Their first gig was to support Generation X on January 15, 1977 at The Roxy in London; their last was at Slough College on October 27, 1979. When the Adverts finally split up, T.V. Smith continued with Tim Cross forming as TV Smith's Explorers, then Cheap, and finally through the 1990s to date performing as a solo artist.
Adverts' guitarist Howard Pickup (Howard Boak, Born 1951) died in 1997 of a brain tumor.
Bombsite Boy
The Adverts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little time, less senses.
Here by this railway cutting.
Life goes quick and it goes without warning.
That's how life is in my bombsite dwelling.
But I don't believe you have to be an idiot.
To get somewhere these days.
And do what everybody says,
Or get carried away.
Nowadays I fall among the empty shells and pray.
Give thanks - I'm happy where I am.
It's just as well.
Well, I thank God I never closed my eyes.
Thank God I never compromised.
Bombsite boy, the bombsite boy.
Thank God I wasn't mesmerized.
Bombsite boy, the bombsite boy - the bombsite boy.
There's a killer in your subway.
An anarchist on your street.
There's a breakdown on your T.V.
You can't find no relief.
In fact no feelings at all.
Your war is totally internal.
At least I'm sure that mine is - on the outside.
I can thank God I never closed my eyes.
Thank God I never compromised.
Bombsite boy, the bombsite boy.
Thank God I wasn't mesmerized.
Bombsite boy, the bombsite boy - the bombsite boy.
"Bombsite Boy" by The Adverts is a song about the life of a boy who lives in a destroyed environment, the aftermath of World War II. The lyrics describe the daily struggles and hardships of living in a bombsite dwelling. The singer reflects on the impermanence of life itself in such an environment, where danger can strike at any moment. He acknowledges that life is short and unpredictable, sometimes offering no warning before it's over.
The song also touches on the themes of questioning authority and conformity. The singer suggests that success can be achieved without sacrificing one's values or following the crowd. The lyrics encourage a sense of individuality and self-reliance, rejecting the notion of compromising one’s beliefs.
The chorus of the song, repeated multiple times, emphasizes the singer's gratitude for not being taken in by the chaos that surrounds him. Living in the rubble of the post-war landscape, he is grateful for his independence and his ability to avoid being seduced by the chaos that surrounds him. In the end, the song speaks to the universal human experience of finding one's way in an uncertain world.
Line by Line Meaning
Leapfrog over fences.
I am constantly striving to overcome obstacles and limitations.
Little time, less senses.
Time is fleeting and I must make the most of every moment before it's too late.
Here by this railway cutting.
I am in a barren and forgotten corner of society.
Life goes quick and it goes without warning.
Life is unpredictable and can be taken away at any moment.
That's how life is in my bombsite dwelling.
This is the harsh reality of living in a war-torn and neglected area.
But I don't believe you have to be an idiot.
I refuse to be labeled as unintelligent or foolish for my circumstances.
To get somewhere these days.
Success is attainable despite the odds stacked against me.
I don't believe you have to sell your soul,
I won't compromise my values or principles in order to succeed.
And do what everybody says,
I won't conform to societal norms or expectations.
Or get carried away.
I won't let success define or control me.
Nowadays I fall among the empty shells and pray.
I am surrounded by the remnants of an endless war and can only turn to faith for solace.
Give thanks - I'm happy where I am.
Despite the chaos and destruction that surrounds me, I am content with my current situation.
It's just as well.
I am at peace with the path my life has taken.
Well, I thank God I never closed my eyes.
I am grateful for the clarity of vision that has allowed me to navigate this difficult world.
Thank God I never compromised.
I am grateful for my unwavering commitment to my principles and values.
Bombsite boy, the bombsite boy.
I am a product of my war-torn environment.
Thank God I wasn't mesmerized.
I am grateful for my ability to see through the distractions and illusions of mainstream society.
There's a killer in your subway.
There is danger lurking in the most mundane aspects of everyday life.
An anarchist on your street.
There are those who seek to uproot the established order and sow chaos and destruction.
There's a breakdown on your T.V.
The media is perpetuating a narrative of destruction and despair.
You can't find no relief.
The world is overwhelming and there seems to be no escape from pain and suffering.
In fact no feelings at all.
The numbness that comes with living in a society in constant turmoil.
Your war is totally internal.
The internal battles and struggles are just as fierce and traumatizing as the external ones.
At least I'm sure that mine is - on the outside.
I am aware that my surroundings and circumstances have contributed to my internal struggles, but I am determined not to let them consume me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TIM TV SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind