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.
Society
The Ruts Lyrics
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So much information about the things you do.
They're watching you now from a secret spyhole.
Hearing our words by radio control.
See you.
You don't know too much about me, I don't know too much about you.
See you. Yeah, they can see you.
You don't know too much about me, I don't know too much about you too.
Our media's controlled by hate.
You've been programmed, it's far too late.
The first time that you open your eyes
They plug you in to all their lies.
Lies.
You don't know too much about me, I don't know too much about you.
See you. Yeah, they can see you.
You don't know too much about me, I don't know too much about you too.
They hide behind a solid screen
But no-one tells you what they've seen.
Your life's a movie in their files.
Hold it there, can you smile?
Smile.
You don't know too much about me, I don't know too much about you.
See you. See you.
You don't know too much about me, I don't know too much about you.
See you. See you.
You don't know too much about me, I don't know too much about you.
See you. Yeah, they can see you.
The Ruts's song "Society" is a reflection on the surveillance and control by the media and authorities in society. The lyrics suggest that everyone is being watched and recorded, without their knowledge or consent. The use of the word "see" repeats throughout the song, emphasising the idea that we are constantly being observed by those in power, who hold all the information about our lives, including our words and actions.
The line "Our media's controlled by hate" is particularly powerful, suggesting that those who have access to our information have an agenda of their own. The song suggests that we are being "programmed" and fed lies, which we are not even aware of. The reference to a "solid screen" behind which those in power hide themselves adds to the idea of secrecy and manipulation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Society" convey the message that we are living in a society where our privacy is constantly being violated, and we are left vulnerable to manipulation and control by those in power. The repetition of the phrase "You don't know too much about me, I don't know too much about you" further reinforces the idea that we are living in an environment of mistrust and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you ever get the feeling someone's watching you?
Have you ever experienced the sensation of being observed by an unknown entity?
So much information about the things you do.
An ample amount of data is being collected about your actions and whereabouts.
They're watching you now from a secret spyhole.
At this very moment, you are being monitored through a concealed peephole.
Hearing our words by radio control.
Our spoken words are being captured through radio technology and processed for further analysis.
You don't know too much about me, I don't know too much about you.
We possess limited knowledge about each other, and our true identities remain a mystery.
See you.
We will encounter each other in the near future.
Yeah, they can see you.
Undoubtedly, you are being observed by a third party.
Our media's controlled by hate.
The mass media is influenced by prejudice and hostility.
You've been programmed, it's far too late.
Your actions and beliefs have been systemically implanted, and it's almost impossible to revert them.
The first time that you open your eyes.
From the very onset of your existence, you have been exposed to the indoctrination of the ruling class.
They plug you in to all their lies. Lies.
You have been hooked up to their deceitful narratives and propaganda, which are nothing but falsehoods.
They hide behind a solid screen.
They take cover behind a dense screen of secrecy, making it almost impossible to infiltrate their operations.
But no-one tells you what they've seen.
They refrain from disclosing their findings, and you have no clue of what they have discovered.
Your life's a movie in their files.
They maintain extensive records of your life and actions, just like a movie script.
Hold it there, can you smile? Smile.
They can pause, rewind, and play back your life anytime, and see if you are still content with your actions and choices.
Contributed by Liliana J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@daviddavidson5748
Fkin amazing not heard for years
@valerieyates1427
Classic