Suburban Rebels
The Business Lyrics


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They're the sons and daughters of well off bankers
Tom Robinsons' army of trendy wankers
Flared blue jeans and anoracks
With yellow streaks all down their backs
Who act so tough when their on tv
But trendy wankers don't scare me

[Chorus]
Oi!, Oi! Oi! Chosen few
This is what we think of you
Surburban rebels playing at reds
You would be urban terrorists
You don't scare us with your badges and banners
You know fuck all about heavy manners

You're the middle class kiddies from public schools
Who write the slogans on the toilet walls
Like Tony Benn's clones in plastic masks
You wave a hammer and sickle, never Union Jacks
Got lots of mouth when your in a crowd
But when your alone you don't speak loud





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Business's song "Suburban Rebels" are a bitter attack directed towards a specific group of young people who claim to rebel against the prevailing culture but are, in fact, only playing at being revolutionaries. The opening lines introduce the group as "the sons and daughters of well off bankers" who pretend to be tough and rebellious but are nothing more than "trendy wankers." The lyrics go on to describe their fashion sense in disparaging terms: "flared blue jeans and anoraks with yellow streaks all down their backs."


The second verse is even harsher in its criticism, likening these young people to "middle class kiddies from public schools" who have no real understanding of the causes they espouse. They are accused of being unable to think for themselves, mindlessly copying slogans from Tony Benn and other left-wing figures, and everything they do is dismissed as an empty gesture. The chorus is a direct message to these young people, denouncing them as "suburban rebels playing at reds" and calling them "urban terrorists." The implication is that they are posing as radical revolutionaries when, in reality, they are a privileged minority with no real grievances.


In short, "Suburban Rebels" is a scathing critique of a particular type of young person: those who adopt a veneer of radicalism without really understanding the causes they claim to support. The song is particularly angry about the hypocrisy of such people: they claim to be standing up for the oppressed and downtrodden, but in reality, they know "fuck all about heavy manners."


Line by Line Meaning

They're the sons and daughters of well off bankers
The people being referred to in this song are from wealthy families.


Tom Robinsons' army of trendy wankers
These people are seen as Tom Robinson's followers and are considered to be pretentious and unauthentic.


Flared blue jeans and anoracks
Their clothing style includes bell-bottomed jeans and lightweight jackets.


With yellow streaks all down their backs
The song suggests that these people are cowardly and have a weak character.


Who act so tough when their on tv
These people project an image of confidence and strength when they appear on television.


But trendy wankers don't scare me
Despite their posturing, the singer is not intimidated by them.


[Chorus] Oi!, Oi! Oi! Chosen few This is what we think of you Surburban rebels playing at reds You would be urban terrorists You don't scare us with your badges and banners You know fuck all about heavy manners
The chorus suggests that these people are insignificant and their actions are meaningless. They are labeled as suburban rebels who cannot be taken seriously as they have no real understanding of serious political issues.


You're the middle class kiddies from public schools
The people being referred to are from middle-class families and have attended public schools.


Who write the slogans on the toilet walls
These people express their opinions in meaningless and juvenile ways, such as writing on bathroom walls.


Like Tony Benn's clones in plastic masks
These people are compared to those who follow political figures like Tony Benn without truly understanding their ideas.


You wave a hammer and sickle, never Union Jacks
Their allegiances are to symbols of communism, rather than the country they live in.


Got lots of mouth when your in a crowd
These people are only bold when surrounded by others who share their views and opinions.


But when your alone you don't speak loud
When they are by themselves, they do not have the courage to express their beliefs or opinions.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNSON, KENT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@manoloxines9113

RIP Micky...you were and will always be a true gentleman...an inspiration to all!

@willieluncheonette

LAST SONG REMEMBERING MICKY FITZ , SINGER IN THE BUSINESS, WHO PASSED YESTERDAY.
This video of Suburban Rebels is from a gig in London in 1988. Suburban Rebels and Harry May, are probably their two most famous songs. RIP MICKY. We all miss you.

@thewarriorsofficialyoutube5078

Great band Rest in peace Micky Fitz

@Turkishcap

Just found this group today but good stuff, better late than never.

@emmanuelgoldstein2558

Saw 'em in '99 Mickey Fitz was old as shit then lol

@Damageinc-om2lo

Oh man you did well tho! Enjoy OI!

@bessallin459

Bless you. Grew up with this stay true mate many more bands out there for you

@Jennadanger10

@@emmanuelgoldstein2558 saw them that year myself.

Saw them a second time around 2013 or so give or take a year. I know it was within a few years of his passing.

Both times they absolutely brought it and the shows were great though I still wish I had been old enough to see them (and countless other bands) in their primes. I turned 3 the same year this was shot.

@roelhoremans5887

Band sounds tight as hell at this concert. Great atmospheric video.

@fernandocavalcantelopes

Cheers and Oi! from São Paulo, Brazil

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