The Adverts were an English punk rock band who formed in 1976 and broke up … Read Full Bio ↴The Adverts were an English punk rock band who formed in 1976 and broke up in 1979. They are mainly remembered for their singles "One Chord Wonders" and "Gary Gilmore's Eyes". "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" reached the UK top 20 in August 1977.

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.

New Day Dawning
The Adverts Lyrics

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We say don't show your guns, if you don't intend to fight
We say don't sleep all day, if you can't keep awake at night
Don't screw it up. Don't be a hero.
'Cause we don't need them.
Be a panther or a poet.
Someone to light the beacon.

And I wonder, is a new day dawning?

And I wonder, is it around the corner?
I wonder, are the fighting men still fighting men?
Do they go on and on and on?

Prepare to lose.
Prepare to harden to distress.
This ain't your system.
You're just second-generation business.
So don't screw it up. Don't be a hero.
'Cause we don't need them.
No political immunity.
To save your position.

And I wonder, is a new day dawning?
And I wonder, is it around the corner?
I wonder, are the fighting men still fighting men?
Do they go on and on and on?

You can't relax, just 'cause you're socially secure.
If you've forgot what you're fighting for.
We could effect a cause.
So don't screw it up. Don't be a hero.

'Cause we don't need them.
Frustration is a speed of the people and they let it lead them.

Overall Meaning

The Adverts' song "New Day Dawning" is a call to action to the youth of society to step up and make a difference. The lyrics advise individuals to not show off their guns unless they are willing to fight and to not sleep all day if they cannot keep awake at night. The song warns against screwing up and trying to be a hero but instead encourages individuals to be a panther or a poet - someone who can light the beacon and inspire positive change. The chorus questions whether a new day is dawning, whether it is just around the corner, and if fighting men are still fighting for what they believe in.

The song continues to stress the importance of preparing to lose and hardening oneself to distress, away from a system that does not belong to the individual. It urges against seeking political immunity to save one's position but instead encourages individuals to focus on the cause and not forget what they are fighting for. The final verse reminds us that we cannot depend solely on our social security and that frustration is driving the people forward, hoping that it will lead to significant change.

Line by Line Meaning

We say don't show your guns, if you don't intend to fight
If you don't plan to fight, don't flaunt your strength

We say don't sleep all day, if you can't keep awake at night
If you can't stay awake at night, don't sleep all day

Don't screw it up. Don't be a hero.
Don't mess things up by taking unnecessary risks

'Cause we don't need them.
We don't need reckless heroes

Be a panther or a poet.
You can be either strong or creative

Someone to light the beacon.
Be someone who guides and inspires others

And I wonder, is a new day dawning?
I'm curious if a new era of change is coming

And I wonder, is it around the corner?
I'm curious if change is imminent

I wonder, are the fighting men still fighting men?
I'm curious if those who fight are still doing so

Do they go on and on and on?
Do they persist in their fight for a long time?

Prepare to lose.
Be ready to accept failure