The Would-be-goods story begins in 1987 when Jessica Griffin recorded a sin… Read Full Bio ↴The Would-be-goods story begins in 1987 when Jessica Griffin recorded a single under that name for cult label el records. The songs Hanging Gardens of Reigate and Fruit Paradise, were written by Simon Turner and Colin Lloyd Tucker, and recorded by Richard Preston at Strand-on-the-Green Studios, London.
Jessica followed this up with an album of her own songs, The Camera Loves Me, with the Monochrome Set as backing band. The album, recorded in Chiswick, West London and produced by 1960s pop star Keith West, was released on el Records in 1988. Jessica’s sister Miranda contributed to the songwriting and backing vocals.
Jessica then left the music world to work in the City of London until 1993, when she was invited to make another record for the Japanese label Trattoria. Mondo was recorded with the Monochrome Set at Moat Studios, London, and this time was produced by Bid, who also duetted with Jessica on the song ‘Casanova ‘92’.

Later in 1993 Jessica recorded four new songs with el records artist Monty, two of which were written by Jessica and two by Monty. These were included on the cd re-release of The Camera Loves Me.
In the late 1990s Jessica learned the guitar and started writing songs again. She was joined by Peter Momtchiloff (formerly of Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, and Marine Research) on guitar and bass; in 2000 and 2001they recorded 22 songs at Shaw Sound in West London with Orson Presence from the Monochrome Set playing various keyboard instruments. Drums were provided first by Struan Robertson and then by Jim Kimberley. A four-track EP (‘Emmanuelle Béart’) was released on Matinee Recordings of Washington DC (now Santa Barbara) and a three-track 7” single (‘Sugar Mummy’) was released on Fortuna Pop! Records of London.
Early in 2002 the Would-be-goods’ third album, Brief Lives, appeared as a joint release by Matinee, Fortuna Pop, and P-Vine Records of Japan. By this time the Would-be-goods had played their first live shows in London: first with just Jessica on guitar and Peter on bass and guitar, and then with new member Debbie Green on drums and backing vocals. Debbie is a former member of the Headcoatees, the X-Men, and Baby Birkin; she has also played with Peter in the Family Way, Dutronc, and now the Speed of Sound.
Finally in summer 2002 the Would-be-goods’ line-up was completed by the addition of Lupe Nunez-Fernandez on bass and backing vocals. This line-up played several shows in London and visited the East Coast of America in autumn 2002. Late in 2002 they started recording songs for a fourth album, and this was finally completed early in 2004.The Morning After is released in August 2004 on Fortuna Pop! and Matinee.

Trying To Be Bad
Would-Be-Goods Lyrics

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I remember closing my eyes to the plight of our colored brothers and sisters
Thinking that it was all a lie
That the reports of police brutality that I was hearing was something the media falsified
But now I know where the truth lies
I have seen it now with my own eyes
And I think it's time to state my mind
'Lest I see America fall into demise, RO-B. Z.!

How many people have to be at the end of a shot before we realize we need change?
How many families have to be broken apart before we realize it's a rigged game?
How much more fighting do we have to endure?
How many more deaths do we have to ensure
Before we take a stand and demand reform
From the people, our lives to protect, they swore?
Frankly, I've never been at the wrong end of a gun
Or had to run away from the law- thank God for the opportunities he presented me
But when it's one race that they target just because it's their job
They I understand and support the protests that try to break the chains of history!
How many people gon' die because of your ignorance?
How many people gon' die because of your lies?
Just because not every policeman is bigoted
Doesn't mean that the ones who are aren't still inside!
It's like they want to falsify our force to fight
And then divide and take the lives they do not like
And send them straight up to the divine
We will not stand these blatant lies, we will fight
And raise our voice up to the sky to be heard by every girl and guy
And we will gladly die while we try, if it means we will save our brethren's lives
Yeah, this the movement that Martin Luther and Malcom X made to rise
That every race come together to unite
Left and right, this ain't no time to fight
Our plight's too strong to try and bite
'Cause violence ain't the answer- peace is
But without justice, our peace goes to pieces
And you cannot say that in this case, race does not matter

Because, in truth, All Lives Matter only if Black Lives Matter
I'm gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Would-Be-Goods's song "Trying To Be Bad" address the awakening and realization of the songwriter to the systemic racism and police brutality faced by people of color. At the beginning of the song, the singer admits to previously overlooking the plight of their colored brothers and sisters, thinking it was all a lie propagated by the media. However, they have now witnessed the truth firsthand and feel compelled to speak out. The line "I think it's time to state my mind, 'Lest I see America fall into demise" indicates a sense of urgency and responsibility to address the issues at hand.

The next stanza raises important questions about the collective indifference and apathy towards the need for change. The songwriter questions how many people must suffer, families broken apart, and lives lost before society acknowledges the need for reform. The use of words like "rigged game," "endure," and "ensure" suggest a recognition that there is a deliberate system in place that perpetuates inequality and injustice.

The following lines echo the sentiment that the songwriter has not personally experienced the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities. However, the realization dawns upon them that when one race is consistently targeted by those in power, it becomes imperative to support the protests that aim to dismantle the chains of history. The songwriter highlights the danger of remaining ignorant or complicit in the face of bigotry and lies, emphasizing the urgency to stand against such injustices.

The closing lines draw parallels between the civil rights movements led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, and the current call for unity and justice. The songwriter emphasizes that while peace should be the ultimate goal, justice must be achieved first. The line "All Lives Matter only if Black Lives Matter" addresses the controversy surrounding the "All Lives Matter" response to the Black Lives Matter movement, reiterating the importance of acknowledging and addressing the specific issues faced by the Black community. The song concludes with a determination to fight for change, even if it means sacrificing their own lives.

Overall, "Trying To Be Bad" explores the awakening and transformation of the songwriter's views on racial inequality and police brutality. It encourages listeners to confront their own biases, question the status quo, and actively work towards a more just and equal society.

Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Robert Zaitsev

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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