In mid-1977 the band moved to the UK, where it became apparent that they and their label had different ideas as to how they should be marketed. EMI planned to sell The Saints as a typical punk band complete with ripped clothes. The Saints insisted on wearing collared shirts and sweaters, and left their hair long. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Chris Bailey, guitarist Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay on drums with Kym Bradshaw and later Algy Ward on bass.
Kuepper, Hay and Ward left the band in 1978, but Chris Bailey continued touring and recording as The Saints with a revolving line-up of musicians throughout the 80's including the late Janine Hall on bass. The Saints' commercial breakthrough into the US came in 1986 with the album "All Fools Day", with the video for "Just Like Fire Would" receiving airplay on MTV.
After releasing a couple of records under his own name, Bailey reformed The Saints in 1996. Once again without any of the other founding members but they have reunited occasionally to perform live. The Saints music could often be heard in the background during episodes of Neighbours in the 1990's!
The current line-up is:
Chris Bailey - Guitar and vocals
Caspar Wijnberg - Bass
Peter Wilkinson - Drums
Other bands:
2) A Reggae Band.
3) Polish klezmer band from Cracow.
4) Saints (sans The) is an experimental group from Goleta, CA.
5) '60s British band recorded by Joe Meek.
6) An American 60's uptown soul group.
One Way Street
The Saints Lyrics
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People everywhere are still playing the same old game, yeah
For a dime they put you down lay you in your grave, yes they will
They put you down when you are not around it drives you insane
That's why I gotta get some changes made
Honey, want to rearrange some day
C'mon little baby, my mind is getting sick of today
Uptown downtown acting just like you should
Even if you play their game it won't do you no good
There's too many creeps out there hungry for your blood, yes they are
They put you down when you are not around, drives you insane
That's why I gotta get some changes made
Honey want to rearrange some day
C'mon little baby, my mind is sick enough of today
All right now!
You can say anything!
Come on, take it away!
Don't know why sometimes I don't feel like trying
Seeing everybody darlin' only makes me mad
If they don't like it honey guess that's too bad
It's just driving me mad
Goin' outta my brain!
It's drivin' me insane!
Can't stand this pain!
Ah, come on now!
Uptown downtown acting just like you should
Even if you play their game, it won't do you no good
There's too many creeps out there hungry for your blood, yes they are
They put you down when you are not around, drives you insane
That's why I gotta get some changes made
Honey want to rearrange some day
C'mon little baby, my mind is sick enough of today
The Saints's song "One Way Street" describes the frustration of the singer with the existing social norms and societal pressure to conform. The repeated refrain, "They put you down when you are not around, drives you insane," highlights the isolation and alienation that often comes with such pressure. The lyrics of the song suggest that people are playing the same old game, and they put you down and bury you in your grave for just a dime. Despite the frustration, the singer seeks change, wanting to 'rearrange someday' and stop conforming to the societal norms that seem to drive him insane.
The lyrics also suggest that there are too many 'creeps out there hungry for your blood,' implying that there are people who will take advantage of you if you conform to societal norms. The song highlights the dangers of trying to fit in and be accepted and calls for individualism and self-acceptance. The singer wants to break free from the one-way street, 'where there are no choices, only destinations.'
Line by Line Meaning
On the left on the right honey, it's all the same
No matter where you go, people play the same game and it's all the same.
People everywhere are still playing the same old game, yeah
People everywhere tend to engage in the same type of behavior.
For a dime they put you down lay you in your grave, yes they will
People will degrade and belittle you for a small amount of money.
They put you down when you are not around it drives you insane
If people speak ill of you behind your back, it can cause you emotional distress.
That's why I gotta get some changes made
The artist feels the need to make changes in their life.
Honey, want to rearrange some day
The singer desires to reorganize their life at some point in the future.
C'mon little baby, my mind is getting sick of today
The singer is tired of the present situation and is looking for a way out.
Uptown downtown acting just like you should
No matter where you go, people behave in the same way that's expected of them.
Even if you play their game it won't do you no good
Even if you conform to societal expectations, it won't necessarily bring you success or happiness.
There's too many creeps out there hungry for your blood, yes they are
There are many malicious people who are looking to harm you in some way.
Goin' outta my brain!
The singer is incredibly frustrated with the current situation and is reaching their breaking point.
Can't stand this pain!
The artist is experiencing emotional pain and can no longer tolerate it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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