1) The Piranhas were a ska-influenced punk band from Brighton.
Their live act was supposed to be one of the best around and they soon had a large following and were beginning to get some choice gigs out of town. Their songs were laced with a dry, sardonic wit, backed up with some catchy hooklines.
They were formed in 1977, and were originally part of the Brighton punk scene. They first came to prominence when DJ John Peel started playing their single "I Don't Want My Body" on his BBC Radio 1 programme, but achieved their biggest success with their cover version of the South African kwela song "Tom Hark". This had been an instrumental hit in 1958 for Elias & His Zig Zag Jive Flutes, and had already been covered in a ska style by Millie Small. With new lyrics written by the band's frontman "Boring" Bob Grover, it was a Top 10 hit in 1980. It was the first song to feature on BBC Television's pop music programme, Top of the Pops, when it returned in 1980 after being blacked out for several months by industrial action.
From Suzy Horne in the The Piranhas first fan club fanzine:
"Their first gig as the Piranhas was at the Vault supporting another local punk band Wrist Action. It was an anti-Jubilee gig, held on Jubilee Day 1977. Even the hand stamp said "Fuck the Jubilee". Their set consisted of about eight punk songs with titles such as Maniac, Tell the Truth, Hilary Bites, I Want Your Body and Johnny Mono, plus a couple of covers including a punk version of Let's Spend the Night Together. The only slower song was called Shut Up which became a strong favourite and highlight of the set. It even had it's own dance at one time. "
Original line-up (1977-81)
* Bob Grover - guitarist, lead vocals, trumpeter
* Dick Slexia (Richard Adland) - drummer
* Johnny Helmer - guitarist, vocals
* Reginald Frederick Hornsbury - bassist
* Zoot Alors - saxophonist
Discography
1980
* "Tom Hark" / #6 UK
* "I Don't Want My Body"
* " Zambesi" / # 17 UK
* LP - The Piranhas / #69 UK
2) The Piranhas were a garage punk band from Detroit, MI, United States, formed in 1998, disbanded in 2004.
Members: Jamie Easter (vocals), Nai Sammon (guitar), Brian (bass), Pear (drums, saxophone), Ami (organ, glockenspiel), Ling-Ling (drums, 1998-2000)
Tom Hark
The Piranhas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna know, I've gotta book me holidee.
They want me in the army, but I just can't go,
I'm far too busy listening to the radio.
The whole thing's daft, I don't know why,
You have to laugh, or else you cry,
You have to live or else you die,
My friends say that we're heading for a grotty time,
It's just a load of slapstick in a pantomime,
We're heading for disaster, but I just don't care,
Shut your eyes and count to ten, you won't be there.
The whole thing's daft, I don't know why,
You have to laugh, or else you cry,
You have to live or else you die,
You have to laugh or else you cry.
The Piranhas's song Tom Hark appears to be a commentary on the absurdity and implications of global conflicts. The opening line, "Does anybody know how long to World War Three?" suggests a level of concern and desperation about a possible new conflict. However, this concern is immediately juxtaposed with the line, "I wanna know, I've gotta book me holidee," a statement that reveals the singer's reluctance to acknowledge the severity of the situation and instead focus on their personal life.
The next line, "They want me in the army, but I just can't go, I'm far too busy listening to the radio," further emphasizes the singer's detachment from reality and their hesitance to engage with the larger world. This is further underscored by the chorus, "You have to laugh or else you cry, you have to live or else you die," which suggests that the only way to cope with the absurdity of the situation is through humor and a sense of detachment.
The second verse continues this theme, as the singer's friends warn them about the impending disaster, but they choose to ignore it and adopt an attitude of apathy. "Shut your eyes and count to ten, you won't be there," suggests a desire to escape or ignore the conflict altogether. Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the ways in which individuals cope with the looming threat of war, and the different strategies people use to maintain their sanity in the face of chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Does anybody know how long to World War Three?
Do we have any idea when the next global conflict will occur?
I wanna know, I've gotta book me holidee.
I need to know because I have to plan my vacation time accordingly.
They want me in the army, but I just can't go,
The military is recruiting, but I have other priorities and cannot join.
I'm far too busy listening to the radio.
I have a lot on my plate, including staying informed through the airwaves.
The whole thing's daft, I don't know why,
This whole situation is ridiculous, and I'm not sure why it's happening.
You have to laugh, or else you cry,
It's either laugh to keep from crying or be consumed by emotion.
You have to live or else you die,
We must keep going, or else we will perish.
You have to laugh or else you cry.
Once again, the choice is laughing or letting overwhelming emotion take over.
My friends say that we're heading for a grotty time,
My peers believe that adversity is on the horizon.
It's just a load of slapstick in a pantomime,
This situation seems like a pointless show with lots of physical comedy.
We're heading for disaster, but I just don't care,
Even though catastrophe may be near, I am indifferent.
Shut your eyes and count to ten, you won't be there.
If you shy away from the terrible reality and avoid it, it won't affect you.
Contributed by Leo E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yeknotelekskcalb
LYRICS
Does anybody know how long 'til World War Three?
I wanna know, I've Gotta book me holidee
They want me in the army but I just can't go
I'm far too busy listening to the radio
The whole thing's daft - I don't know why
You have to laugh or else you'll cry
You have to live or else you'll die
You have to laugh or else you'll cry
My friends say that we're headed for a grotty time
It's just a bit of slapstick in the pantomime
We're headed for disaster but I just don't care
Just shut your eyes and count to ten you won't be there
The whole thing's daft - I don't know why
You have to laugh or else you'll cry
You have to live or else you'll die
You have to laugh or else you'll crySource: MusixmatchSongwriters: Rupert BopapeTom Hark lyrics © Beechwood Music Corporation, E.M.I. South Africa
@patrickstocks3986
Does anybody know how long ‘til World 🌍 War 3?
I wanna know, I’ve Gotta book 📖 me holidee
They want me in the army but I just can’t go
I’m far too busy listening 👂 to the radio 📻
The whole things daft-I don’t know why
You have to laugh 😆 or else you’ll cry 😢
You have to live or else you’ll die
You have to laugh 😂 or else you’ll cry 😢
My friends say that we’re headed for a grotty time
It’s just a bit of slapstick in the pantomime
We’re headed for disaster but I just don’t care 🤷♀️
Just shut your eyes 👀 and count to 10 you won’t be there
The whole things daft-I don’t know why
You have to laugh 😂 or else you’ll cry 😢
You have to live or else you’ll die
You have to laugh 😆 or else you’ll cry 😢
@JoFunnyOnion
I was 14 in 1980! Where did the time go, it’s flown by?!
Young people, make the most of being young as one day you will look for the music of your youth and see that 42 years has whizzed by in the blink of an eye!
@Fast69420
You've lived a long life i think. Do you think life has a purpose?
@peterschneiter7960
Yep, 42+ years indeed.
This video brings back happy memories of their gigging days around London.
@briandavis8939
I was 12 and a Skinhead still a Skinhead
@maryhinge5853
I was 9 when this came out took 25 years to know it is called tom hark
@edgarlee2802
@@maryhinge5853 It took me over forty. All I had to go on was "..you have to laugh or else you cry" which I Googled. And here I am!
@moogdome2562
Wish I could wake up to find, today was just a bad dream, and it was the 80's again.Great times great music, organic girls. The most catchy infectuous tune ever.
@lhu8891
It was a good music era but it was a absolutely terrible era to live in the uk we were in a recession and had thatcher as our prime minister it was very rough for millions! I was lucky to have had a father who worked all of his life and passed his business on to the family but they still weren't the glory days like people make them out to be
@susanhumphreys7980
RIP friend who died yesterday. This song is yours. Will miss you
@Eltonlaleham
I turned 11 in 1980 and the time, has sure flown by and I wish in trillions of ways I could travel back in time in a time machine.