorded. The project was completed with the help of Strummer's widow Lucinda Tait and former drummer Richard Dudanski, and released in May, 2005 via Astralwerks in the US and EMI in Europe.
Band Line-Up
* John "Woody" Mellor (Joe Strummer) - Guitar, Vocals
* Clive "Evil C" Timperley - Lead Guitar
* Marwood Chesterton aka " Mole" - Bass (replaced Jan 76 by Dan Kelleher)
* Dan Kelleher - Bass, Additional Guitar Oct 75-Jan 76,
* Richard "Snakehips" Dudanski - Drums
* Simon Cassell (Big John) - Sax
* Alvaro Peña-Rojas - Sax
* Antonio Narvaez - Drums
* Julian Yewdall - Vocals, Harmonica
* Patrick Nother - Bass (1st gig)
* Martin Stone - Lead Guitar (final gig)
* Tymon Dogg -
Keys To Your Heart
The 101'ers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love's gonna bring down trees
Well it's on this that I'm counting
'Cause for your heart
I found the keys keys
Yeah the keys to your heart heart
Yes I got them on a chain chain
We'll never be the same same
I used to be a teenage drug-taker
I used to hate the taste of cheese
I was gonna be an undertaker
'Til for your heart
I found the keys keys
Yeah the keys to your heart heart
Yes I got them on a chain chain
When the doors come apart part
We'll never be the same same
I never used to look in the mirror
In case of what I might see
But now I think that I look like a killer
'Cause for your heart
I found the keys keys
Now you know I can crack the lock
It's no use shaking at the knees
I don't even have to knock
'Cause for your heart
I found the keys keys
Yeah the keys to your heart heart
Yes I got them on a chain chain
When the doors come apart part
We'll never be the same same
The 101'ers' song "Keys To Your Heart" is a love song which uses powerful imagery to describe the lengths the singer is willing to go to win over the heart of their beloved. The opening lines "They say love can move a mountain, love's gonna bring down trees. Well, it's on this that I'm counting 'cause for your heart, I found the keys" are a great depiction of the lengths the singer is willing to go to make sure they get the key to their lover's heart. The song goes on to tell us about the history of the singer, and how they used to be a teenage drug-taker and had no love for cheese, which is until they found their heart's desire.
The singer goes on to express how they never used to look in the mirror, but now, they think they look like a killer because of their burning desire to obtain the keys to their lover's heart. The repetition of the phrase "keys to your heart" makes it clear that this song is all about securing the love of a person, and it perfectly encapsulates the determination and passion that comes with the pursuit of love. The final verse, "Now you know I can crack the lock, it's no use shaking at the knees. I don't even have to knock 'cause for your heart, I found the keys," indicates that the singer has finally achieved their goal of obtaining the "keys to their heart," and they are now free to explore a love that will change everything.
Line by Line Meaning
They say love can move a mountain
Love is a force that can make seemingly impossible things happen
Love's gonna bring down trees
Love is a powerful force that can conquer anything, even the strongest of obstacles
Well it's on this that I'm counting
I am relying on the power of love to help me succeed
'Cause for your heart I found the keys keys
I have discovered the secret to winning your heart
Yeah the keys to your heart heart
I have learned what it takes to win your love
Yes I got them on a chain chain
I possess the knowledge and skills needed to win your heart
When the doors come apart part
When the barriers between us are removed
We'll never be the same same
Our relationship will be forever changed for the better
I used to be a teenage drug-taker
I have overcome my past mistakes and poor life choices
I used to hate the taste of cheese
I used to have strong dislikes and preferences, but now I am more open-minded and willing to try new things
I was gonna be an undertaker
I had a bleak and depressing outlook on life, but meeting you has changed that
'Til for your heart I found the keys keys
I have discovered what truly matters in life and what makes it worth living
I never used to look in the mirror
I used to be insecure and avoid facing my flaws and weaknesses
In case of what I might see
I was afraid of confronting the truth about myself
But now I think that I look like a killer
I have a newfound confidence and sense of self-worth
Now you know I can crack the lock
I have the ability to win your heart and make our relationship thrive
It's no use shaking at the knees
There is no need to be afraid or nervous
I don't even have to knock
I already have access to your heart
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joe Strummer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
post 613
They say love can move a mountain
Love's gonna bring down trees
Well it's on this that I'm counting
'Cause for your heart
I found the keys keys
Yeah the keys to your heart heart
Yes I got them on a chain chain
When the doors come apart part
We'll never be the same same
I used to be a teenage drug-taker
I used to hate the taste of cheese
I was gonna be an undertaker
'Til for your heart
I found the keys keys
Yeah the keys to your heart heart
Yes I got them on a chain chain
When the doors come apart part
We'll never be the same same
I never used to look in the mirror
In case of what I might see
But now I think that I look like a killer
'Cause for your heart
I found the keys keys
Now you know I can crack the lock
It's no use shaking at the knees
I don't even have to knock
Cos for your heart
I found the keys keys
Yeah the keys to your heart heart
Yes I got them on a chain chain
When the doors come apart part
We'll never be the same same
Long Shanks
I don't know why this track couldn't be a hit, it's awesome (:
Tom Beasley
Yes. I agree, Why not?👍
Wybraniec Posejdona Kiblowego
@Tom Beasley the destiny wanted Joe to pursue with The Clash
Scott Dawson
Shame we don't have bands like this anymore
Fierce Wolves
The man's first self-penned composition and he was rightly proud of it....always felt this would have been a great as a Clash version on The Cost Of Living EP....interesting how he was fully formed a good few years before the Clash...to be fair it should also be noted that the rest of the 'ers were great musicians also - check out their 'Elgin Avenue Breakdown' for some other great songs....
Pedro Ortiz
haha good shit
michelleheadlam
One of the best songs ever written.
Tom Beasley
Great sound and great tune.
dholt96
I just love this song. Hints of what's to come.
DrMarcusKane
Listening to this now, still a classic. Not dated at all.