The Stiffs were a mod / punk / power pop band from late 70s and early 80s. … Read Full Bio ↴The Stiffs were a mod / punk / power pop band from late 70s and early 80s. A name unfamiliar to most, so let me elucidate. Hailing from Blackburn in Lancashire, they started gigging in 1977 although it would be 1980 before they secured a recording contract. A trifle late, as their style (at least initially) was decidedly punk. Like on the opening track Crazy Mixed-Up Emotion from 1981, with a great hookline and chorus. Like any up and coming band, they managed to secure a BBC "John Peel" session, which included the great Hook In Your Heart and Standing Ovation, both again complete with infectious hooks that'll have you humming along like a long-time fan. These sessions are also notable for including BBC producer (and one-time Mott The Hoople drummer) Dale Griffin on drums after their sticksman couldn't make the session. A name change to Idol Rich failed to have the desired effect, despite the strength of the material (such as Stand Up with its decidedly live feel). Ditto the Vicious Rumours, so 1985 saw The Stiffs resurrected once more, here represented with "In Your World" with another trademark singalong chorus and a great guitar hook. It was not to be, and in 1988 they finally called it a day. OK, so The Stiffs never made the big time, but this collection of tracks spanning their career shows that had they had proper record company support first time aroung things may have turned out differently. In the context of this website MTH drummer features on four tracks, but that shouldn't matter. What matters is the music, and if you give this disc a spin you won't be disappointed.
https://discosregresivos.bandcamp.com/album/ag01-the-stiffs-extreemager-7
http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-punk-collection-mw0000068349
http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/the_stiffs
http://www.discogs.com/artist/314585

Inside Out
The Stiffs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're minimalistic
You mess up my head, what's your game?
You're naive, you deceive
You spoil all our plans and it's a shame

You're, you're inside out
You're, you're inside out
You've got your priorities wrong

I don't want to hear about your scandals
And cheap publicity
Oh, why don't you leave the new wave
We don't need your rivalry

Hey, you're, you're inside out
You're, you're inside out
You've got your priorities wrong

I don't want to hear about your scandals
And cheap publicity
Oh, why don't you leave the new wave
You've got your priorities wrong

You're, you're inside out

You're, you're inside out
You've got your priorities wrong

Overall Meaning

The Stiffs' song "Inside Out" is an anthem to those who are fed up with people who can't seem to get their priorities straight. The lyrics target someone who is described as "minimalistic" and who messes up the singer's head. They are characterized as naive and deceiving, spoiling plans and ruining relationships. The chorus repeats "You're inside out" which is a figurative way of saying that this person is not what they appear to be on the surface. They are not genuine and may in fact have different motives behind their behavior. The lyrics suggest that this person needs to reevaluate their priorities and reconsider their actions.

In the second verse, the lyrics become more aggressive. The singer insists that they don't want to hear about the subject's scandals or cheap publicity stunts. They are told to leave the new wave, as they are unwanted and apparently causing problems. The song seems to be expressing the frustration of those who are trying to create something new and positive but are being held back by those who are more interested in self-promotion and negative behavior. It reinforces the idea that one's actions have consequences and that people who are not contributing positively to a situation should not be welcome.

Line by Line Meaning

You're minimalistic
You have a simplistic approach, lacking complexity and extravagance.

You mess up my head, what's your game?
You confuse and frustrate me, what's your intention or motive?

You're naive, you deceive
You are innocent and inexperienced, yet you mislead others.

You spoil all our plans and it's a shame
You ruin our carefully crafted schemes, it's a pity.

You're, you're inside out
You are transparent and exposed, lacking secrecy or mystery.

You've got your priorities wrong
You have incorrect or misguided values, you need to reassess them.

I don't want to hear about your scandals
I have no interest in learning about your misdeeds or controversies.

And cheap publicity
I have no interest in any low-cost or unethical attempts to attract attention.

Oh, why don't you leave the new wave
Why don't you exit the current popular cultural trend or movement?

We don't need your rivalry
We have no use for your competition or conflict.

You've got your priorities wrong
You have incorrect or misguided values, you need to reassess them.

You're, you're inside out
You are transparent and exposed, lacking secrecy or mystery.

You've got your priorities wrong
You have incorrect or misguided values, you need to reassess them.

Writer(s): Hendrix Jimi Marshall

Contributed by Jasmine K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS

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Comments from YouTube:

@user-ym9pt7gk7j

12w↑1

this band is awesome 👌

@supermac1361

2y↑6

Blackburn’s finest!

@robertlockhart5690

1y↑5

What a tune!

@DS-wz8sg

1y↑6

Nice one.

@VincentRE79

2y↑8

A classic Punk/New Wave single.

@ianwhitehead691

11w↑1

Notsensibles where better 💜💙

just now