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
Joke in the Pack
The Adicts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my bowler looks fine
But don't confide in my smile
Because jokers are wild
Oh Yeah I am the Joker In The Pack
Oh Yeah I am the Joker In The Pack
Oh Yeah I am the Joker In The Pack
The lyrics to The Adicts's song "Joke in the Pack" are a self-proclamation of being the wild card or the unpredictable element in a group or society. The first two lines describe the persona's appearance - boots that shine and a bowler hat that looks fine - as if indicating that the outer facade is not a true representation of what lies beneath. The next line advises not to trust the smile, which could be interpreted in multiple ways. It could either mean that the persona is hiding something sinister or that they cannot be taken seriously due to their playful demeanor. The following line states that jokers are wild, which implies that the persona does not fit into the conventional norms and has accepted that as their identity.
The chorus repeats the line "Oh Yeah I am the Joker In The Pack" thrice, solidifying the statement made in the previous verse. The choice of words, "joker in the pack," is an idiom used to refer to the card that can be any value and, hence, unpredictable. The phrase also signifies a person who does not fit the expected mold and stands out due to their idiosyncrasies. The song's lyrics overall suggest that the persona has embraced their unique traits and is aware of the consequences of being a misfit but is willing to take the risk.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my boots they shine
My appearance may seem polished and put-together, but it is deceptive in nature.
And my bowler looks fine
I may accessorize well and appear fanciful, but my intentions are not so pure.
But don't confide in my smile
My demeanor and facial expressions can mislead and disguise my true character.
Because jokers are wild
Those who mimic or pretend to be good, honest citizens can actually be unpredictable and even dangerous.
Oh Yeah I am the Joker In The Pack
I am the one who is not to be trusted, as my true nature is that of a trickster.
Oh Yeah I am the Joker In The Pack
I am the outlier in the group, known to break the rules and upset the balance.
Oh Yeah I am the Joker In The Pack
I relish in my identity as the mischievous one, and am not ashamed of it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: The Adicts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sauce
Oh, my boots, they shine
And my bowler looks fine
Take some time and care
Take a look at my hair
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
We hit the dance hall
So smart and so chic
I make them laugh a lot
I make them accept me
Secrets are spoken
Plans are drawn in the dust
With a gay bravado
I'm taken into their trust
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah I'm a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah I'm a...
Oh, my boots, they shine
And my bowler looks fine
But don't confide in my smile
Because jokers are wild
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
Submit Corrections
Aldo ramirez
Oh my boots they shine
And my bowler looks fi-i-i-i-ine
Take some time and care
Take a look at my hair
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I’m a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I’m a joker in the pack
We hit the dance hall
So smart and so chic-chic-chic-chic-chic
I make them laugh a lot
I make them accept me
Secrets are spoken
Plans are drawn in the dust
With a gay bravado
I'm taken into their trust
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I’m a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah I’m a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah I’m a..
Oh my boots they shine
And my bowler looks fi-i-i-i-ine
But don't confide in my smile
Because jokers are wild
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I’m a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm a joker in the pack
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, I’m a joker in the pack
Jessie Davee
The adicts are definetly one of the greatest punk bands of all time
ivone rigo
Isso sim é um clássico do Punk Rock!!!!
Lyla
My favorite punk band to this day
esellanta
i had this friend in high school who always tried to make me listen to The Adicts. Me being the metal head that i was i never gave them a chance...years later i realize how narrow minded i was.... i love the Adicts now lol
Floki09
Better late than never
esellanta
ElMalvado Oh yeah!
Alex Rod
+esellanta theres better shit he could of told you to listen to hahah. in my opinion addicts only have like 4 good songs all of their other music is kind of to youthful or something.
esellanta
Adicts were just one of the many he exposed me to. Bands like Exploited, Casualties and Sex Pistols to name a few.
20eyesmisfit
That sweet blend of the american and british punk sound, gotta love the adicts.
Aidan
And the misfits