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.
Victim
UK Subs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I'm a victim of night
You're a victim of the accident
And I'm a victim of the fight
Well I don't mind being down on the ground
But it hurts to be pushed around
Like a victim
I'm the victim of hate
You're a victim of love
I'm a victim of jealousy
And it's burning me up
Well I don't mind you using me
But I never thought I'd be
Your victim
The UK Subs song "Victim" is a powerful exploration of what it means to be a victim in various contexts. In the first verse, the singer contrasts two different types of victims: those who are victims of the day and those who are victims of the night. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for people who are victimized by different social or cultural systems. The line "You're a victim of the accident/And I'm a victim of the fight" further emphasizes the idea that different people have different experiences of victimization.
The second verse continues this theme, contrasting the singer's experiences of being a victim of hate and jealousy with the other person's experience of being a victim of love. The line "Well I don't mind you using me/But I never thought I'd be/Your victim" reveals that the singer has allowed themselves to be used by the other person, but is now realizing that they have become a victim in the process.
Overall, "Victim" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which people can be victimized in different ways by different systems and situations.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a victim of day
You are someone whose life is controlled by daytime activities and routines.
Well I'm a victim of night
I am someone whose life is controlled by nighttime activities and routines.
You're a victim of the accident
You were involved in an accident that has caused you pain and suffering, and its aftermath still affects you.
And I'm a victim of the fight
I have been involved in a physical altercation, which has caused me injuries and trauma.
Well I don't mind being down on the ground
I am accustomed to experiencing physical adversity, and do not let it bother me too much.
But it hurts to be pushed around
However, it still causes me emotional and physical pain to be bullied or physically assaulted.
I'm the victim of hate
I am the target of malicious, spiteful attacks from other people who harbor hatred or hostility towards me.
You're a victim of love
You are someone who is vulnerable to the emotions and affections of others, and may be easily hurt or manipulated in romantic relationships.
I'm a victim of jealousy
I am someone who feels envious or resentful towards others who seem to have what I want but cannot attain, often leading to toxic behavior or actions.
And it's burning me up
These feelings of jealousy are causing me intense emotional distress and pain.
Well I don't mind you using me
I do not necessarily have a problem with being taken advantage of or used, if I am aware that it is happening and can consent to it.
But I never thought I'd be your victim
However, I did not anticipate being manipulated or used by someone I cared for, and it has caused me hurt and confusion.
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.