The Adicts are an English Punk rock band from Ipswich, Suffolk. They began … Read Full Bio ↴The Adicts are an English Punk rock band from Ipswich, Suffolk. They began life as the Afterbirth & The Pinz, in their hometown of Ipswich in late 1975. Popular in the 1980s, they were often in the indie charts at that time.
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

Smart Alex
The Adicts Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm a nasty habit
I'm joker in fact I'm a crazy exhibit?

Alex they call him Alex
Smart boy Alex
They call him Alex

I'm a dreamer

I'm a dream
I'm a fantasy addict
I'm a ghost(in the ghost time?)
I'm derelict

Alex, they call him Alex
Smart boy Alex
They call him Alex
They call him Alex
Smart boy Alex
They call him Alex
Smart boy Alex

I'm your stocking filler
I'm black I'm white
I'm day and night

Alex they call him Alex
Smart boy Alex
They call him Alex
They call him Alex
Smart boy Alex
They call him Alex
Smart boy Alex

Ha ha ha ha

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Adicts's song "Smart Alex" present the titular character as a complex, multifaceted individual. He is described as a "nasty habit" and a "joker," but also as a "smart boy" and a "dreamer." He is a "crazy exhibit," as if he belongs in a freak show. The repetition of his name emphasizes his prominence, suggesting that he is someone worth knowing. Throughout the song, Alex is identified by various labels and attributes, including being a "fantasy addict," a "ghost," and a "derelict." These descriptors add to the sense that he is a complicated figure, someone who is difficult to fully comprehend.

The song seems to celebrate Alex as an individual who is not afraid to be different. He is both "black" and "white," meaning that he is multifaceted and cannot be easily labeled. He is also described as a "stocking filler," which may suggest that he is a source of surprise or excitement. However, despite the apparent positivity of the song's lyrics, there is also a note of darkness in the repetition of the line "Ha ha ha ha" at the end. This laughter may indicate that there is something sinister about Alex or his situation.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a nasty habit
I am a bad habit that people can't help but indulge in.

I'm joker in fact I'm a crazy exhibit?
I am someone who enjoys making people laugh, but can also be viewed as strange or unusual.

Alex they call him Alex
The person being referred to is named Alex.

Smart boy Alex
The person being referred to is intelligent and knowledgeable.

I'm a dreamer
I have a lot of hopes and aspirations for my life.

I'm a dream
I represent the idea of chasing one's dreams and aspirations.

I'm a fantasy addict
I often get lost in daydreams and alternate realities.

I'm a ghost(in the ghost time?)
I feel like a spiritual being or an outsider in the real world.

I'm derelict
I am rundown, abandoned and in a state of disarray.

I'm your stocking filler
I am a small, yet cherished present that is often a surprise to receive.

I'm black I'm white
I can represent both the good and the bad in the world, the duality of human nature.

I'm day and night
I can represent both the light and dark parts of life, and the change between them.

Ha ha ha ha
This is a mocking laughter, possibly directed towards those who don't understand or appreciate Alex.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAM STEVENSON, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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