Early success was found with singles such as "Warhead", "I Live in a Car", and "Tomorrow's Girls", with several of their songs managing to enter the United Kingdom's Top Forty. Their biggest selling album came with 1980's Crash Course.
With the arrival of new bassist Alvin Gibbs and drummer Steve Roberts in the early 1980s, the songs took on a heavier sound, faster, better quality. But always the punk views. The band has continued to perform, being one of the last surviving bands of Britain's punk era. They have toured constantly over the years.
Now in 2015, with the addiition of Jet on guitar and Jamie Oliver on drums, UK Subs have just released their 25th studio album 'Yellow Leader' to a crescendo of critical acclaim, bringing the band to the final step in their 40 year old mission - to record and release every official album in alphabetical order from A to Z.
Endangered Species
UK Subs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it just religious habit?
What makes you die like flies?
Have you ever stopped to reason why?
Human life is cheaper now
It's time they killed that sacred cow
Taught to fear before the altar
We are the endangered species
We can blow ourselves to pieces
We are the endangered species
We cona blow ourselves to pieces
You bury your head in the sand
You never try to understand
Why so much greed and corruption
March with the armies of occupation?
The UK Subs' song "Endangered Species" reflects the band's concern about the state of humanity, highlighting how people are destroying their lives and the planet. The first two lines of the lyrics indicate that people are breeding like rabbits, which is a reference to the overpopulation crisis. The following lines question if this is due to religious pressure on individuals. Next, we hear the lines "what makes you die like flies? Have you ever stopped to reason why?" This is a questioning of the way that people are living their lives, without considering the consequences of their actions.
The second stanza opens with the line: "Human life is cheaper now" which may suggest the idea that people's lives are undervalued now more than ever. Continuing, the lyrics mention it is time to kill the "sacred cow", which is a term that refers to an idea that is too basic or precious to receive criticism. In this case, it appears that it is time to challenge very fundamental ideas that have become normalized in culture. The lyrics also mention a belief that people are being taught to follow blindly, leading to their demise. Finally, the chorus highlights the fragility of humanity in a world that is grappling with the threat of our self-destruction.
Overall, the dire tone of UK Subs' "Endangered Species" is a call-to-action for people to stop and think about how they are living on this planet. The song encourages listeners to question authority and take responsibility for their actions, in the hope of building a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
What makes you breed like rabbits?
Why do humans reproduce so rapidly, is this behavior simply driven by religious or cultural traditions?
Is it just religious habit?
Is there a deeper reason for the rapid reproduction of humans, or is it simply a practice reinforced by religious customs?
What makes you die like flies?
Why do humans perish so easily and in such large numbers?
Have you ever stopped to reason why?
Have humans ever taken the time to thoughtfully consider why they suffer and perish so frequently?
Human life is cheaper now
Human life is viewed with less value and more disposability now.
It's time they killed that sacred cow
It is time society stops unquestioningly accepting old notions that are no longer adequate or viable for the present day.
Taught to fear before the altar
Society is taught to unquestioningly obey religious commands and doctrines due to fear.
Led like a lamb to the slaughter
Society blindly follows outdated traditions without stopping to think of the consequences or repercussions.
We are the endangered species
Humans, due to their self-destructive behavior, are placing themselves in imminent danger.
We can blow ourselves to pieces
Humans have the destructive capabilities to annihilate themselves and their environment.
You bury your head in the sand
People tend to ignore or avoid the issues that affect them directly.
You never try to understand
People refuse to understand or address the causes of their problems or issues.
Why so much greed and corruption
What is the underlying reason for the overwhelming human desire to accumulate wealth at the expense of others?
March with the armies of occupation?
Why align oneself with oppressive forces and participate in military conquests that cause destruction and devastation?
Contributed by Aubrey W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
opa loka records
Big sound -- produced by Nicky Garrat. The UK Subs at their very best!
charles sharbutt
One of if not the most powerful rock songs ever written and the bass lines are the best prettiest I’ve ever heard he’s like a punk Jack Bruce this song is perfect...
Bruce Dunkle
Alvin Gibbs on bass. He and Steve Roberts were a great rhythm section. The "Shake Up The City" EP is a potent reminder of just how tough this line-up was.
Alan Knotts
Shake Up the City is classic hardcore punk
helveteguy
This kicks ass so deep i can feel it in my spine!
Patrick Fitzgerald
Great sound on this album. Steve Robert's drum monster!
Bruce Dunkle
He and Alvin Gibbs were a great rhythm section.
Stu Russell
I agree totally! I've been lucky enough to jam with Stevie when he was doing songs for his solo venture "Stevie Ze Suicide". Boy, can he him those drums!
Jonny Zchivago
@Stu Russell you're not thee patrik fitzgerald are you?
Michael Schmidt
UK SUBS, haben mich von der Jugend bis heut begleitet. Great Sound. Best Punk Rock