The Vibrators recorded sessions at for John Peel at BBC Radio 1 in October 1976, June 1977, and February 1978. They were one of the pioneering punk bands that played at London's Roxy Club. They headlined in January 1977, supported by The Drones, and in February they played twice at the venue. In March 1977 the band supported Iggy Pop on his British tour. Later that year they backed ex-Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter.
The band signed to Epic Records in early 1977. Their debut album, Pure Mania was co-produced with Robin Mayhew, the sound engineer for David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust live shows, and reached the Top 50 of the UK Albums Chart. The album is well regarded by some music critics and, 17 years after its release The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music named Pure Mania one of the 50 best punk albums of all time.
Their follow-up album, V2, narrowly missed the UK Top 30. The only single to be taken from that album, "Automatic Lover", was the only Vibrators’ single to reach the UK Top 40 where it reached #35. It earned the band a TV appearance on the prime-time TV show Top of the Pops. The Vibrators’ final single on Epic, "Judy Says (Knock You In The Head)", was released in June 1978. It reached #70 in the UK singles chart. Years later it was included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time.
A lack of further chart activity, and with only one UK Top 40 single to their credit, sees the Vibrators join the list of one-hit wonders; a list that includes other UK punk and new wave acts such as The Banned, John Cooper Clarke, The Flying Lizards, Jilted John, 999, the Radio Stars, and the Rich Kids.
During the 1980s, John Ellis recorded and toured frequently with Peter Hammill, and subsequently The Stranglers, eventually joining the latter full-time in the 1990s. Pat Collier went on to work closely with The Soft Boys, producing their seminal album, Underwater Moonlight, and Robyn Hitchcock, producing and mixing some of his solo albums (to which Knox also sometimes contributed). Despite numerous line-up changes, The Vibrators are still touring to this date as a three-piece, "Knox" and "Eddie" being the only original members.
White Riot
The Vibrators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
White riot - a riot of my own
White riot - I wanna riot
White riot - a riot of my own
Black man gotta lot a problems
But they don't mind throwing a brick
White people go to school
Where they teach you how to be thick
Just what they're told to
An' nobody wants
To go to jail!
White riot - I wanna riot
White riot - a riot of my own
White riot - I wanna riot
White riot - a riot of my own
All the power's in the hands
Of people rich enough to buy it
While we walk the street
Too chicken to even try it
Everybody's doing
Just what they're told to
Nobody wants
To go to jail!
White riot - I wanna riot
White riot - a riot of my own
White riot - I wanna riot
White riot - a riot of my own
Are you taking over
or are you taking orders?
Are you going backwards
Or are you going forwards?
White riot - I wanna riot
White riot - a riot of my own
White riot - I wanna riot
White riot - a riot of my own
The song "White Riot" by The Vibrators is a cover of The Clash's song of the same name, which was originally released in 1977. The lyrics delve into the issues of race and class, particularly in regards to the UK context. The first two stanzas of the song reveal the frustration of the white youth in the UK who feel resentful towards the educational system that does not teach them how to question authority or think critically. Meanwhile, the black community in the UK is shown to be dealing with considerable problems and frustration, leading to their decision to throw bricks in peaceful demonstrations.
The chorus of the song "White Riot - I wanna riot, White riot - a riot of my own" implies the desire for white individuals to break free from the restrictions placed on them by the elite class in the UK, and also to show that they too can stand alongside the black community in their peaceful demonstrations as allies. The song implies a sense of restlessness among the white community to take part in the movement against injustice, rather than continue to be passive bystanders. The last verse of the song highlights the need to break free from the orders being handed down from the elite class, and instead take control of the direction of the movement.
Line by Line Meaning
White riot - I wanna riot
The singer wants to participate in a riot along with their fellow white people.
White riot - a riot of my own
The singer wants to lead their own riot and not be part of someone else's.
Black man gotta lot a problems
The black community faces many struggles and injustices.
But they don't mind throwing a brick
While some may criticize violent means of protest, the black community is willing to use them to fight for their rights.
White people go to school
White people have access to education.
Where they teach you how to be thick
The education system may not necessarily prioritize critical thinking and questioning authority.
An' everybody's doing
Everyone is conforming.
Just what they're told to
Society dictates people's actions and beliefs.
An' nobody wants
No one desires.
To go to jail!
People want to avoid the consequences of challenging authority.
All the power's in the hands
The wealthy elite hold most of the power in society.
Of people rich enough to buy it
Those with wealth can purchase and maintain their control.
While we walk the street
While the masses are out in the streets.
Too chicken to even try it
Many are too afraid to challenge the system and risk punishment.
Are you taking over
Are you assuming control.
or are you taking orders?
Or are you blindly following authority.
Are you going backwards
Are you regressing.
Or are you going forwards?
Or are you progressing forward and fighting for change.
White riot - I wanna riot
The singer, a white person, desires to participate in a riot with other white people.
White riot - a riot of my own
The artist wants to lead their own white riot and not be a follower in someone else's.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind