After a brief stint as The Resistors, the Luton based UK Decay was formed i… Read Full Bio ↴After a brief stint as The Resistors, the Luton based UK Decay was formed in the winter of 1978. Nearly everyone was named Steve, so they all took on other monikers (Abbo = Steve Abbot). From there they became a well known outfit that has played with many of the original London punk bands, and even having made it to the US thanks to Jello Biafra after the sacking of their bassist in 1980. They got a 16 year old American bass replacement (Jason Creeton from Social Unrest).

They released several singles and an LP on Fresh records, which also carried Play Dead and The Dark. Their last recorded album, "Rising from the Dread" was recorded in 1982 on Corpus Christi, a Crass label. The cassette only release "A Night for Celebration" is their last show in December of 82. The remaining members went on to form Furyo and In Excelsis with members of another dissipated post punk/early goth band, Ritual.

UK Decay were among the first bands to cross over from punk to "gothic," alongside fellow post punk bands like Bauhaus and Theatre of Hate. They galvanized the movement that would later be dubbed "positive punk" (in 1983) and ultimately goth by helping several newer bands, such as Southern Death Cult and Sex Gang Children, get on their feet with gigs.

Their earlier singles are very punk, and the band has appeared on compilations of both punk and gothic music, including "Punk and Disorderly" and Dave Roberts' (of Sex Gang Children) "The Whip" as Slavedrive immeadiattely after UK Decay broke up, and inspired the name (probably) for the english punk rock video compilation "UK/DK" (buy on CDNOW). Aside from Theatre of Hate and Southern Death Cult, UK Decay fit the same bill as bands like The Dark, Crisis (Douglas Peirce and Tony Wakeford of pre Death In June's punk band, also with members of Theatre of Hate), and Warsaw (who would become Joy Division).

Sexual
UK Decay Lyrics

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In confusion
A purpose in life
The choice, the problem
A husband for a wife

Sexual

Silicone's in demand

Curvature et al
Hormones for your tea
Life's so flexible

Sexual
Sexual

Female in command
Temptation leads the fool
The male dilemma
Condemned predictable

Sexual

Oh Mary's in a fluster
Her knickers in the air
She could never understand
How could she ever dare?
To expose her inclinations

Her passionate flair
Expose a la sexual affair

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of UK Decay's song Sexual touch upon human confusion and uncertainty when it comes to matters of sexuality. The lyrics contemplate how we choose our sexual partners, the role of gender dynamics, and how society dictates what's "normal." The song's opening lyrics "In confusion, a purpose in life / The choice, the problem / A husband for a wife" suggest that while we bury ourselves in societal roles and prescribed lifestyles, it is in our nature to pursue sexual gratification, often blindly.

The song's chorus simply repeats the word "Sexual," a word that represents our innate desires and lust. The lyrics "silicone's in demand / curvature et al / hormones for your tea / life's so flexible" show the ways in which humans augment and channel their sexuality, either by cosmetic surgery or hormonal supplements, and how readily sexuality adapts to different lifestyles.

The sexual dichotomy is then presented in the lyrics "Female in command / Temptation leads the fool / The male dilemma / Condemned predictable". The lyrics portray traditional gender roles and suggests how this can lead to a predictable conflict, where the temptation of sex can lead to disharmony in relationships once traditional roles are challenged. The closing lyrics of "Oh Mary's in a fluster / Her knickers in the air / She could never understand / How could she ever dare? / To expose her inclinations / Her passionate flair / Expose a la sexual affair" highlights how challenging traditional gender roles and expressing oneself sexually can be risky and intimidating. These lyrics are an ode to the struggles of sexual liberation and the taboos surrounding exploration and experimentation with sexual identity.

Overall, Sexual is a commentary on how society affects our sexuality and how our sexuality affects society. The song is a reflective exploration of our desires and sexual identity and how we, as individuals, interact with the sexual world.

Line by Line Meaning

In confusion
Feeling unsure about oneself

A purpose in life
A reason for living and existence

The choice, the problem
The dilemma of choosing between options

A husband for a wife
Desire for a traditional marriage

Silicone's in demand
An emphasis on artificial enhancements and beauty standards

Curvature et al
Physical attributes are highly valued

Hormones for your tea
Sex is all around us, even in the things we consume

Life's so flexible
Sexual fluidity and exploration are celebrated

Female in command
Female sexuality and empowerment

Temptation leads the fool
Lack of control over sexual desires

The male dilemma
Men are often stereotyped into specific sexual roles and behaviors