Frontman Raymond "Raybeez" Barbieri was the band's only consistent member through the vast majority of its years. He joined the band as the drummer in 1983 (the same year he played drums on the debut Agnostic Front 7" EP United Blood), later taking over vocal duties after Warzone had already been in existence for two years (noting later, "in a band that [had] been running for so long, there has to be something there"). Raybeez remained the singer of Warzone until his death on September 11, 1997 due to pneumonia. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was receiving treatment in a VHA facility when the illness damaged his liver and took his life at the age of 35. A tribute sign reading "R.I.P Ray" hung outside CBGB for some time following his death, and for more than a year afterward, every release on Victory Records was dedicated to his memory, as were two independent compilations. These albums, as well as benefit concerts, raised funds for several non-profit groups Ray had worked for which helped at-risk youth."
We're the Crew
Warzone Lyrics
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Way back when
You've changed your ways since then
You got new friends
Don't need me anymore
Your new friends won't take your back
When your head's to the floor
Kids with strong hearts and minds of their own
Maybe it's better you're not part of your crew
Cause we don't need no more mindless negative fools like you
We're the crew
You say you're an individual
You're really just a fool
You've turned your back on the crew
Someone's going down
It ain't me - it's you
You've got your nose in the air
Your mind is to the ground
You're searching for something
The way you're doing it - it can't be found
We're the crew
You'll never know - all our pain
We're the Crew - New York City
We're the Crew - Skinheads
We're the Crew - No Obsession
We're the Crew - Straight Ahead
We're the Crew - Positive Thinking
We're the Crew - All Together
We're the Crew - Can't You See
We're the Crew - We Are Back
We're The Crew
The song We're the Crew by Warzone talks about the importance of friendship and loyalty in the face of changing times. The lyrics suggest that a previously close friend has abandoned the band and joined a new crowd, and while the new friends may seem attractive, they are not reliable when things get tough. The new crew seems strong, but perhaps the singer feels that they lack the same devotion and dedication as the old group. Despite the individualism that the former friend claims to possess, they have become a mindless negative individual that the singer dismisses as a fool. In contrast, the singer and their group are dedicated to staying positive and staying together as a crew.
The song is characterized by its pounding rhythm and the vocal style of lead singer Raybeez. The message that Warzone conveys is one designed to inspire pride in the skinhead subculture of the time, although the band also drew inspiration from the punk and hardcore scenes. The song was written by Tom Capone and Raymond "Raybeez" Barbieri, and it appeared on their 1988 debut album Don't Forget the Struggle, Don't Forget the Streets.
Line by Line Meaning
Thought it was cool to hang out
In the past, you used to enjoy hanging out with us and being part of our crew.
Way back when
This refers to a time in the past when you were still part of our crew.
You've changed your ways since then
Now, you have changed your behavior and no longer want to be part of our crew.
You got new friends
You have found a new group of friends who are not part of our crew.
Don't need me anymore
You no longer think that it is important to be friends with us or be part of our crew.
Your new friends won't take your back
Your new friends won't support you or have your back when things get tough.
When your head's to the floor
When you are going through a difficult time or feeling down.
The new crew is stronger than ever before
Our new crew is even stronger and more united than before.
Kids with strong hearts and minds of their own
Our new crew is made up of young people who have their own strong values and beliefs.
Maybe it's better you're not part of your crew
Perhaps it is for the best that you are no longer part of our crew, because we don't need people who are negative and don't share our values.
Cause we don't need no more mindless negative fools like you
We don't want or need people in our crew who are negative and don't have strong values or beliefs.
You say you're an individual
You claim that you are unique or different from others.
You're really just a fool
In reality, you are not unique or different, and your behavior is foolish.
You've turned your back on the crew
You have abandoned us and no longer want to be part of our crew.
Someone's going down
Someone is going to suffer or fail.
It ain't me - it's you
You are the one who is going to suffer or fail, not me.
You've got your nose in the air
You are arrogant and think that you are better than others.
Your mind is to the ground
You are not focused on what is happening around you or on the bigger picture.
You're searching for something
You are looking for something that you feel is missing in your life.
The way you're doing it - it can't be found
The way you are going about searching for what you are missing is not effective or productive.
We're the Crew
We are a group of people who are united and share common values and beliefs.
You'll never know - all our pain
You will never understand the struggles and pain that our crew has gone through.
We're the Crew - New York City
Our crew is based in New York City.
We're the Crew - Skinheads
Our crew includes skinheads.
We're the Crew - No Obsession
Our crew is not obsessed with any particular ideology or belief system.
We're the Crew - Straight Ahead
Our crew is focused on moving forward and making progress.
We're the Crew - Positive Thinking
Our crew believes in the power of positive thinking and optimism.
We're the Crew - All Together
Our crew is united and works together as a team.
We're the Crew - Can't You See
We want everyone to see that we are a strong and positive group of people.
We're the Crew - We Are Back
Our crew has returned and is stronger than ever before.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JASON LEHRHOFF, RAYMOND JAMES BARBIERI, TODD JUSTIN HAMILTON, VINCENT DOMINIC VERGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind