X-Ray Spex's other distinctive musical element was Poly Styrene's voice, which has been variously described as "effervescently discordant" and "powerful enough to drill holes through sheet metal". As Mari Elliot, Poly had released a reggae single for GTO Records in 1976, "Silly Billy", which had not charted. Born in 1957 in Brixton, London, of Somali-English parentage, Poly Styrene became the group's public face, and remains one of the most memorable front-women to emerge from the punk movement. Poly Sytrene also became one of the first high-profile black people in punk rock. She wore braces on her teeth and once stated that "If anybody tried to make me a sex symbol I would shave my head tomorrow".
X-Ray Spex existed from mid-1976 to 1979, during which time they released five singles - "Oh Bondage, Up Yours", "Identity", "The Day the World Turned Day-Glo", "Germ Free Adolescents", and "Highly Inflammable" - and one album, Germ Free Adolescents. The album and title single reached 30 and 19 in their respective charts, although "Oh Bondage, Up Yours" is regarded as their most enduring artifact, both as a piece of music and as a phrase. The song was not originally on the album, although later CD releases added it as the final track. The group did play a fortnight's residency at New York's CBGB's even though Germ Free Adolescents was not released in America until 1992. Exhausted by touring, Poly Styrene left the band in 1979 to release a solo album, Translucence, before joining the Hare Krishna movement (as did Lora Logic, in a coincidental move, who left the band aged 16 in 1977 to form a new group called Essential Logic).
Without Styrene, the group lost its momentum and split up. Hurding and London went on to form Classix Nouveaux, while Paul Dean retired from musical activities.
In 1991 re-grouped X-Ray Spex played a surprise sell-out gig at the Brixton Academy. Uniquely, this version of the group did not include Poly Styrene, and according to an interview with Lora Logic: "...that was a mistake. They put that together with another singer and I played with them for a tour but you can't really have it without Poly."
The group reformed more successfully in 1995 with a line-up of Styrene, Dean and Logic to release a new album Conscious Consumer. Although heralded as the first in a trilogy, the album was not a commercial success. Styrene later explained that touring and promotional work suffered an abrupt end when she was run over by a fire engine in central London. The group disbanded, but subsequent releases include a compilation of the group's early records, a live album, and an anthology of all the aforementioned.
Jak Airport later worked for the BBC's Corporate and Public Relations department under his real name, Jack Stafford; he died in August 2004.
Discography
Singles
"Oh Bondage, Up Yours", 1977
"The Day The World Turned Day-Glo", 1978 #23 UK
"Identity", 1978 #24 UK
"Germ Free Adolescents", 1978 #19 UK
"Highly Inflammable", 1979 #45 UK
Albums
Germ Free Adolescents, 1978
Conscious Consumer, 1995
Poly Styrene later went on to reform X-Ray Spex with a 30 year anniversary sell-out gig at The Roundhouse, Camden, London September 6th 2008 with original bass player Paul Dean, Jak Airport sadly no longer with us was replaced by Saxby guitarist for Arnold, saxophone was provided by Flash formerly of Rip Rig & Panic and finally drummer Sid (Sidation) Truelove from Rubella Ballet and Flux of Pink Indians, hand picked by Poly for his authentic resemblance to B.P. Hurdings original punk style completing the line up for one of the most long awaited gigs of the last three decades. This performance will be available to buy on DVD and live album in November 2009 on Future Noise Music, for more info go to www.futurenoisemusic.com
Polystyrene sadly lost her battle with cancer and passed away 26/04/11
www.x-rayspex.com// http://www.myspace.com/xrayspexrealofficialpage
X-ray Spex
Art-I-Ficial
X-Ray Spex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I'm artificial
But don't put the blame on me
I was reared with appliances
In a consumer society
When I put on my make-up
That's the way a girl should be
In a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
I want to be Instamatic
I want to be a frozen pea
I wanna be dehydrated
In a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I want to be Instamatic
I want to be a frozen pea
I wanna be dehydrated
In a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
In "Art-I-Ficial," by X-Ray Spex, the lyrics present the idea of the artificiality of existence in modern society. The singer acknowledges that they are artificial, but they reject the blame on themselves. Instead, they blame the consumer society that they were raised in and that perpetuates the notion that women should wear makeup and be pretty. The singer longs to be like the appliances and commodities that are ubiquitous in modern society. They want to be Instamatic, frozen, and dehydrated, all characteristics of the mechanical resources that support their existence.
