The band began in 1978 in the North-Wales town of Rhyl, under the name of 'Seventeen'. Its 4 members were Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist. They knocked around the music scene for a while with little success and reformed as 'Alarm Alarm' (taken from one of Seventeen's songs) in 1981. Then revered BBC DJ John Peel compared them to Duran Duran and Talk Talk and they quickly changed their name to 'The Alarm'. With the change of their name, came a change of location. The Alarm moved to London and shared a small flat in the city to save money for their first single, 'Unsafe Building' b/w 'Up For Murder'. They came to the attention of U2 in '82 and toured with them as their support band (they frequently reprised that role). In 1983, 'Sixty-Eight Guns' was released. It became their biggest hit, propelling them to #17 in the charts, and they appeared on Top of The Pops for the first and last time. Throughout the decade, the band made more albums, including 'Strength' and 'Eye of the Hurricane'; but by the late 80's The Alarm had begun to drift apart, with Dave Sharp feeling isolated and left out of the song writing process. The relationships within the band were deteriorating. Their last album, 'Raw', was fragmented and the group were breaking apart. On June 30th 1991 at the Brixton Academy, Mike Peters announced on stage that he was leaving 'The Alarm' without telling the rest of the band. And thus The Alarm ended.
The Alarm can lay claim to a series of 15 Top 50 UK singles, including their classic hits, "68 GUNS", "SPIRIT OF 76", "RAIN IN THE SUMMERTIME", "STRENGTH" "45 RPM" and of course "THE STAND".
Ten successful albums and over 5 million sales worldwide, The Alarm's pioneering use of acoustic guitars brought the band into direct contact with the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and U2, all whom have appeared and sung on stage with The Alarm.
Both Mike Peters and Dave Sharp embarked on solo careers with Peters again fronting the second generation of The Alarm with James Stevenson (Gene Loves Jezebel, Chelsea), Craig Adams (Sisters of Mercy, The Mission) and Steve Grantley (Stiff Little Fingers).
In 2004 The Alarm returned to the singles charts with 45RPM, the first single released from the bands album, "IN THE POPPYFIELDS".
The story of how the band released the single under a pseudonym, appearing to be a brand new musical act, complete with a group of 21 year olds appearing in the video for 45rpm to help complete the scam, became an international controversial news story and elevated the bands profile to new heights and a major motion picture based on the story is scheduled for production.
In late December 2005, singer Mike Peters revealed he has been diagnosed with a form of cancer called chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but it was diagnosed in its early stages and his prognosis is favourable. This came after he had been in remission from cancer previously that he had fought in the 1990s. Indeed the 1996 solo album Feel Free has a song titled "Regeneration" in which he discusses his diagnosis and subsequent alternative medicine that he believes help cure him.
In 2007 Mike launched the 'Love Hope Strength' foundation which sets to raise funds andand awareness in fighting cancer.
Most recently, in July 2008, The Alarm will be releasing their latest full length album "Guerilla Tactics" Mixed by Gilby Clarke ( Guns N' Roses) on 7 July 2008 and will embark on a U.S. tour this summer on the "Rockin' The Colonies" tour with The English Beat and The Fixx to be followed by The Guerilla Tactics UK Residency tour in 4 Major UK Cities in November 2008.
Mike peters and the band in various forms still meet and play on occasions at local venues. Mike has a strong following and working on his solo career and still is heavily involved in music
Wonderful World
The Alarm Lyrics
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At school children singing whilst studying sums
Itæ?¯ a clear sign of violence
And it's laced with heavy support
This whole situations been dragged through the dirt
By gargoyles and monsters and man eating birds
Who act like the jury but you never see them stand up in court
But these are the ways of this wonderful world
These are the ways of this wonderful world
Well back at the banquet a madam meets her fate
Whilst almost a mile from her country estate
The helpless and homeless are dancing a ring in the rain
Prompted by pressure from home and abroad
Fifty five of them ministers will try to reach accord
On some ill judged remarks concerning madam baby Lorraine
It's savage and ugly the riots unfurl
But these are the ways of this wonderful world
These are the ways of this wonderful world
Consignments of bibles and passenger planes
Japanese funerals and gambling games
And backers and bidders are dealing in textiles and lace
They order revues that will salvage the state
Guaranteed to put off and pass up that decay
While the latest concerns are reports of a slackening pace
Well it's savage and ugly the riots unfurl
But these are the ways of this wonderful world
These are the ways of this wonderful world
(Well rock it son)
Well it's savage and ugly the riots unfurl
But these are the ways of this wonderful world
These are the ways of this wonderful world
Yes these are the ways of this wonderful world
So don't be a panicking haven't you heard
That these are the ways of this wonderful world
This wonderful world
(One more time)
Violence
Aggression
Homeless
Helpless
Hey wonderful
The Alarm's song "Wonderful World" is a commentary on the state of the world during the time it was written. The lyrics describe various scenes of violence and unrest, contrasted with seemingly trivial events such as banquets and revues. The first verse paints a picture of armed men threatening schoolchildren, suggesting a world where violence is normalized and even condoned by those in power. The second verse describes the fate of a madam, who is presumably a victim of violence or corruption. The final verse touches on the interests of various businesspeople, who seem to be more concerned with salvaging the state than with addressing the underlying issues causing unrest.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "these are the ways of this wonderful world", suggesting a sense of resignation or acceptance in the face of all the violence and injustice being described. Despite the dark subject matter, however, the song's overall tone is upbeat and even celebratory, with an energetic guitar riff running throughout. This could suggest a desire to find hope and meaning even in the midst of chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Guys wearing gas masks are levelling their guns
Aggression
At school children singing whilst studying sums
Contrast between childhood innocence and war
Itæ?¯ a clear sign of violence
Obvious signs of aggression
And it's laced with heavy support
Violence met with approval
This whole situations been dragged through the dirt
Chaos and confusion
By gargoyles and monsters and man eating birds
Dangerous, unseen forces at work
Who act like the jury but you never see them stand up in court
Injustice and lack of accountability
Well back at the banquet a madam meets her fate
Darkness hidden behind the veneer of high society
Whilst almost a mile from her country estate
Proximity of violence to the wealthy
The helpless and homeless are dancing a ring in the rain
Contrast between luxury and poverty
Prompted by pressure from home and abroad
Influence of external forces
Fifty five of them ministers will try to reach accord
Attempts at diplomacy, often ineffective
On some ill judged remarks concerning madam baby Lorraine
Controversial issues that overshadow true problems
Consignments of bibles and passenger planes
Contrasting elements of society
Japanese funerals and gambling games
Divergent cultural practices
And backers and bidders are dealing in textiles and lace
Focus on material goods
They order revues that will salvage the state
Attempts to maintain the status quo
Guaranteed to put off and pass up that decay
Delaying consequences
While the latest concerns are reports of a slackening pace
Shift in priorities
Yes these are the ways of this wonderful world
Acceptance of the harsh realities of life
So don't be a panicking haven't you heard
Urging for calm acceptance
That these are the ways of this wonderful world
Reinforcing the notion of inherent darkness in society
This wonderful world
Contrasting title and theme
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind