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
Numbers
The Adicts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna be a number
Just like being a prisoner
I just wanna stay free
Don't wanna be a number three
O I don't wanna be a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Signing on the dot
Got my name on a form
They treat you just insane
Oh I don't wann be no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
Sitting in a prison cell
Numbers on my chest
Age is just a number
Mummy does know best
Oh I don't wanna be no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
I don't wanna be a number
Just like being a prisoner
I just wanna stay free
Don't wanna be a number three
O I don't wanna be a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
The Adicts’ song “Numbers” is a punk rock anthem about the rejection of societal norms of conformity and being reduced to mere numbers by authority figures. The repeated counting from 1 to 8 in the song’s opening represents the counting that often takes place in institutions such as prisons and schools. The lyrics express the desire to resist being dehumanized and defined solely by a number, and to maintain personal freedom and identity. The line “Sitting in a prison cell, numbers on my chest” is a commentary on the dehumanizing process of being incarcerated and losing one’s individuality.
The chorus of the song is a powerful and repetitive reminder that being reduced to a number is a loss of identity and a form of control over one’s life. The line “Age is just a number, Mummy does know best” perhaps also criticizes the idea of age dictating what one can and cannot do, and the idea that parents always know what is best. Overall, the song is a call to embrace individuality and resist being defined simply by societal constructs.
Line by Line Meaning
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
The repeated numbers emphasize the feeling of being reduced to a mere number or statistic.
I don't wanna be a number
The singer wants to be seen as an individual with unique qualities and not just categorized as a number.
Just like being a prisoner
Being treated as a number strips away one's humanity and feels like being confined in a cell.
I just wanna stay free
Freedom is important to the singer, and being reduced to a number threatens that freedom.
Don't wanna be a number three
Even a specific number like 'three' doesn't offer any type of individuality or personality.
O I don't wanna be a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Reiterating the numbers drives home the point that the singer wants to be seen as more than just a numerical value.
Signing on the dot
The act of signing a document can feel like giving up control and identity.
Got my name on a form
Seeing one's name on a piece of paper can feel like a contract that limits freedom and individuality.
Thought I had it made
The singer may have believed that signing the document would lead to success and happiness, but instead it has made life more difficult.
They treat you just insane
Being reduced to a number can lead to inhumane treatment from others.
You are just a number
The repeated phrase solidifies the idea that identifying as a number is dehumanizing.
And I ain't got a name
Having one's identity boiled down to a number takes away the uniqueness and richness of a name.
Sitting in a prison cell
Prison serves as a metaphor for the feeling of being trapped and labeled a number.
Numbers on my chest
The number represents the loss of a true identity and the constant reminder of confinement.
Age is just a number
Even age, which is typically considered personal and unique, can be reduced to a number that represents nothing more than a statistic.
Mummy does know best
The line is likely meant to be sarcastic, as the idea of a mother having complete control over identity is unrealistic and limiting.
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER JONNATHAN DAVISON, MELVIN LEROY ELLIS, MICHAEL DAVISON, KEITH WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
joselin herrera arias
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
I don't wanna be a number
Just like being a prisoner
I just wanna stay free
Don't wanna be a number three
O I don't wanna be a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Signing on the dot
Got my name on a form
Thought I had it made
They treat you just insane
Oh I don't wann be no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
Sitting in a prison cell
Numbers on my chest
Age is just a number
Mummy does know best
Oh I don't wanna be no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
You are just a number
And I…
Matt Suryan
It never gets old... songs my soul will resonate to for ever
The_EVIL_top_hat
I swear, my entire family is basically this song. punk rock and awesomeness
joselin herrera arias
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
I don't wanna be a number
Just like being a prisoner
I just wanna stay free
Don't wanna be a number three
O I don't wanna be a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Signing on the dot
Got my name on a form
Thought I had it made
They treat you just insane
Oh I don't wann be no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
Sitting in a prison cell
Numbers on my chest
Age is just a number
Mummy does know best
Oh I don't wanna be no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
You are just a number
And I ain't got a name
You are just a number
And I…
Brandon Hofmann
la pimera rola de los adictos que escuche en la secundaria me la presento mi valedor el Bonaice jajajajajajaj ah webo regresando a las raizes punk que me definieron
J. P.
The BEST!!!!
Emmanuel James
1:19 the best part!!
paintballer13377
your just a number along with ur upvotes.
Jason Reese
Awesome punk rock
king jellybean
Literally started playin this at 12:34
windigo1976
Punks Not Dead Vy Volové!!! Visací Zámek :-)