Venom is an English heavy metal band formed in 1978 in Newcastle upon Tyne.… Read Full Bio ↴Venom is an English heavy metal band formed in 1978 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the new wave of British heavy metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell (1981) and Black Metal (1982)—are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general. Venom's second album proved influential enough that its title was used as the name of the extreme metal subgenre of black metal. However, Venom's later discography remained speed/thrash metal, as to not having a single record that has black metal elements.

Venom's original personnel came from three different bands: Guillotine, Oberon and Dwarfstar. The original Guillotine featured Jeffrey Dunn and Dave Rutherford on guitars, Dean Hewitt on bass guitar, Dave Blackman on vocals, and Chris Mercater on drums who replaced Paul Burke, the original drummer when the band was founded. Blackman and Mercater were later also replaced by drummer Anthony Bray and vocalist Clive Archer. Later, Dean Hewitt was replaced by Alan Winston on bass. Around that time a number of personnel changes occurred. Clive Archer, Eric Cook, Tony Bray and Ian Kell formed a band while working at Reyrolles. Ian Kell was replaced in mid-1978. In late 1979, Conrad Lant replaced Dave Rutherford. Lant later switched to bass after the departure of Winston. The band members took on new stage names. Archer became "Jesus Christ", Lant "Cronos", Tony Bray "Abbadon", and Jeff Dunn "Mantas".

Prime influences of the formative band were Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motörhead, and Kiss. Other musicians that have influenced Venom are Deep Purple, Sex Pistols, the Who, the Tubes, Van Halen, the Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley.

'Welcome to Hell' influenced several later bands. Venom's music helped shape the development of many thrash metal bands, specifically the "Big Four of Thrash" (who in turn were highly influential): Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth (Metallica opened for Venom on an early 1980s tour, and Venom opened for Metallica and Slayer on the Ride the Lightning tour, and Slayer played with them and Exodus on the Combat Tour in 1985). Venom would also be of extreme importance to the black metal scene and even the early death metal scene, with numerous bands copying styles, themes, and imagery from the band, such as the Swiss band Hellhammer (later to become Celtic Frost), whom also helped pioneer the genres. Music critic Bradley Torreano wrote that Venom "caught the attention of both metalheads and punks, the band was emulated by the former and turned into camp icons by the latter." Henry Rollins once compared the band to Spinal Tap.

Beggarman
Venom Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rich man poor man beggarman thief
You're like a child with your beliefs
Writer fighter worker of chief
Let everybody down
Give me give me everyday beg
You feel down & banged your head
Junkie lies with a broken leg
You'll never wear a crown

You are the beggarman
Beggarman thief
You are the beggarman

Big man small man comedy clown
You sing & dance sink & drown
Take a step & you fall down
It never is you fault
Lord & master sickening curse
In the back of your own hearse
I really don't know which is worse
A milligram of salt

You are the beggarman
Beggarman thief
You are the beggarman

Rich man poor man beggarman thief
You take the piss, beggarman belief
Poor man beggarman liar & thief
The only life you know
Big man small man hero or clown
You live a life that's grey & brown

Small man beggarman all fall down
Now it's your time to go

Overall Meaning

In Venom's song "Beggarman," the lyrics reflect on the idea that regardless of one's social status or occupation, everyone is basically the same. The song begins with a list of various roles individuals may occupy- rich man, poor man, beggarman, thief, writer, fighter, worker, or chief. However, the lyrics assert that "you let everybody down" and that "you'll never wear a crown"- indicating a sense of disappointment and failure regardless of one's position in life.

The chorus repeats the line "You are the beggarman, beggarman thief," which implies that everyone is some form of a beggar or thief- either lacking something or taking from others. The verses go on to describe various scenarios, such as someone begging every day or a junkie with a broken leg, ultimately asserting that none of these individuals will ever achieve true success.

The song also touches on the idea of taking responsibility for one's actions- the line "It never is your fault" implies that the singer believes many individuals refuse to own up to their mistakes. The verse referencing a "lord and master sickening curse" suggests that the idea of authority is also futile, as even those in power encounter negative consequences. Ultimately, the song suggests that life may be bleak for everyone, regardless of their position or accomplishments.

Line by Line Meaning

Rich man poor man beggarman thief
People from all walks of life

You're like a child with your beliefs
You are naive and foolish

Writer fighter worker of chief
Different roles you've played in life

Let everybody down
You've let people down

Give me give me everyday beg
You're always begging for something

You feel down & banged your head
You're feeling low and defeated

Junkie lies with a broken leg
You've hit rock bottom

You'll never wear a crown
You'll never be successful

You are the beggarman
You are a beggar and a thief

Beggarman thief
You are a beggar and a thief

Big man small man comedy clown
People who try to be funny