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
Justice
The 4-Skins Lyrics
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Poetic Justice, Lyrical Crime
Poetic Justice, Lyrical Crime
Poetic Justice, Lyrical
I wrote a letter to rap, I said I love you I love you
But when it comes to my life, how do I know I can trust you?
I've, seen a backstabber stab both sides
Pouring out my blood on the walls of this note I- know I
Instead I sent a text to all my adolescent tendencies
Tryna hide my pain in a post for the celebrities
They celebrate me but I can't tell if they'll remember me
I- I'm losing my focus, but not hopeless
Lost hope but never had a clue about it if you've noticed
My words so potent that rodents steal my potential
Cause my bars are hella cheesy when trapped in the instrumental
I put my feet upon the neck of devils
They see defeat when I believe, I'm skipping obstacles like small pebbles
I revel in beauty of a comeback story
And glory been upon my mind like a snapback
A black cap, when I spit its all facts, and fact is
They say the pen is mightier than the sword
I came to cut a couple necks right off the next in up-and-coming awards
I stroke deeper than a virgin who be messing with whores
Poetic Justice go and put it in a song
If I could rectify my past would that be rewriting my wrongs?
I know the righteous move in silence like ellipses dots
I slip the knot so much I need this noose unlocked
I've got these dreams and these thoughts, all in my mind
Poetic Justice, Lyrical Crime
Poetic Justice, Lyrical Crime
I've got these dreams and these thoughts, all in my mind
Poetic Justice, Lyrical Crime
Poetic Justice, Lyrical Crime
Poetic Justice, Lyrical
I wrote a letter to rap, I said I hate you I hate you
And when it comes to my death, how do I know I can trust you?
I've, seen a visionary close both eyes
Pouring out my sweat on the walls of this note I- know I
I probably should've found a hearse
But I disperse my words upon this very verse
Moving like a cycle on repeat until it feels reversed
Until it, until it, until feels rehearsed
I feel most alive when I'm flirting with death
She sends me nudes late at night when I be feeling depressed
The naked truth I can't escape
Skinny dipping with my fears in the waters of a lake
Earth wind and fire but its oceans that I quake
I cannot believe that it was Eve who took the snake
Instead of Adams anaconda now its souls we had to break
Instead of backsides, mad pride capsized
Calling for a new bride, Holy Spirit baptize
I write my letters like a smooth criminal
Justice is my sentence when it proves minimal but super heavy
My paragraph grabbing at the mic is super deadly
And every cadence has the sharp tools to behead thee
You would swear that I'm an assassin with the passion
Black lives matter, stand united but we clashing
Every time we see another person winning we be slashing
Blood sweat and tears tearing open our caskets
The black pack is my own backpack of messy lyrics
You may not understand it yet, but even when you listen
Its like you're taking up a quenched fist
And making it just shapeshift into a middle finger to the system
You see, its important for me to understand that
Then I must tell you the truth as I understand it
Because you may be the last person I speak to
Life is life and death is death, and so I must be telling the truth
The 4-Skins's song "Justice" is a powerful expression of the power of music to address personal pain and social issues. The lyrics express the artist's frustration with the music industry and his own struggles to reconcile his personal life with his passion for music. The opening lines, "I've got these dreams and these thoughts, all in my mind / Poetic Justice, Lyrical Crime" set the tone for the song, which blends a deep sense of poetic sensibility with a harsh critique of the music industry.
The artist describes how he wrote a letter to rap, expressing his love for the genre, but also questioning how he can trust it with his life. He has witnessed "backstabbers" who "stab both sides" and feels betrayed. He struggles with his own identity and the need to find a way to express his pain through music. The artist then describes how he revels in the "beauty of a comeback story." He views adversity as an opportunity to rise above it and make a statement.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got these dreams and these thoughts, all in my mind
The artist has a lot of ideas constantly swirling in their head.
Poetic Justice, Lyrical Crime
The artist is using their rhyming and lyrical abilities as a form of justice.
I wrote a letter to rap, I said I love you I love you
The artist has a deep passion and admiration for rap music.
But when it comes to my life, how do I know I can trust you?
The artist is questioning whether the rap industry has their best interests at heart and whether they can trust it.
I've seen a backstabber stab both sides
The artist has witnessed a person betraying everyone involved in a situation.
Pouring out my blood on the walls of this note I- know I
The artist is pouring out their feelings onto paper, creating a raw and emotional piece of work.
I probably should've called you first when I was making memories
The artist regrets not reaching out to someone when they were making important memories.
Instead I sent a text to all my adolescent tendencies
The artist distracted themselves by resorting to the immature behaviors of their youth instead of reaching out to someone important.
Tryna hide my pain in a post for the celebrities
The artist is attempting to cover up their pain by appealing to celebrities and vying for their attention.
They celebrate me but I can't tell if they'll remember me
The artist is receiving a lot of attention, but questions if it is genuine and if they will be forgotten.
Lost hope but never had a clue about it if you've noticed
The artist feels hopeless, but is unaware that others may have noticed this change in disposition.
My words so potent that rodents steal my potential
The artist's work is valuable and sought-after, to the point where even insignificant beings try to capitalize on it.
I put my feet upon the neck of devils
The artist is fighting against evil and emerging victorious.
They see defeat when I believe, I'm skipping obstacles like small pebbles
The artist believes in their own abilities and is able to overcome obstacles with ease.
And glory been upon my mind like a snapback
The artist is constantly thinking about achieving greatness and success.
A black cap, when I spit its all facts, and fact is
The artist's words are truthful and accurate when they are expressing themselves.
They say the pen is mightier than the sword
The artist believes in the power of words and writing.
I came to cut a couple necks right off the next in up-and-coming awards
The artist is determined to succeed and is willing to cut down their competition.
I feel most alive when I'm flirting with death
The artist feels alive and exhilarated when they are pushing themselves to the brink of their limits.
She sends me nudes late at night when I be feeling depressed
The artist finds comfort in unhealthy behaviors when they are feeling down.
Every time we see another person winning we be slashing
The artist is jealous and envious of other people's success, and may attack them verbally or emotionally.
You see, its important for me to understand that
The artist believes in the importance of self-awareness.
Then I must tell you the truth as I understand it
The artist believes in sincerity and honesty with their audience.
Because you may be the last person I speak to
The artist recognizes the power of their words and wants to make a lasting impression on their listeners.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Omar Kassim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind