Following the album's release, the Screaming Jets went to the UK where they based themselves for over two years, touring there and throughout Europe with a variety of hard rock and heavy metal bands. During a series of shows with Ugly Kid Joe, Heaney was fired and replaced for the rest of the tour by one-time Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland.
The band's next album Tear of Thought, which featured Heaney's drumming, was initially slow to gain acceptance until a cover of Boys Next Door's "Shivers" saw the Screaming Jets back in the charts. Heaney was permanently replaced in the line-up by former BB Steal drummer Craig Rosevear and after a US tour with Def Leppard Lara was replaced by Melbourne musician Jimi "The Human" Hocking, who had previously fronted his own band, Jimi Human and Spectre 7, that released an album and two singles at the turn of the decade.
While the Screaming Jets remained only moderately successful overseas, in Australia they were one of the top-drawing live bands of the early-mid 1990s and perhaps the last remaining example of the pub rock acts that had ruled the country's live scene in the late 1970s - mid 1980s. While their single releases rarely scored high on the charts, they won significant airplay on rock radio and the band's tours were wildly successful. In 1995 the Screaming Jets' self-titled album made history when it became the first CD launched via live Webcast.
By the late 90s the Screaming Jets were touring less often and had not released an album of new material since 1996. Hocking had left in 1997 to be replaced by former Judge Mercy guitarist Izzy Osmanovich and after an extensive Australian tour in 2000, Rosevear left to be replaced by Col Hatchman. Although no longer the force they had once been, the Screaming Jets could still draw large crowds and in 2001 were selected to tour with Kiss and Alice Cooper; at the end of that year the band announced an extended break from all touring and recording, playing a final series of shows.
In December 2002, the Screaming Jets did another brief tour in support of a self-financed live album that had been recorded the previous year, but then did not play live again until mid-2004. Since then have continued to record and tour, though more sporadically than during the early 1990s and have also signed a record publishing deal with Universal Records.
Living In England
The Screaming Jets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't want to say that I was wrong
But does New Orleans have voodoo
Does cocaine make you chew
Are you acting like I wanted you to do
Living in England
I don't have to act like I'm having fun
Sitting here in the sun
In the jazz land I kept flashing to Angel Heart
In the heat you'll watch the fans go round and round and round
In that heart pumping south
It knocks my head about
Are you acting like I wanted you to do
Living in England
I don't have to act like I'm having fun
Sitting here in the sun
In England
When I'm out and dreaming
When I'm on my own
When I'm out and dreaming
Living in England
I don't have to act like
I'm having fun
Sitting here in the sun
In England
The lyrics to The Screaming Jets's song Living In England primarily speak to the experience of being in a different country and not having to conform to certain societal expectations. The first verse discusses superstitions and the desire to not admit fault, but then questions whether certain beliefs and behaviors actually hold any truth or value. The mention of New Orleans and voodoo speaks to the idea of cultural practices that may be perceived as strange or taboo, while the reference to cocaine and chewing alludes to the effects of drugs and the potential for addiction. The chorus then emphasizes the idea that England provides a sense of freedom and relaxation, where one can simply be themselves without the pressure to fit in or have a good time.
The second verse shifts to a more sensory description of the South, specifically the jazz culture and the heat. The reference to Angel Heart, a supernatural horror film set in New Orleans, further emphasizes the connection between location and mood. The repetition of the phrase "Are you acting like I wanted you to do" highlights the theme of conformity and the idea that one may feel pressure to adhere to certain expectations, even when they don't align with their true self. The final chorus then reiterates the sense of comfort and liberation that England provides, both when with others and when alone.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't want to be so superstitious
I didn't want to believe in things that have no logical explanation
I didn't want to say that I was wrong
I didn't want to admit my mistakes
But does New Orleans have voodoo
Does the place have deep rooted cultural beliefs and practices that cannot be explained through science or logic, like voodoo in New Orleans?
Does cocaine make you chew
Is it true that consuming cocaine triggers the reflex of grinding one's teeth?
Are you acting like I wanted you to do
Are you behaving in a manner that meets my expectations or desires?
Living in England
Residing in England
I don't have to act like I'm having fun
I don't have to pretend to enjoy myself
Sitting here in the sun
Relaxing under the sunlight
In the jazz land I kept flashing to Angel Heart
While in a place known for its jazz music scene, I kept remembering scenes from the film 'Angel Heart'
In the heat you'll watch the fans go round and round and round
In the sweltering heat, one can admire the slow movement of the ceiling fans as a means of staying cool
In that heart pumping south
In the southern United States, where the culture is rich and vibrant
It knocks my head about
It overwhelms me and causes me to feel disoriented
When I'm out and dreaming
When I am outside and lost in my thoughts
Living in England
Residing in England
I don't have to act like I'm having fun
I don't have to pretend to enjoy myself
Sitting here in the sun
Relaxing under the sunlight
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRAD HEANEY, DAVID GLEESON, GRANT WALMSLEY, PAUL WOSEEN, RICHARD LARA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lonewolf0671
AWESOME..Brings back so many freaking memories of growing up in Australia....Screaming Jets one of Australia's best ever artists.....No Bull Shit Rock n Roll
ROADKILL Official
When the lads were top of their game, LOVE IT! \m/
Twirlyhead
Just about the best punk rock tribute I ever heard from one of my favourite albums. Greetings from England and having fun hearing this.
Stephen Tot
This is heavy AF, it has a Motorhead feel to it
vanessa lang
I remember getting the free tee with the single 🖤🎸🤘🏻FASTER Come ON 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Cooper Ward
It’s a song about being able to just be. The raucous thrashing music probably mirrors the mental strain a rock band would feel. Having to be on all the time. It would be great sometimes yet you would crave a bit of normalcy and to just be.
Rebound Fifty
awesome video
Bob Woods
I remember being there when they filmed this. I think they played it 2 or three times... it went off..
TRISTAN029
I like it a lot
dion clarke
thumbs up