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.
Something That I Said
The Ruts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just cause something that I said
You don't want to know the truth
Cause you're wild and full of youth
Was it something that I said
Something that I said
Something in my head?
You ain't got no friends no more
Cause you kicked them to the floor
Time will tell, and you will see
That it's down to you, not me
Was it something that I said
Something that I said
Something in my head?
OK, now you're on your own
Your self-righteousness has grown
So get off your pedestal
Before you ain't got no friends no more
Was it something that I said
Something that I said
Something in my head?
The Ruts's song Something That I Said is an introspective piece that describes a relationship gone sour. The lyrics seem to address a former friend or lover, who is depicted as too wild and self-righteous, and who has cut off ties, possibly because of something the singer said or did. The song speaks of the fragile nature of friendship and the importance of speaking one's mind, however unpopular or uncomfortable it may be.
The chorus line "Was it something that I said, Something that I said, Something in my head?" highlights the singer's angst and confusion, as they try to recall what exactly happened to cause the rift in the relationship. The repetition of the line also emphasizes the weight of the situation and the singer's desperation for closure.
The bridge of the song, "You ain't got no friends no more, Cause you kicked them to the floor, Time will tell, and you will see, That it's down to you, not me", serves to point out the other person's responsibility in the situation. The lyrics suggest that the other person's behavior, not just something the singer said, led to the breakdown of the relationship.
Overall, Something That I Said is a thought-provoking song that explores the complex emotional terrain of human relationships. The lyrics paint a picture of how easily misunderstandings and disagreements can escalate, and how difficult it can be to bridge the divide once it has formed.
Line by Line Meaning
OK, kick me in the head
Give me a punishment for my actions
Just cause something that I said
I am being blamed for something I said
You don't want to know the truth
You are avoiding the reality of the situation
Cause you're wild and full of youth
Your youthful impulsiveness is causing you to act recklessly
Was it something that I said
I am wondering if my words caused this situation
You ain't got no friends no more
Your actions have led to you losing all of your friends
Cause you kicked them to the floor
Your mistreatment of your friends caused them to distance themselves from you
Time will tell, and you will see
The consequences of your actions will become clear over time
That it's down to you, not me
You are responsible for what has happened, not me
OK, now you're on your own
You are now without support or help from anyone else
Your self-righteousness has grown
Your belief in your own superiority has increased
So get off your pedestal
Stop believing that you are better than others
Before you ain't got no friends no more
If you don't change your behavior, you will lose all of your friends
Was it something that I said
I am still questioning if my words played a role in this situation
Something that I said
My words may have caused the problem
Something in my head?
I am wondering if my thoughts and beliefs contributed to this situation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FOX, JENNINGS, OWEN, RUFFY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vjenkins6815
The Ruts were/are one of the best punk bands of the period. Malcolm's overdose, at the age of just 25 yrs old, was truly tragic because the guy had a message, talent, and potential to be something massive. Malcolm Owen (RIP).
@hozonkai9967
Malcolm Owen, Ian Curtis, Bon Scott, John Bonham, Larry Williams, Darby Crash, and John Lennon. What a sad year 1980 was
@Etherglide
Im 57 now, but this was the very first single I bought with my own money. A proud moment.
@bobbyshafto3259
Money well invested !
@anneliamohara2842
Great single to buy you have good taste ! ☘️
@justinmorgan2126
Mine was Holy Diver by DIo
@samanthacook2495
Such a shame the lead singer died of a heroin overdose so early. Love The Ruts, and without him (Malcolm Owen?) they just weren't the same.
@net0465
A glorious moment my friend.
Cheers from France my friend 🙂
@DrottningStina
That guy's voice! still gets me 40 years later...
@devilsoffspring5519
They went to town recording this whole album. It sounds awesome. Most punk albums have half-assed production and sound compressed and flat.
The songs themselves are pretty good and sometimes very good, the playing is great and the sound is amazing. If you're the "audio type" then it's worth listening to just because of how good it sounds.