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.
On My Way
UK Subs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And this is what you get
This is not a cabaret
And no nostalgia trip
Drinking, stinking
Trip to the bone
I’m ugly, obnoxious? And defenseless?
I’m on my way - goodbye
You get up there, a beer in your hand? and you can hardly stand
And now you’re all saucy
And you don’t give a fuck
Now this is the irony, that you don’t understand
I’m on my way - just one thing to say
I’m on my way - goodbye
Yes I’m on my way - one thing left to say
I’m on my way - goodbye
UK Subs's song "On My Way" is a punk rock anthem that expresses the singer's sense of recklessness as he makes his way through the night. The lyrics suggest a disdain for conventional culture, with lines like "This is not a cabaret/And no nostalgia trip" and "Drinking, stinking/Trip to the bone". It is a defiant and angry song, with the singer expressing his disconnection from mainstream society and his desire to live on the fringes of society.
The chorus of "I'm on my way" is a statement of intent, a declaration that the singer is determined to live life on his own terms. The repetition of this phrase suggests that the singer is unwavering in his commitment to living a rebellious lifestyle. The final line "goodbye" suggests that the singer is prepared to leave behind anything that is holding him back and to move forward with his life.
The song also touches on the theme of alcohol consumption and its effects on behavior. The lyrics describe how one can become "saucy" and lose their inhibitions when drinking, leading to a sense of power and recklessness. However, the song's message is not necessarily pro-alcohol, as the singer recognizes the irony of this behavior and suggests that it can be self-destructive.
Overall, "On My Way" is a powerful anthem of rebellion and defiance, with a pounding beat and aggressive guitar riffs that reinforce the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
This is what you wanna
The situation that you currently find yourself in is one that you have desired and sought after.
And this is what you get
The outcome of your desires and efforts has materialized as expected.
This is not a cabaret
The environment or situation you're in is not meant for light-hearted entertainment.
And no nostalgia trip
The current situation is not intended to evoke feelings of past experiences.
Drinking, stinking
Intoxication and unpleasant body odor are prevalent in this situation.
Trip to the bone
The intensity of the situation is overwhelming and consuming.
I’m ugly, obnoxious? And defenseless?
The person speaking recognizes that they may not be deemed attractive or charming, and may also be vulnerable in the current environment.
I’m on my way - one thing left to say
The artist is leaving the current situation, with only one final statement left to make.
You get up there, a beer in your hand? and you can hardly stand
The person being addressed is becoming increasingly inebriated and unsteady on their feet.
And now you’re all saucy
The addressee has become overly bold and brazen in their behavior.
And you don’t give a fuck
The addressee is indifferent and apathetic to the consequences of their actions.
Now this is the irony, that you don’t understand
The artist finds the addressee's behavior to be ironic, though the addressee is oblivious to this fact.
I’m on my way - just one thing to say
The singer is reiterating their departure, with only one closing message.
I’m on my way - goodbye
The singer is leaving the current situation and saying farewell.
Yes I’m on my way - one thing left to say
The singer confirms their departure and states that they still have one final message to convey.
Writer(s): Christian Jouni Tony Maatta, Marten Cedegran, Thomas Falk, Richard Andersson, Marten Cedergran Copyright: Songs And Stories Publishing
Contributed by Stella C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Larz Gustafsson
Fabulous band!
diego hosen
Charlie Harper FOR EVER!
JustaScotsman
@siempremotooo Cheers, its been a few years since i saw the subs play so lookin forward to it. They are playing with Anti-nowhere league and Motorhead so its gonna be crazy.!! hope they make it to south america for you guys soon.
John Wetherill
this is absolutely brilliant ,why is there no other comments ? no one got any taste in music nowadays ?
JustaScotsman
cant wait to see charlie and the lads on Nov 5th in glasgow..!!
siempremotooo
@85PINHEAD no no no es punk rock de uno de los mas grandes rockers en la historia de la musica.
siempremotooo
Todo pasa de moda los uk subs no
siempremotooo
@85PINHEAD no no no es pun rock de uno de los mas grandes rockers en la historia de la musica.
Kornél Hüfner
Örökre a kedvencem marad !!
TheTCBandage
2:05 Charlie Nicky Alvin Jason the Final Riot tour.