After meeting at the Deeply Vale Free Festival, The Ruts were formed on 18 August ]1977, the band consisted of Malcolm Owen (vocals), Paul Fox (guitar), John "Segs" Jennings (bass) and Dave Ruffy (drums).[1] As part of the Misty in Roots People Unite collective based in Southall, west London, the band were active in anti-racist causes and played a number of benefits for Rock Against Racism.
On 11 February 1980, the band returned to a BBC studio for their third Peel session, two tracks of which - "Demolition Dancing" and "Secret Soldiers" - later appeared on Virgin's posthumous Grin & Bear It album.
By this time singer Malcolm Owen was suffering with health problems; a combination of sore throats and a heroin addiction. A UK tour was arranged, the 'Back to Blighty' tour, but a number of dates had to be cancelled due to Owen's condition. What turned out to be the last Ruts gig with Malcolm took place at Plymouth Polytechnic on 26 February 1980.
Many of the Ruts best gigs were RAR (Rock Against Racism) gigs with Misty in Roots, and Jah War was written in response to the Southall Riots where the police attacked the Anti-Nazi League that were protesting a National Front march through the predominantly British Indian Southall area.
The Ruts, in their attitude, politics and music were truly representative of the best Punk had to offer. Sadly we were never to discover how they would develop as Malcom Owen, their charismatic front man, died of a heroin overdose on 14th July 1980, aged 26.
Savage Circle
The Ruts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some people dedicated to ruin my life
Life's a savage circle
OK baby said you're allright
You think you know me well
Well you can go to hell
Your thick gives me a frown
Life's a savage circle
Some people dedicated to ruin my life
Life's a savage circle
OK baby said you're allright
You're well and look it out
Until do you doubt
You lot are just like you
I hope I'm getting through
Life's a savage circle
Some people dedicated to ruin my life
Life's a savage circle
OK baby said you're allright
You think you know me well
Well you can go to hell
Your thick gives me a frown
Well baby it's getting me down
Life's a savage circle
Some people dedicated to ruin my life
Life's a savage circle
OK baby said you're allright
You're well and look it out
Until do you doubt
You lot are just like you
I hope I'm getting through
I think you know, it's getting me down
It's getting me down,
Down down, Down
The lyrics to The Ruts' song "Savage Circle" express the sentiment that life is a repeating cycle of struggle, with some people seemingly dedicated to ruining the singer's life. The chorus repeats the phrase "life's a savage circle" over a driving punk rock beat, creating an almost hypnotic effect that emphasizes the endlessness of the struggle. The second verse takes a more confrontational tone, with the singer dismissing those who think they know them and telling them to "go to hell." The song concludes with a repetition of the phrase "getting me down," emphasizing the weariness and frustration of constantly battling against one's circumstances.
Overall, the lyrics to "Savage Circle" are a reflection of the punk rock ethos of The Ruts, with their emphasis on rebellion, dissent, and social criticism. The song speaks to the experience of struggling against a system that seems determined to keep the singer down, while also acknowledging the persistence and resilience needed to keep fighting back.
Line by Line Meaning
Life's a savage circle
Life is an endless cycle of struggles and hardships.
Some people dedicated to ruin my life
There are individuals who are committed to causing harm or misfortune to me.
OK baby said you're allright
Despite everything, there are still voices of reassurance and positivity in my life.
You think you know me well
People make assumptions about me and my character without truly knowing me.
Well you can go to hell
I am not interested in the opinions or judgments of those who do not truly understand me.
Your thick gives me a frown
The actions or words of certain people cause me to feel upset or frustrated.
You're well and look it out
Others appear to have an effortless or perfect life on the surface.
Until do you doubt
However, I have reason to believe that their lives are not as perfect as they seem.
You lot are just like you
I see through the façade that others put up and recognize their true nature.
I hope I'm getting through
I hope that others are finally starting to understand my perspective.
I think you know, it's getting me down
Despite the glimmers of hope and positivity, I am still weighed down by the constant struggles in my life.
It's getting me down
The weight of my problems is becoming too much to bear.
Down down, Down
Reiterating the sense of despair and hopelessness I feel.
Contributed by Jayce E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marc Shiner
Listened to this at least once a month since first hearing it in '79. Brilliantly brutally beautiful song featuring one of my top 5 "Basslines I wish I'd written".
BumberClart
Brutally 💚🎶🎧
Dj Doolittle
Beautifully
Bartol Marodi
What a brilliant band was this! When punk was punk
gino light
- No one could ever remake Ruts songs. Not like original Malcolm ! Rip
tsetsaaaaa
Tnx for the song man!
Robin Gray
I saw these four nights in a row, twice at the Nashville Rooms and then twice at the Marquee .
BertAtkin
Fucking Brilliant.
Jake McConnell
Came here because of Henry Rollins, I can see how these guys had an affect on him
fibsism
Class.