Chaos
The 4‐Skins Lyrics
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Seeing all the skinheads standing in a line
Foaming at the mouth, Waiting for a fight
High boots, cropped hair, what a fucking sight
Come back of the skinhead
Come back of the boot
People that we don't beat up
We are the new breed, we will have our say
We are the new breed, we ain't gonna die
Trouble east London
Trouble in the street
On the street corners
Where the gang still meets
Talking about the weekend
What they're gonna do?
If you ain't careful
They are gonna do you!
Come back of the skinhead
Come back of the boot
People that we don't beat up
We're gonna fucking shoot
We are the new breed, we will have our say
We are the new breed, we ain't gonna die
Chaos in the city
Civil war now
Skinheads taking over
Like skinheads know how
Skinhead with his boots on
Nobody's fool
Skinheads taking over
Chaos is the rule!
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss!
Do you remember in 1969?
Seeing all the skinheads standing in a line
Foaming at the mouth, Waiting for a fight
High boots, cropped hair, what a fucking sight
Come back of the skinhead
Come back of the boot
People that we don't beat up
We're gonna fucking shoot
We are the new breed, we will have our say
We are the new breed, we ain't gonna die
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss!
The 4-Skins' song "Chaos" is a classic example of Oi! punk, known for its rough and aggressive sound and lyrics that often touch upon themes of working-class life and its struggles. This particular song takes a deep dive into the skinhead subculture of the late 1960s, a time when skinheads were looked upon with suspicion and hostility due to their association with racism, violence, and extremism. However, the band's perspective on skinheads is somewhat different. They portray them as a misunderstood group of people who are eager to fight against the establishment and any form of oppression that they perceive as a threat to their way of life. The lyrics describe a world where skinheads are taking over the cities and causing chaos, and they do not care about the consequences that might follow.
The song begins with a vivid description of skinheads in 1969. They are seen as a menacing and intimidating sight, with their high boots, cropped hair, and a foaming mouth, waiting for a fight. The song then goes on to praise the comeback of the skinhead as exemplified in the new breed of skinheads who are taking over the streets. The lyrics are not only about aggression, but they also contain a sense of defiance, that these skinheads have been underestimated and they will not back down until they have their say. The chorus is a call to arms, where the band declares that they will not hesitate to shoot people who stand in their way.
The song's theme is consistent with the Oi! punk's glorification of countercultural lifestyles, including skinhead culture. It depicts them as a homogeneous group standing up against external oppression, but at the same time, this has been a point of critique for this subculture as well. Critics have pointed out that the ethos of Oi! punk can also generate a violent and exclusionary environment, supporting the exact bigotry and racism that mainstream society associates with the skinhead scene.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember in 1969?
Asking if the listener recalls a specific time in history.
Seeing all the skinheads standing in a line
A memory of observing a group of skinheads, possibly in a confrontational stance.
Foaming at the mouth, waiting for a fight
The skinheads were highly agitated, eager for a physical altercation.
High boots, cropped hair, what a fucking sight
A description of the appearance of the aforementioned skinheads, likely intended to convey a sense of intimidation.
Come back of the skinhead
A call for the resurgence of skinhead culture/ideology.
Come back of the boot
The return of aggressive, violent behavior.
People that we don't beat up, we're gonna fucking shoot
A proposed solution to individuals not adhering to the skinhead ideology - murder by gunfire.
We are the new breed, we will have our say
Self-identification as a new, more extreme iteration of the skinhead movement, with a desire for greater influence.
We are the new breed, we ain't gonna die
Defiance towards individuals/groups who might seek to neutralize or censor the skinhead movement.
Trouble east London
A specific location where the skinhead movement is cause for disruption/conflict.
Trouble in the street
A generalization of the skinhead movement's effect on public safety.
On the street corners where the gang still meets
A reference to the fact that skinheads are still congregating and forming groups on public streets.
Talking about the weekend, what they're gonna do?
Implying that skinheads are planning specific acts of violence or rebellion leading up to the upcoming weekend.
If you ain't careful they are gonna do you!
A warning to individuals who might oppose or criticize the skinhead movement, implying that violence or retaliation may occur.
Chaos in the city
A description of the general climate caused by the skinhead movement.
Civil war now
Suggesting that the skinhead movement is on the cusp of engaging in open conflict with other groups or even the state itself.
Skinheads taking over, like skinheads know how
A self-affirming statement that skinheads are destined to gain power/authority and that this is a natural occurrence.
Skinhead with his boots on, nobody's fool
Boots function as a symbol of the skinhead lifestyle, with toughness and independence their defining characteristic.
Skinheads taking over, chaos is the rule!
An embrace of the idea that a disordered, violent society is an ideal one for skinheads to thrive in.
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss
A mantra of sorts, suggesting that the skinhead movement operates on a force of will alone and ignores any opposing forces.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VOLKER GRUENER, FOUR SKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind