Initially the band members had known each other from football, or from following bands such as Sham 69 and Menace. Most of the original four band members were or had been skinheads, thus the double meaning of the band's name.[3] However, Steve Pear had a rockabilly style, and Hoxton Tom McCourt — who was a suedehead — was one of the leading participants of the mod revival.[4][5] Prior to the release of the band's debut single, "One Law for Them", The 4-Skins contributed songs to the first three Oi! compilation albums, alongside bands such as Cockney Rejects, Cock Sparrer, The Business and Angelic Upstarts.[6] The 4-Skins went through many personnel changes during their five-year existence, with only bassist/songwriter 'Hoxton' Tom McCourt being present in every line-up of the band.[3] Other former members include Roi Pearce, who was also the frontman of The Last Resort, and Paul Swain, a guitarist who later joined the white power rock band Skrewdriver.[7]
In 2007, the band reformed with two original members — lead singer Gary Hodges and bassist Steve 'H' Harmer, plus guitarist Mick Geggus and drummer Andy Russell of Cockney Rejects. This line-up recorded two songs, "Chaos 2007" and "Glory Days" for the compilation album Kings of Streetpunk,[8] released by the independent record label G&R London.
In 2008, Hodges formed a new version of the band under the name Gary Hodges' 4-Skins. This line-up played three shows – one in Berlin at the Punk and Disorderly festival, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at the East Coast Oi Fest[9][10] and as the headlining act on the final day of the Blackpool Rebellion punk festival in August 2008.[11] Two newly recorded tracks were also released for free on The 4-Skins' official web page. Both were covers of Slade songs – "Cum on Feel the Noize" and "Thanks for the Memories". Following this, the band decided to continue recording and touring. On 4 April 2010, they released a studio album, The Return, on German label, Randale Records
1984
The 4-Skins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
handicapped and eldery have all gotta die
no one fights the system, fight with each other
the combine is laughing, scared of big brother
What are we gonna get
What are we gonna get
What are we gonna get
Rats leave the sinking ship, theyve got their money made
third world countries, sending us aid
people queue up just to get their ration
not the birth, but the death of a nation
What are we gonna get
What are we gonna get
What are we gonna get
in 1984
Will there be some heroes,into 85
when the bomb is dropped,and how do you stay alive
Orwell said it all, he looked the future in the face
Giant test tube babies,build a brand new race
What are we gonna get
What are we gonna get
What are we gonna get
in 1984
The lyrics to The 4-Skins's song 1984 paint a bleak picture of Britain's future, focusing on the discontent, despair, and division in society. The opening lines highlight the political and economic struggles of the country, with the suggestion that the government has failed to provide for the most vulnerable members of society - the handicapped and elderly. The notion of a society in decline is strengthened by the portrayal of people fighting amongst themselves, allowing those in power to exploit the situation. The phrase "the combine is laughing" is a powerful metaphor that suggests the powers-that-be are thriving on the division and weakness of the people.
The chorus of the song repeatedly asks "What are we gonna get in 1984?" This is a reference to George Orwell's novel 1984, which portrays a dystopian society where the government has complete control over its citizens. It seems as though the band is suggesting that the future of Britain could be just as bleak as the world Orwell created. The rest of the lyrics paint a picture of a society where everything is falling apart - people are leaving, aid is coming in from other countries, and the ordinary citizens are reduced to queuing up for rationed supplies. The line "not the birth, but the death of a nation" suggests that the country is dying, with little hope of recovery.
The final verse brings up the question of survival into the next year. The idea of a nuclear bomb is raised and the band poses the question of how to survive such an event. The line "Orwell said it all, he looked the future in the face" is a clear reference to George Orwell's iconic novel, suggesting that the author had predicted the dire state of Britain's future. The final sentence discusses the concept of test-tube babies, which suggests that science and technology may be the only way forward, but at what cost?
Line by Line Meaning
Britains in trouble, countrys bled dry
The United Kingdom is facing difficulty and economic ruin.
handicapped and eldery have all gotta die
The disabled and elderly are considered expendable.
no one fights the system, fight with each other
People fail to recognize the greater enemy and instead fight amongst themselves.
the combine is laughing, scared of big brother
The powerful elites are complicit in their oppression, but fear the tyranny of an even greater authority.
What are we gonna get
What will the future hold?
Rats leave the sinking ship, theyve got their money made
Those with power and wealth abandon the sinking nation.
third world countries, sending us aid
Foreign aid is necessary due to the nation's economic collapse.
people queue up just to get their ration
Basic necessities are scarce and controlling access to them is a means of control.
not the birth, but the death of a nation
The decline and collapse of the nation is imminent.
Will there be some heroes,into 85
Is there any hope for the future?
when the bomb is dropped,and how do you stay alive
Catastrophic events threaten the population.
Orwell said it all, he looked the future in the face
George Orwell foresaw the events to come.
Giant test tube babies,build a brand new race
People with power will create new life to assert their dominance.
What are we gonna get
What will the future hold?
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@danirox1979
❤
@antoniobarbosadeoliveiramo128
Esse som é apocalíptico
@Nomammosway
The heroes are us, Skin..
@caoz8260
My Live Side 82
oi end thenks
@sunnyvaledrunk6688
what are we gonna get in 1984....
@user-kk3qb2kz7o
Oi!
@kbolok4535
No one fuck the system...
@jamesmurray6333
fight
@saintgarluth
“Winston Smith: Does Big Brother exist?
O'Brien: Of course he exists.
Winston Smith: Does he exist like you or me?
O'Brien: You do not exist.”
― George Orwell, 1984
@lisabannard379
are there any skin heads left lol