The Skids continue to enjoy popularity with two top 20 singles, "Masquerade" and "Working for the Yankee Dollar", from the album "Days in Europa", produced by Bill Nelson. The Cover of the album, showing an "aryan", was seen by some as Nazi, and was soon replaced with a less controversial sleeve. This sleeve, although conventional, still bore the image of the first release seen through the viewers eyes by a picture on the wall, alongside a picture of 'Scared to Dance', the sleeve portrayed a woman , bare breast showing, in the hands of a man.
The Absolute Game was The Skids' 1980 third album (not counting the two different mix versions released of their second album 1979's Days in Europa) and was produced by Mick Glossop. It featured two new band members, Russell Webb (bass guitar, vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion) and Mike Baillie (drums, vocals, percussion).
The album continued the Skids' progression from a punky sound into a more mellow one - paralleled by many bands of the period. The album has a great deal in common with Days in Europa, but not much with its successor, Joy. Around this time the band were driven by internal rifts and disagreements, leading to various members coming and going. Soon after the release and live concert tour of The Absolute Game, Adamson and Baillie left the band. (Although Adamson did temporarily return to play on one more song from the album Joy, called Iona.) Adamson went on to launch the career of his new band, Big Country, and Baillie moved back to Scotland to live. A great deal of Big Country's future sound and style can be heard in this album. In particularly on Hurry On Boys, which features bagpipe simulations and real didgeridoo. Joy has a completely different sound to other Skids albums, and some fans consider The Absolute Game to be the last canonical Skids album.
Soon after the release and live concert tour of The Absolute Game, Adamson and Baillie left the band. (Although Adamson did temporarily return to play on one more song from the album Joy, called Iona.) Adamson went on to launch the career of his new band, Big Country, and Baillie moved back to Scotland to live. It left Jobson and Webb, in 1981, to write and record the band's fourth and final album Joy, which Russell Webb also produced. The pair played multiple instruments on the album, and also invited a collection of seventeen musical friends to perform on various tracks with them. The Skids dissolved in 1982, with the album Fanfare posthumously issued by Virgin. It was a mixture of greatest hits and unreleased tracks.
Jobson and Webb then went onto form a new band called The Armoury Show. The group only recorded one album called Waiting for the Floods in 1985 before splitting up. Jobson went onto pursue a solo career as a poet, songwriter, television presenter and most recently a film director. He released albums on the Belgian record label Les Disques du Crepuscule, and the UK's own Parlophone Records.
Sadly, on December 16 2001, Stuart was found dead in Best Western Plaza Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii, having committed suicide.
In the year 2007, U2 and Greenday covered "The Saints Are Coming" recorded originaly by the skids for the "Scared to Dance" album. Most fans seen this as a juncture to include new fans to the old punk scene.
In 2007 Richard Jobson, William Simpson and Mike Baillie, along with Bruce Watson (guitar/vocals) of Big Country, Jamie Watson (guitar), Brian Jobson (vocals) and Jane Button (vocals), got together to play three gigs. They were to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the group's formation, and as a final tribute to Stuart Adamson, who died in 2001. The shows on 4 July and 5 July were at Dunfermline's Glen Pavilion, where they were supported by Rosyth band The Draymin - outside of which The Skids had previously played only their second gig according to Jobson - and on 7 July, at the T in the Park festival.
Skids returned to the stage on 28 November 2009 as one of the headlining acts in Homecoming Live, a series of gigs held around the SECC complex in Glasgow to celebrate the end of the Year of Homecoming in Scotland. The line-up mirrored the 2007 gigs, with members of The Gospel Truth Choir joining Button on backing vocals for "A Woman in Winter" and "Working for the Yankee Dollar".
The same lineup performed a concert on 5 March 2010 at the ABC in Glasgow, with support from The Law and Bruce & Jamie Watson, and lastly a concert on 6 March 2010 at the Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, with support from Beatnic Prestige and Bruce & Jamie Watson. This final concert was to conclude a week of events celebrating the works, past and present, of Richard Jobson as part of The Fifer Festival 2010 on 6 March 2010.
In 2016 the band reformed and announced a 40th anniversary tour of the UK with their original singer Richard Jobson. In 2018, Skids released their fifth album, Burning Cities.
Both Dunfermline Athletic FC and Charlton Athletic FC use "Into the Valley" as a theme song.
Animation
The Skids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
surviveAnimation caused the hanging fireHow we
hurried to retireDisengage time and the body`s on
its ownFeel the stagnation and this is where we are
thrownLabour saving days are the ones that can`t
reclineLabour saving days are the ones that always
shineAnimation was a hidden sourceAlways
seeking a new mindAnimation was a purifierAlways
join the throngContact stains but the time it feels so
longLeisure loving days are the ones that can`t decideLeisure loving days are the ones that can`t provideAnimation was a lying cloudPretending to surviveAnimation was a solemn heirWithdrawn from the playAnimate time and the game is on its ownPlay at
sustaining and this is where we are thrownAnimating days
are the ones that can`t reclineMake believe days are the
ones that always shineLeisure loving days are the
ones that can`t decideLeisure loving days are the ones
that can`t provideLabour saving days are the ones that
can`t reclineLabour saving days are the ones that always
shine
In the song "Animation" by The Skids, the lyrics depict a society that is obsessed with technology and the idea of progress. The repeated references to animation, both as a symbol of progress and a source of stagnation, suggest that the society has become trapped in a cycle of endless consumption and production. The lines "Animation caused the game to close" and "Animation caused the hanging fire" suggest that technology has created a climate of competition and anxiety, where people are constantly rushing to keep up or stay ahead. The lines "Labour saving days are the ones that can't recline" and "Leisure loving days are the ones that can't decide" suggest that the society values productivity above all else, to the point where people no longer have time for leisure or reflection.
The song also suggests that there is a tension between the idea of progress and the value of human connection. The lines "Rejuvenate time and the bodies join the throng/Contact stains but the time it feels so long" suggest that while technology may bring people together, it also creates distances between them. The lines "Animate time and the game is on its own/Play at sustaining and this is where we are thrown" suggest that the technology has taken on a life of its own, and people are no longer in control.
Overall, the lyrics of "Animation" paint a dystopian picture of a society that has become trapped in a cycle of consumption and production, where technology has become both a source of progress and a source of stagnation. The repeated references to animation highlight the dangers of valuing productivity above all else, and suggest that there is a need for human connection and reflection in order to truly progress.
Line by Line Meaning
Animation caused the game to close
The use of animation ended the game or competition that was taking place
How we hurried to survive
We frantically tried to stay alive or keep up with the competition
Animation caused the hanging fire
The use of animation caused a delay or setback
How we hurried to retire
We quickly tried to withdraw or remove ourselves from the situation
Disengage time and the body`s on its own
When we disconnect from time or our schedule, we are left to our own devices
Feel the stagnation and this is where we are thrown
We become aware of our lack of progress and become stuck in that state
Labour saving days are the ones that can`t recline
Days where we try to save time and energy are often too busy to relax
Labour saving days are the ones that always shine
Days where we are productive and efficient make us feel accomplished and successful
Animation was a hidden source
The use of animation had a subtle but important impact
Always seeking a new mind
The use of animation was always looking for new ideas or ways to innovate
Animation was a purifier
The use of animation helped to clean or purify something
Always starching a new find
The use of animation was always polishing or perfecting a new discovery
Rejuvenate time and the bodies join the throng
When we take time to rejuvenate, we can come back stronger and re-engage with others
Contact stains but the time it feels so long
Difficult interactions can leave a lasting impact that feels like it lasts forever
Leisure loving days are the ones that can`t decide
Days where we prioritize rest and relaxation can lead to indecisiveness
Leisure loving days are the ones that can`t provide
Days where we prioritize rest and relaxation may not lead to a productive outcome
Animation was a lying cloud
The use of animation was misleading or deceptive
Pretending to survive
The use of animation was pretending to be successful or beneficial
Animation was a solemn heir
The use of animation was a serious or significant legacy
Withdrawn from the play
The use of animation removed itself from the competition or game
Animate time and the game is on its own
When we add animation to something, it can take on a life of its own
Play at sustaining and this is where we are thrown
When we play at keeping something going, we may find ourselves stuck in that cycle
Animating days are the ones that can`t recline
Days where we are consumed with animation or movement are often too busy to relax
Make believe days are the ones that always shine
Days where we live in a fantasy or make-believe world can seem more exciting or glamorous than reality
Labour saving days are the ones that can`t recline
Days where we try to save time and energy are often too busy to relax
Labour saving days are the ones that always shine
Days where we are productive and efficient make us feel accomplished and successful
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ADAMSON JOBSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David C
A brilliant band should of been huge. This is my favourite track. Seeing them live next year can't wait.
Frankie Boy
Saw Skids at Newcastle O2 tonight. They opened with Animation - it still sounds great live. I met the band after the gig. Richard Jobson -top bloke. I first saw them at Newcastle City Hall in 1979. Happy days.
Steve Taylor
Stuart Adamson what a guitarist. Rip
colin watt
Seen the Skids a few times recently. Go and see them if you can, they are a real tour de force live
tim brown
Pure unadulterated genius.
Greg Rayner
Soddin awesome... so badly underrated band
vespasianlegx11
great band brilliant guitarist.
vespasianlegx11
Stuart Adamson - In A Big Country stuart was one of my all time favourites.
grumpy
They were huge in the minds of us
TS50ER
F me, The Skids were so underrated!