They soon changed their name to The Adicts and became known for their distinctive Clockwork Orange 'Droog' image, which, along with their urgent, uptempo music and light-hearted lyrics, helped set them very much apart from the rest of the genre. Temporary 1980s name changes to ADX and FUN ADICTS, for a children's TV appearance, also occurred.
Their song "Viva La Revolution" was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Underground.
The band still has all its original members, uncommon for a band with such longevity.
The music of The Adicts proves that punk music is a very broad genre, often featuring extra instruments and sound clips such as carousel music (How Sad), violin played by Derick Cook (Joker in the Pack), gongs and keyboard percussion by Anthony Boyd (Chinese Takeaway), and even completely different songs like the switch to Gain To Lose's Tune #24 at the end of G.I.R.L..
The look of the majority of the bandmates is that of the Droogs from the Stanley Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange based on the book by Anthony Burgess. All white with black combat boots and black bowler hats. The band says that the look appealed to them because of the teenage angst associated with A Clockwork Orange. Singer "Monkey" wears full joker make-up and his clothes are wild, patterned suits, flared trousers, colorful dress shirts, and other such things. His favorites seem to be checkerboard patterns, or polkadots. And of course, there's the obligatory bowler hat and gloves. Along with the look come stage antics involving streamers, confetti, playing cards, joker hats, toy instruments, and glitter just to name a few things.
members:
Keith 'Monkey' Warren - Vocals.
Mel (Spider)Ellis - Bass
Pete Dee Davison - Guitar
Michael 'Kid Dee' Davison - Drums
John 'Scruff' Ellis (Mel’s brother) - Guitar
Dan Gratziani - Violin,Piano,Mandolin
England
The Adicts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't take any more
It's a real gas
How long does it last
I don't want to die for England
I don't want to die at all
I got my uniform
Now it's battle torn
What a way to grow old
I don't want to die for England
England will survive
I don't want to die for England
I don't want to die at all
I don't want to die for England
Didn't hear the bugle call
The Adicts's song "England" is a reflection of the band's own experiences and feelings towards war, particularly the Falklands War in the 1980s. The lyrics express the singer's disdain for the conflict and the toll it takes on soldiers. "I hate this war, can't take any more. It's a real gas, how long does it last?" The use of the phrase "real gas" is a nod to British slang for something being enjoyable or entertaining, which is a clear juxtaposition with the horrors of war.
The chorus provides the main message of the song, as the singer reiterates their unwillingness to die for their country. "I don't want to die for England. I don't want to die at all." The repetition of this line emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the deep-seated fear that many soldiers experience when facing potentially life-threatening situations. The singer reveals that he now has a battle-worn uniform and is cold and wet, highlighting the discomfort and danger of being on the front lines.
The closing line of the song, "didn't hear the bugle call," speaks to the sense of disillusionment and betrayal that many soldiers feel when they realize the real implications of war. It suggests that there is a lack of clear communication or understanding about the true costs of conflict. Overall, "England" is a poignant and thought-provoking reflection on the horrors of war and the human toll it takes.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate this war
The singer has an intense dislike for the ongoing war.
Can't take any more
The singer has reached their limit and can no longer tolerate the war.
It's a real gas
The singer uses a sarcastic remark to describe how terrible the war is.
How long does it last
The singer questions how much longer the war will continue for.
I don't want to die for England
The singer does not want to sacrifice their life for their country.
I don't want to die at all
The singer wants to stay alive and not die in the war.
I got my uniform
The singer has been issued a military uniform.
Now it's battle torn
The uniform has been damaged during combat.
I'm wet and I'm cold
The singer is exposed to harsh weather conditions which make them uncomfortable.
What a way to grow old
The singer expresses how they do not want to age while fighting in the war.
England will survive
Although the war is devastating, the singer believes their country will make it through.
Didn't hear the bugle call
The singer did not receive a formal signal to join the army and now regrets their decision.
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL DAVISON, PETER JONNATHAN DAVISON, MELVIN LEROY ELLIS, KEITH WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josh Strickler
I hate this war
Can't take any more
It's a real gas
How long does it last
I don't wanna die for England
I don't wanna die at all
I I I I OOOO
I I I I OOOO
I got my uniform
Now it's battle torn
I'm wet and I'm cold
What a way to grow old
I don't wanna die for England
England will survive
I I I I OOOO
I I I I OOOO
I I I I OOOO
I I I I OOOO
I don't wanna die for England
I don't wanna die at all
I don't wanna die for England
Didn't hear the bugle call
OfficeGossip
Reminds me of high school as a freshman, i was a big metalhead and i made friends with a buncha senior punk kids.
They got me into tons of fun punk and rock & roll music like the adicts, buzzcocks, gang of four, new york dolls, etc etc. A lot of uplifting happy music.
I’ll always treasure those memories.
Josh Strickler
I hate this war
Can't take any more
It's a real gas
How long does it last
I don't wanna die for England
I don't wanna die at all
I I I I OOOO
I I I I OOOO
I got my uniform
Now it's battle torn
I'm wet and I'm cold
What a way to grow old
I don't wanna die for England
England will survive
I I I I OOOO
I I I I OOOO
I I I I OOOO
I I I I OOOO
I don't wanna die for England
I don't wanna die at all
I don't wanna die for England
Didn't hear the bugle call
NaTaN
Melhor banda de punk rock
Paloma vivar
takes me back to my child hood growing with punk and bands like these good times
Coinrad Couponski
As it should
Skeletor the Gamebro
Where from?
Aimee Mora
Love this song !
livingstranger
Takes me back to my high school days. Good song.
VoiDofHopE
The Adicts are a timeless treasure.
Ethan Hodges
i love that dramatic piano end too bass god it gets me overtime this songs so fucking rad can't wait to see them in san diego at the north park in july