The Sensational Alex Harvey Band was one of the most unconventional British… Read Full Bio ↴The Sensational Alex Harvey Band was one of the most unconventional British bands that were part of the 1970s glam rock era. Fronted by Alex Harvey accompanied by Zal Cleminson on guitar, bassist Chris Glen, keyboard player Hugh McKenna and drummer Ted McKenna, their music veered from progressive rock to experimental jazz, around a core of experimental and avant garde rock, dealing with themes from environmentalism to chinese take away food. While they achieved a critically acclaimed status in the UK, they struggled to make a huge impact in the USA.

Band leader Harvey was born in Glasgow, Scotland 1935. During the fifties he played in many different Jazz bands playing Dixieland Jazz and later skiffle.
In 1959 he formed the Alex Harvey Soul Band playing Blues and rock n Roll music. Although a successful stint in Hamburg completed, Harvey found it difficult finding recognition with the ‘Soul Band’ and through the second half of the sixties Alex with his brother Les Harvey moved from one group to another until 1969 when he took up as a resident musician in the stage show of ‘Hair’.

In 1972 Alex joined forces with Scottish up and coming rockers ‘Tear Gas’. The band with Alex at the helm changed names to “The Sensational Alex Harvey Band”. The Sensational Alex Harvey Shows were noted for their theatrical content and idiosyncratic style of delivery. The music influences varied greatly. From blues to music hall stage shows.
After years of a punishing stage show and never ending Gig schedules, Alex announced in 1977 that due to back problems he was to retire from the music business.

Following a rare come back tour in Europe Alex died of a heart attack in 1982.

In 1977 after the Band and Alex Harvey parted company with Alex recording the solo Album ‘Loch Ness Monster’ (NB: Not a music album, but a recorded documentary about the fabled monster !), while the band without Alex, recorded ‘Four Play’. Alex and the band came together again in 1978 for a final album 'Rock Drill'. The Band and Alex then parted company again. Alex put together a new band in 1979 to record the album ‘The Mafia Stole My Guitar’. In 1983 Alex's final recording ‘Soldier On The Wall’ (comprised mainly of recordings made pre-SAHB), was posthumously issued. The Band having separated and playing in different Bands re-united in 2004 for a final tour with spot. The band released a live recording 'Zalvation'. Through 2006 the band has continued to play live in Britain with some new dates for 2007. 2006 band members are Max Maxwell filling the vocal spot with original members Zal Cleminson; Guitar, Chris Glen; Bass, Hugh McKenna; Keyboards, and Ted McKenna; Drums

Alex Harvey and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band releases include
• 1972 Framed
• 1973 Next
• 1974 The Impossible Dream
• 1975 Tomorrow Belongs To Me
• 1976 Penthouse Tapes
• 1976 SAHB Stories
• 1978 Rock Drill

Alex Harvey Solo Releases include
• 1977 Alex Harvey Presents The Loch Ness Monster
• 1979 The Mafia Stole My Guitar
• 1983 Soldier On The Wall

Sensational Alex Harvey Band (without Alex Harvey) Include
• 1977 Four play
. 1993 Live in Glasgow (Stevie Doherty vocals)
• 2005 Zalvation

School's Out
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on

Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on

In violent times
You shouldn't have to sell your soul
In black and white
They really really ought to know
Those one track minds
That took you for a working boy
Kiss them goodbye
You shouldn't have to jump for joy
You shouldn't have to shout for joy

Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on

They gave you life
And in return you gave them hell
As cold as ice
I hope we live to tell the tale
I hope we live to tell the tale

Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on

Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on

And when you've taken down your guard
If I could change your mind
I'd really love to break your heart
I'd really love to break your heart

Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on

I'm talking to you
Come on

Overall Meaning

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's "School's Out" is a rebellious song that highlights the frustrations of a working-class individual with the status quo. The lyrics of the song admonish the educational system and corporate world, suggesting that it may not be in the best interest of individuals to play by their rules. The song critiques the myopic outlook of the establishment, which takes the common person for granted and tampers with their dreams and aspirations. In the song, the chorus "Shout, shout, let it all out, these are the things I can do without" encourages individuals to raise their voices and speak out against the system.

Furthermore, the lyrics also draw attention to the exploitation of the working-class by the elite, as it portrays the elite as vampiric. The song appears to be advocating for the common individual to take back their power from the establishment and control their lives. The line "And when you've taken down your guard, If I could change your mind, I'd really love to break your heart" suggests that the common man should not be intimidated by the system and should instead make informed choices.

Line by Line Meaning

Shout
Express anger, frustration, and dissatisfaction

Shout
Continue to express anger, frustration, and dissatisfaction

Let it all out
Release all the pent-up anger, frustration, and dissatisfaction

These are the things I can do without
These are the negative things that I don't need in my life

Come on
Encouraging others to participate

I'm talking to you
Directing the message to a specific person or group

In violent times
During periods of unrest and aggression

You shouldn't have to sell your soul
You shouldn't have to compromise your principles or beliefs

In black and white
Clearly and definitively

They really really ought to know
Others should be aware of the situation

Those one track minds
People who have a narrow-minded and rigid way of thinking