Chaos
The Four Skins Lyrics
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Seeing all the skinheads standing in a line
Foaming at the mouth, Waiting for a fight
High boots, cropped hair, what a fucking sight
Come back of the skinhead
Come back of the boot
People that we don't beat up
We are the new breed, we will have our say
We are the new breed, we ain't gonna die
Trouble east London
Trouble in the street
On the street corners
Where the gang still meets
Talking about the weekend
What they're gonna do?
If you ain't careful
They are gonna do you!
Come back of the skinhead
Come back of the boot
People that we don't beat up
We're gonna fucking shoot
We are the new breed, we will have our say
We are the new breed, we ain't gonna die
Chaos in the city
Civil war now
Skinheads taking over
Like skinheads know how
Skinhead with his boots on
Nobody's fool
Skinheads taking over
Chaos is the rule!
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss!
Do you remember in 1969?
Seeing all the skinheads standing in a line
Foaming at the mouth, Waiting for a fight
High boots, cropped hair, what a fucking sight
Come back of the skinhead
Come back of the boot
People that we don't beat up
We're gonna fucking shoot
We are the new breed, we will have our say
We are the new breed, we ain't gonna die
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss!
The Four Skins's song "Chaos" is a reflection of the violence that plagued the skinhead subculture in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the UK. The singer reminisces about seeing a group of skinheads in 1969, with their cropped hair and high boots, foaming at the mouth and ready for a fight. The lyrics speak of the skinheads being a new breed and that they will have their say. They claim that people they don't beat up, they will shoot instead. The chorus repeats twice, with the lyrics "Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss" suggesting that the skinheads have no regard for the chaos and destruction they are causing.
The song then goes on to describe the trouble in East London and on street corners, where gangs still gather to plan their next move. The skinheads are shown as taking over the city and causing chaos, with the lyrics "Skinheads taking over like skinheads know how". The song is a commentary on the perceived rise of the skinhead subculture and its association with violence and destruction.
"Chaos" is a song that reflects the turbulent period of the late 1960s and early 1970s in the UK, which saw a rise in right-wing politics and the emergence of the skinhead subculture. The song became an anthem within the skinhead community and has been covered by several punk and oi! bands over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember in 1969?
Asking if the listener recalls a particular event from the past
Seeing all the skinheads standing in a line
Observing a group of skinheads who were lined up
Foaming at the mouth, Waiting for a fight
Aggressively anticipating a fight, to the point of excessive salivation
High boots, cropped hair, what a fucking sight
Commenting on the distinctive appearance of skinheads, who wore short hair and high boots
Come back of the skinhead
The resurgence of the skinhead subculture
Come back of the boot
The return of the boot as a symbol of the skinhead identity
People that we don't beat up
Those who are not targeted for violence by skinheads
We're gonna fucking shoot
Skinheads will resort to using firearms to assert their power
We are the new breed, we will have our say
A declaration of the skinheads' identity as a new, distinct group who will make their presence known
We are the new breed, we ain't gonna die
Asserting the strength and resilience of the skinhead subculture
Trouble east London
Referring to a specific area where disturbances were happening
Trouble in the street
Violent conflict occurring openly
On the street corners
Gathering places for gangs and skinheads
Where the gang still meets
The ongoing presence of violent, organized groups
Talking about the weekend
Discussing plans for future acts of violence and mayhem
What they're gonna do?
Asking about specific plans for violence and disruption
If you ain't careful
Warning the listener that they may become a target of violence if they are not cautious
They are gonna do you!
A threat of violence against those who are not part of the skinhead subculture
Chaos in the city
Describing the current state of the environment, which is characterized by violence, disorder and instability
Civil war now
A metaphorical statement that describes the violent struggle between different groups in society
Skinheads taking over
Describing the growing power and influence of the skinhead subculture
Like skinheads know how
A sarcastic statement that suggests skinheads are inherently skilled at violence and chaos
Skinhead with his boots on
Referencing the skinhead subculture's distinctive style and features
Nobody's fool
Asserting the strength of the skinhead subculture, that should not be underestimated
Chaos is the rule!
Describing the philosophy of the skinhead subculture, to embrace disorder and violence
Chaos, chaos, chaos, don't give a toss
Reiterating the skinhead subculture's glorification of chaos and violence, and lack of concern for others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VOLKER GRUENER, FOUR SKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind