Their third full length album, Punk and Poetry, was released on the 17th of April 2011
Tariq Ali described the band's sounds as 'rough, radical music that should unsettle the rulers of this country. A new generation of musicians are challenging war-monger politicians and their courtiers'. Influences include Public Enemy, The Clash, The Specials, Black Flag and Minor Threat.
On April 3rd 2012 the band announced via their Facebook page that they had split up with immediate effect. The statement by the band also revealed that one last album, Long Live The Struggle, would be released in early July 2012.
The King Blues released their comeback record "Off With Their Heads" on 27 February 2016, and a new album "The Gospel Truth" is due for release on 14 April 2017.
Blood On My Hands
The King Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The conscious rude boy ska from London town
So get up off your seat for the baddest sound around. Hey."
The job centre is handing out bullet proof vests,
For years you've been telling me I'm trouble making scum, now I can be the best.
Well, if you love England with all your heart, she'll take you to the grave.
If I can truly be the best then I'll never be your slave.
But I won't give my life away
To a government that oppressed me.
No, I won't have blood on my hands
For the sake of the economy.
But I won't give my life away
To a government that oppressed me.
No, I won't have blood on my hands
For the state of the economy.
Everyday the same, all of them-ah newspapers they read,
I see them pushing racism and difference of creed.
They try to claim that they are fightin' for God.
Re-write all them school books saying that oil is thicker then blood.
But I won't give my life away
To a government that oppressed me.
No, I won't have blood on my hands
For the sake of the economy.
But I won't give my life away
To a government that oppressed me.
No, I won't have blood on my hands
For the state of the economy
The song "Blood on My Hands" by The King Blues is a powerful call to action for the marginalized and oppressed to resist the government that has oppressed and subjugated them. The lyrics call out the injustices and inequalities perpetuated by the government, including racism, pushing for war and oil, and controlling the economy. The singer makes it clear that they will not be complicit in this oppression, and will not sacrifice their freedom or morality for the sake of the economy. The singer recognizes the consequences of speaking truth to power, including potentially being labeled as trouble-making scum, but they will not be silenced.
The lyrics also convey a sense of urgency and a call to action for listeners to join in the fight against oppression. The use of ska music, a genre rooted in resistance and protest, adds to the rallying cry for resistance. The lyrics encourage listeners to stand up and fight against the injustices they see in their society, to reject the government that has failed them, and to never allow themselves to become slaves to their oppressors.
Overall, "Blood on My Hands" is a powerful anthem of resistance and a call to action for individuals to reject the status quo and fight against the systems of oppression that control their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
The job centre is handing out bullet proof vests,
The government is so oppressive that even job centers are handing out protective gear.
For years you've been telling me I'm trouble making scum, now I can be the best.
Despite being labeled as trouble by society, the singer realizes they can use that label to be the best.
Well, if you love England with all your heart, she'll take you to the grave.
Patriotism can blind people to the harm caused by oppressive governments.
If I can truly be the best then I'll never be your slave.
By being their best self, the artist will not be controlled by oppressive forces.
Everyday the same, all of them-ah newspapers they read,
Society is fed the same biased narratives every day from the media.
I see them pushing racism and difference of creed.
The media perpetuates divisive and discriminatory ideologies.
They try to claim that they are fightin' for God.
People use religion as a guise to push their own agendas.
Re-write all them school books saying that oil is thicker then blood.
Society is being brainwashed with propaganda that prioritizes economic interests over human life.
But I won't give my life away
The artist refuses to allow their life to be consumed by oppressive forces.
To a government that oppressed me.
The government is blamed for the oppression experienced by the artist.
No, I won't have blood on my hands
The singer is not willing to be complicit in the harm caused by the government.
For the sake of the economy.
The harm caused by the government is driven by their focus on the economy over human well-being.
No, I won't have blood on my hands
The singer is resolute in their stance against complicity in oppression.
For the state of the economy.
The harm caused by the government is driven by their focus on economic gain rather than the welfare of the people.
Contributed by Max W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.