The Varukers are a British hardcore punk band formed in 1979 by vocalist Ra… Read Full Bio ↴The Varukers are a British hardcore punk band formed in 1979 by vocalist Rat. The band originally split in 1988 as the various members went their separate ways. But in 1993, vocalist Rat decided to reform the band. Stylistically, their music resembled the traditional UK82 style exemplified by bands like GBH and The Exploited. Since the band had former members of Discharge, a D-beat sound developed as time went on. The band has gone through many line-up changes over the years with the only constant member being Rat on vocals. They have recently released a retrospective CD on SOS Records.

To this day, they continue to tour rapidly all over the world, even with Rat splitting his time between them and Discharge. They shared a headlining spot with such acts as Broken Bones, The Adicts, Vice Squad and GBH at the ill-fated British Invasion 2k6 concert festival in San Bernardino, California which ended in mass-rioting and alleged police brutality.

They are currently writing new material for a new album to be released in the near future.

Goodtime Girls
The Varukers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Standing on the corner
Waiting for their pay
Standing on the corner
Waiting for a lay

Standing under the red light
See them all around
Stading under the red light

Do anything for a pound

See them on the corner
Waiting for their pay

See the on the corner
Waiting for a lay

Overall Meaning

The Varukers's song "Goodtime Girls" is a dark and gritty portrayal of the lives of sex workers who stand on street corners, waiting for their clients. The opening lines of the song, "Standing on the corner, waiting for their pay," sets the stage for the rest of the lyrics that detail the desperation and degradation that come with selling one's body for money. The use of the phrase "waiting for a lay" is particularly poignant as it highlights the transactional nature of the sex industry, with the sex workers being reduced to mere objects for the pleasure of others.

The second verse of the song further emphasizes the bleak reality of the sex trade, with the reference to "standing under the red light" - a term commonly associated with prostitution zones. The line "do anything for a pound" speaks to the brutal and dangerous nature of their work and the lengths they will go to make money, regardless of the risks involved. The final repetition of the chorus drives home the sad reality of these women's lives, with a seemingly hopeless existence of waiting for money and sex day in and day out.

Overall, "Goodtime Girls" is a poignant and confronting tribute to the vulnerable and exploited women who are forced into a life of prostitution due to factors beyond their control.

Line by Line Meaning

Standing on the corner
Prostitutes standing on the street corner

Waiting for their pay
Waiting for clients to pay for their services

Standing on the corner
Prostitutes standing on the street corner

Waiting for a lay
Waiting for someone to have sex with them

Standing under the red light
Prostitutes standing under the red light of a brothel or other establishment

See them all around
There are many prostitutes in this area

Standing under the red light
Prostitutes standing under the red light of a brothel or other establishment

Do anything for a pound
They are desperate enough to do anything for money, even if it's just one pound

See them on the corner
Prostitutes standing on the street corner

Waiting for their pay
Waiting for clients to pay for their services

See them on the corner
Prostitutes standing on the street corner