The repetition of "I am a consumer society" underscores the idea that modern culture is geared towards consumption of goods and services. The singer seems to be questioning the emptiness of such a life and wondering what constitutes a meaningful existence. The use of the phrase "existence elusive" highlights the singer's dilemma about the nature of their being. Overall, the song presents a critique of modern consumer culture and its effects on individuals' sense of identity and worth.
Line by Line Meaning
Art-i-ficial!
Expressing the idea that something is not natural or genuine.
I know I'm artificial
Acknowledging the fact that the singer is not natural or genuine.
But don't put the blame on me
Describing the singer's desire not to be blamed for being artificial.
I was reared with appliances
Explaining that the artist's upbringing involved the use of modern technology.
In a consumer society
Indicating that the artificiality of the artist is a result of living in a society focused on consuming material goods.
When I put on my make-up
Detailing a specific example of the singer's artificiality.
The pretty little mask not me
Stating that the singer's make-up is not an accurate representation of their true self.
That's the way a girl should be
Reflecting the societal expectations of how a girl should look and behave.
I-I am a consumer society
Repeating the central theme that the artist's identity is intertwined with the consumer society they live in.
Existence elusive
Suggesting that the artist's existence is not clear or easily understood.
The kind that is supported
Implying that the singer's existence is only possible because of the support of mechanical resources.
By mechanical resources
Clarifying that it is modern technology that supports the artist's existence.
I want to be Instamatic
Expressing the desire to be a modern, fast version of oneself.
I want to be a frozen pea
Humorously indicating a desire to be a preserved, packaged version of oneself.
I wanna be dehydrated
Suggesting a desire to be reduced to a dry, compressed form for easy shipping or storage.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARIAN JOAN ELLIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sara Lecca
Art-i-ficial!
I know I'm artificial
But don't put the blame on me
I was reared with appliances
In a consumer society
When I put on my make-up
The pretty little mask not me
That's the way a girl should be
In a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
I want to be Instamatic
I want to be a frozen pea
I wanna be dehydrated
In a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I want to be Instamatic
I want to be a frozen pea
I wanna be dehydrated
In a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
Nikumaru Sarutobi
Art i ficial
I know I'm artificial, but don't put the blame on me
I was reared with appliances in a consumer society
When I put on my make-up, the pretty little masks not me
'Cause that's the way a girl should be in a consumer society
In a, in a consumer society, in a, in a consumer society
Existence is elusive, the kind that is supported by mechanical resources
Existence is elusive, the kind that is supported by mechanical resources
I wanna be Instamatic, I wanna be a frozen pea
I wanna be dehydrated in a consumer society
In a, in a consumer society, in a, in a consumer society
Existence is elusive, the kind that is supported by mechanical resources
Existence is elusive, the kind that is supported by mechanical resources
In a, in a consumer society, in a, in a consumer society
I wanna be Instamatic, I wanna be a frozen pea
I wanna be dehydrated in a consumer society
In a, in a consumer society, in a, in a consumer society, in a, in a consumer society
Antony Clayton
This band should have got more recognition they were a musically tight outfit with a charismatic singer and the saxophone just added that something extra which made them stand out from their peers! This is my fave song by them and they did it justice on their old grey whistle test appearance, top stuff
Mick Corbett
She was a force of nature, never, ever to be replicated. Love her forever & ever. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sara Lecca
Art-i-ficial!
I know I'm artificial
But don't put the blame on me
I was reared with appliances
In a consumer society
When I put on my make-up
The pretty little mask not me
That's the way a girl should be
In a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
I want to be Instamatic
I want to be a frozen pea
I wanna be dehydrated
In a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
Existence elusive
The kind that is supported
By mechanical resources
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I want to be Instamatic
I want to be a frozen pea
I wanna be dehydrated
In a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
I-I am a consumer society
Janeese Williams
Why am I just finding this? Poly's voice is pure GOLD!!!! R.I.P.
Elad Bashan
real talk
Justamerebrushhand
What an amazing artist Poly was. And the incredible lyrics from one so young. What a lovely person she was as well. RIP Poly.
ealing456
One of punk rock's best lyricists for sure.
Si Barron
this has got to be a contender for the absolute best song in the world ever, surely
Wren Cormier
Desmond Arlo why did you do that it’s illegal?
Tattyshoes Shigure
Polly was an absolute genius lyricist... X-ray Spex were without doubt one of the greatest punk bands, this classic album an incredible debut!