The 101'ers were a pub rock band from the 1970s, notable as being the band … Read Full Bio ↴The 101'ers were a pub rock band from the 1970s, notable as being the band that gave Joe Strummer (later of The Clash) his initial start as a musician. Formed in London in May 1974, the 101'ers made their performing debut on 6 September at the Telegraph pub in Brixton under the name El Huaso and the 101 All Stars. The name would later be shortened to the 101 All Stars and finally just the 101'ers. The group established itself on the London pub rock circuit prior to the advent of punk.

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 -

Shake Your Hips
The 101'ers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, the game of life
In this game, it's not whether you win or lose
But how you played the game, come on
Everything involves The LOX
Ask the niggas with the money in the safe and the cats on cell blocks
Car parked in the lot, door is locked
And the only time the phone is blocked is when home is hot
I announce the bounce, smooth like an ounce

Blow more ways than one y'all niggas count

One Mississippi, you can't get with me
Two Mississippi, you never gon' hit me
Three Mississippi, can't no bitch trick me
Four Mississippi, won't no dog sick me
Five Mississippi, we in Mississippi

Twenty deep in the block, real niggas rock with me
Blazing, revving in the black nine eleven
Lox out of sight like Michael Knight and Kevin
Living dead, hoes giving head to the Feds
Catch him with the Calico, light him up in bed

Livin' the life, either you rise or fall
It's a two way street, be large or small
Livin' the life, either you die or ball
It's a two way street, be rich or poor
Livin' the life, either you rise or fall
It's a two way street, be large or small
Livin' the life, either you die or ball
It's a two way street, be rich or poor

My niggas order parts for cars
Like motherfuckin' pizza for years
While you get all yours from Sears
What nigga even my guns be German
Links, Cuban, rugs, Persian
Now we can take this another level papa
And simply bust your pinata, you hot sa
LOX take blocks, turn 'em into Fort Knox

Cake wasn't blowin' here, till we started going there
What I ain't hating you 'cause you's a little richer
But you old and I'm young, so that mean I think quicker
When bitch drunk, I'm bent up, I bounce with the land blow
? pump the missile, black berry molassi
Flossin' with the bad mama sita
My chi ca, be ten cent
Job with the government
Tap the Fed line so when they raid I'll be lovin' it

Livin' the life, either you rise or fall
It's a two way street, be large or small
Livin' the life, either you die or ball
It's a two way street, be rich or poor
Livin' the life, either you rise or fall
It's a two way street, be large or small
Livin' the life, either you die or ball
It's a two way street, be rich or poor

I swear under oath, no bullshit will any lock take
'Cause we stop drama like anti lock brakes
High stakes, politic, pies and cakes
Real niggas do dirt, tell lies then skate
What up, son? What you bullshittin' 'bout now, huh?
Where we from? Don't matter 'cause we gettin' it done
Land Rover, double sun roof, bulletproof
Tangaray and grapefruit, got me hurlin' on my boots
Man, please spit it out, twist the trees
5:40 I fly when I'm dissin' the D's
Deep Dish P., Sip Dom P. with ease

First two words I ever learn, cock and squeeze
Ain't about that, trying to do without that
Makin' niggas fuck up their budget
Time to get their paper route back
L O X three letter word, black mall
With every last member of the team on the job
Whether it be controllin' the street, holdin' the heat
Really don't matter to me, long as we eat

Livin' the life, either you rise or fall
It's a two way street, be large or small
Livin' the life, either you die or ball
It's a two way street, be rich or poor
Livin' the life, either you rise or fall
It's a two way street, be large or small
Livin' the life, either you die or ball

It's a two way street, be rich or poor
Livin' the life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of “Shake Your Hips” by The 101'ers convey the message that in the game of life, success is not defined by winning or losing, but how you play the game. The song seems to reflect on the struggles and challenges of living life in the hood, where the only way to rise above your circumstances is by working hard and “getting it done” no matter what.

The lyrics talk about the importance of loyalty and trust in the hood, where having money in the safe and cats on cell blocks is a way of life. The song describes a lifestyle of living on the edge, where the only thing that matters is making it out alive.

The chorus “Livin' the life, either you rise or fall, it's a two-way street, be large or small, livin' the life, either you die or ball, it's a two-way street, be rich or poor” underscores the idea that in the game of life, there are only winners and losers, and everything depends on how one plays the game.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, the game of life
The concept of life can be viewed as a game.

In this game, it's not whether you win or lose
Success isn't solely based on winning or losing in life.

But how you played the game, come on
How you progress through and perceive life is what ultimately matters.

Everything involves The LOX
The LOX is a significant part of everyday life.

Ask the niggas with the money in the safe and the cats on cell blocks
Those who have access to wealth and those who are incarcerated can attest to the relevance of The LOX in their lives.

Car parked in the lot, door is locked
The car is secured and protected from any potential danger.

And the only time the phone is blocked is when home is hot
The phone is only inaccessible when there is a serious situation at home.

I announce the bounce, smooth like an ounce
I make my presence known as I move gracefully, like an ounce of a smooth substance.

Blow more ways than one y'all niggas count
I have multiple skills and abilities that surpass the expectations of those around me.

One Mississippi, you can't get with me
It takes only one second for me to prove my superiority.

Two Mississippi, you never gon' hit me
Even if you had two seconds to attempt to reach my level, you never will.

Three Mississippi, can't no bitch trick me
In three seconds, no one can deceive or manipulate me.

Four Mississippi, won't no dog sick me
Even in four seconds, no one can harm or bring me down.

Five Mississippi, we in Mississippi
Within five seconds, we have arrived in a new location (Mississippi).

Twenty deep in the block, real niggas rock with me
I am surrounded by a group of true and loyal individuals in my community.

Blazing, revving in the black nine eleven
We are driving quickly and powerfully in a black Porsche 911.

Lox out of sight like Michael Knight and Kevin
Our presence is not visible, similar to how Michael Knight and Kevin were often unseen in their respective roles.

Living dead, hoes giving head to the Feds
People who are living without purpose or direction are easily swayed by authority figures and government agencies.

Catch him with the Calico, light him up in bed
If we catch someone with a Calico firearm, we will defeat them with ease.

Livin' the life, either you rise or fall
Life is a two-way street, and the path you choose can either lead to success or failure.

It's a two way street, be large or small
The path you choose can lead to becoming powerful or having minimal influence.

But you old and I'm young, so that mean I think quicker
I have the advantage of youth, which allows me to think and act more quickly than an older person.

L O X three letter word, black mall
The LOX is a three-letter word that is synonymous with black excellence and success.

With every last member of the team on the job
Every member of The LOX is dedicated and focused on achieving their goals.

Whether it be controllin' the street, holdin' the heat
Regardless of their specific roles, The LOX is actively in control and always armed.

Real niggas do dirt, tell lies then skate
True and genuine individuals will commit controversial or illegal acts, lie about them, and then move on without any repercussions.

Ain't about that, trying to do without that
We are attempting to avoid drama or issues altogether.

Makin' niggas fuck up their budget
We are causing people to mismanage their finances due to our influence.

L O X take blocks, turn 'em into Fort Knox
The LOX has the ability to turn a neighborhood into a secure and protected area, similar to Fort Knox.

First two words I ever learn, cock and squeeze
The first phrase I memorized was related to firearms, specifically how to load and use them.

Man, please spit it out, twist the trees
Please speak clearly and quickly, let's smoke marijuana together.

5:40 I fly when I'm dissin' the D's
I am able to move or run quickly when I am mocking or disrespecting law enforcement officials.

Deep Dish P., Sip Dom P. with ease
I am able to indulge in a deep-dish pizza and drink Dom Perignon without any difficulty or hesitation.

Livin' the life
The lifestyle I am living is reflective of my choices and actions.

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: JAMES MOORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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