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
Highly Inflammable
X-Ray Spex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting to explode
Neurotic tensions
Risen overflowed
You thought I was a woman
I thought you were a man
But I was Tinkerbell
Influenced by the fashion pages
Influenced by others' phases
It ain't hip if you are retro
You're a pseudo quasi intellectual
Supreme equality
We used to compete
The right to decide
Is denied to the sheep
You thought I was a woman
I thought you were a man
But I was tinker bell
And you were peter pan
The song "Highly Inflammable" by X-Ray Spex was released in 1978 as part of their first and only studio album titled "Germfree Adolescents". The song starts with a loud and fast-paced instrumental that sets an intense and explosive mood before the vocals kick in. The lyrics are socially and politically charged, criticizing the constant tensions and conflicts that arise in society due to people's differences and the lack of acceptance and understanding.
The first verse talks about how people are like ticking time bombs, constantly waiting to explode from the accumulated tensions and frustrations. The second verse addresses the issue of gender stereotypes and how people are often judged and categorized based on their appearance and assumptions. The lines "You thought I was a woman, I thought you were a man, but I was Tinkerbell and you were Peter Pan" challenge the traditional notions of gender and identity, highlighting the need for more open-mindedness and tolerance in society.
The song's chorus touches on the influence of media and social pressure on people's behavior and attitudes. The lines "Influenced by the fashion pages, influenced by others' phases, it ain't hip if you are retro, you're a pseudo-quasi-intellectual" suggest that people are often more concerned with following trends and fitting into certain groups rather than being true to themselves and their values.
The final verse discusses the concept of equality and how it is often compromised by the power dynamics and control exerted by those in authority. The lines "Supreme equality, we used to compete, the right to decide is denied to the sheep" highlight the struggle for autonomy and self-determination in a society that values conformity and obedience.
Overall, "Highly Inflammable" is a powerful and provocative song that calls for social change and awareness. Its themes of identity, conformity, power, and control are as relevant today as they were over 40 years ago.
Line by Line Meaning
Highly inflammable
Something that is likely to catch fire and burn really quickly
Waiting to explode
A dangerous situation or person that is likely to become violent at any moment
Neurotic tensions
A feeling of anxiety or stress that is incredibly difficult to control
Risen overflowed
Having so much anxiety or stress that it cannot be contained and starts to overflow
You thought I was a woman
Assuming someone's gender based on their appearance or behavior is not always accurate
I thought you were a man
Assuming someone's gender based on their appearance or behavior is not always accurate
But I was Tinkerbell
I am my own person and do not conform to societal expectations or gender norms
And you were peter pan
You are also someone who rejects traditional gender roles and expectations
Influenced by the fashion pages
Being swayed by popular culture and what is deemed 'cool' or fashionable
Influenced by others' phases
Following what other people are doing without really questioning whether it's right for you
It ain't hip if you are retro
Trying to be trendy by copying what was popular in the past is not truly hip or cool
You're a pseudo quasi intellectual
Someone who pretends to be intellectual or smart but is actually lacking in knowledge or substance
Supreme equality
The belief that everyone should be treated fairly and without discrimination
We used to compete
In the past, we used to think it was important to prove ourselves or one-up each other
The right to decide
Having the power and autonomy to make decisions for oneself
Is denied to the sheep
People who blindly follow what others do or say are not able to exercise their own agency and make their own choices
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind