A showcase of the lyrics that G. W. Sok wrote during the three decades that he was with the band The Ex, this musical compendium features more than 250 pieces: a mixture of lyrics, poetry, and political ranting. The Ex is an internationally acclaimed Dutch group that blurred the lines between indie, punk, and underground music. Fans of this influential band will gain insight into the meaning behind their provocative songs and find inspiration in these outspoken and thought-provoking words. An introduction by Sok that describes the process of writing lyrics and his development as a writer is also included.
A showcase of the lyrics that G. W. Sok wrote during the three decades that he was with the band The Ex, this musical compendium features more than 250 pieces: a mixture of lyrics, poetry, and political ranting. The Ex is an internationally acclaimed Dutch group that blurred the lines between indie, punk, and underground music. Fans of this influential band will gain insight into the meaning behind their provocative songs and find inspiration in these outspoken and thought-provoking words. An introduction by Sok that describes the process of writing lyrics and his development as a writer is also included.
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Overview
A showcase of the lyrics that G. W. Sok wrote during the three decades that he was with the band The Ex, this musical compendium features more than 250 pieces: a mixture of lyrics, poetry, and political ranting. The Ex is an internationally acclaimed Dutch group that blurred the lines between indie, punk, and underground music. Fans of this influential band will gain insight into the meaning behind their provocative songs and find inspiration in these outspoken and thought-provoking words. An introduction by Sok that describes the process of writing lyrics and his development as a writer is also included.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781604864991 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | PM Press |
| Publication date: | 09/01/2011 |
| Pages: | 384 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.30(w) x 7.40(h) x 1.30(d) |
About the Author
G. W. Sok is the cofounder of the music group The Ex and was their vocalist and lyricist from 1979 to 2009. Together the group played close to 1,400 concerts and released 25 albums. John Robb is a musician and the author of Death to Trad Rock, The Nineties, The North Will Rise Again, and Punk Rock: An Oral History.
Read an Excerpt
A Mix of Bricks & Valentines
Lyrics 1979-2009
By G.W. Sok
PM Press
Copyright © 2011 G.W. SokAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-60486-616-2
CHAPTER 1
1979–1983
Victims
You
a knife
cuts
you're killing me
what did I do?
Me
a knife
cuts
I killed your love
love's killing you
Now I'm split
a split identity
can't you take another victim
you're killing me
What
will
love do?
I kill love
love kills you
Now you're split
a split person too
can't you take another victim
you're killing you
What
did
love do?
I killed love
love killed you
Curtains
Crawling over the pavement
get in the room like a thief
step back behind a curtain
her lover is ready to leave
He looks so attractive
don't want to lose
if you got the choice then
you won't let her choose
Pistol points to the other
your hand seems so certain
few shots decide in the dark
for the lover it's curtains
Girl stumbles in
dressed with a gun
scared and surprised
no way left to run
You look to each other
don't know what to do
both seem so uncertain
You're having your arms
few shots decide in the dark
it's finally curtains
Fück Elise
I wanna wanna wanna fück Elise, fück Elise, fück Elise
I wanna wanna wanna fück Elise, fück Elise, fück Elise
I wanna wanna wanna fück Elise, fück Elise, fück Elise
I wanna wanna wanna fück Elise, fück Elise, fück Elise
I wanna wanna wanna-wanna, wanna wanna wanna-wanna wanna wanna wanna-wanna, wanna wanna
wanna-wanna wanna wanna wanna-wanna, wanna wanna wanna-wanna wanna wanna wanna-wanna,
wanna wanna wanna-wanna wanna wanna wanna fück Elise, fück Elise, fück Elise
I wanna wanna wanna fück Elise, fück Elise, fück Elise
Stupid Americans
Yankees, don't tell me
I've seen them on TV
in the cops and robbers serials
seven days a week
yankees, who wants them
I hate them one for all
the only place I like them
is up against the wall
Stupid Americans
think they are so big
stupid Americans
think with their prick
stupid Americans
are walking in the way
stupid Americans
see Holland in a day
Stupid caddish wankers
living in a dream
I don't like their way of life
you know what I mean
self-complacent idiots
I don't understand
how they let evolution
get so much out of hand
Everything they say and do
is getting on my nerves
they think they are smart enough
to rule the western world
white wogs, fucking shit
I hate them one for all
the only place I like them
is up against the wall
Stupid Americans
think with their prick
stupid Americans
really make me sick
stupid Americans
are walking in the way
stupid Americans,
fuck off, man ... okay!
Cliché~Feeling, No. 3
Although I don't love you
I do wanna be with you
I wanna pose with you
take a dose of you
and I try to be nice to you
so my mind talks
but my lips just smile
they don't make a sound
and my mouth keeps searching
for the courage to speak,
to spew out all the clichés
that I don't wanna say
Everybody says about romance
take a chance if you want romance
but I need a chance to escape romance
give me a break to escape romance
so what can I do, what can I do?
I like you and I don't like you
but the stupid sky is blue
it's just too blue
I need a chance, need a chance
I need a chance, need a chance
I need a chance
to
escape
romance
Money
Money money money
it's so funny
but we don't talk anymore
Human Car
They use my energy
they use my frame
they make me feel like
a toy in their game
I'm a human car
I'm a human car
I'm overloaded, I'm pushed too far
I'm a human car
They tell me where to go
they tell what to do
they don't care about my engine
when I'm old they buy a new
They are your teacher
they are your boss
they are society
society's the cause
I'm a human car
I'm a human car
I'm overloaded, I'm pushed too far
I'm a human car
People drive me
people drive me
drive me, drive me, drive me, drive me
crazy
Cells
When they knock on my door
and ask me what I hide inside
I just smile and tell them a tale
I won't tell the truth about lies
Why should I tell the truth
when everybody else is lying
my revolution will be secretly done
it keeps me away from dying
I don't wanna die in their fucking cells
in their law and order trap
I do not wanna get pushed too far
and I won't do any step back
Apathy Disease
We were supposed to fight
to kick out love and peace
to change our situation
this apathy disease
I don't wanna dream
when nazis are my neighbours
I don't wanna dream
when the nukes are in favour
Apathy disease, apathy disease
we don't need no love and peace
apathy disease, apathy disease
we don't wanna fight for love and peace
Clockwork
Clockwork beats like
a watch
like my watch
Clockwork sounds like
a watch
not my watch
Sounds like a heart
sounds like a drum
sounds like ...
sounds like ...
Need a new start
can't beat this drum
Clockwork shows my
emotion
it's a motion
Clockwork, my watch
watch my
emotion
sounds like a heart
sounds like a drum
sounds like ...
sounds like ...
Need a new start
can't beat this drum
Live in Dallas
The perfect place for a final performance
Dallas USA starring JFK
millions of people could see him die
a perfect hit for the television eye
Joe died early in an airplane crash
Robert had to wait till '68
young Ted has not succeeded yet
he tried, but he just broke his neck
The public feel sorry for the Kennedy-clan
but they don't care, it's part of the plan
they just try to survive, don't you see
they're dying for immortality
John is loved
now he's dead
and so are his brothers
at least not yet
but we'll all love Ted
when he is dead
so it's time for a solo
it's your turn, Ted
Maybe this job is killing you, Ted
but the Kennedys will never die
this family name can get you far
to Dallas, for instance, in a great black car
Pavlov's Punks
We're in the middle of a new punk boom
spit and shout at the sound of the bell
be tough and smash the toilets
you're a winner, toilets won't fight back
Buy the record, wear the gear
do the pose, see the band
you're trapped in another fashion
you're in another accepted trend
You have already made up your minds
faced with something you think you don't like
no questions asked, just spit at the target
'cause that's what punks are supposed to do
aren't they
We thought that punk meant something else
meant rebellion, gave the dispossessed a voice
we thought that punk meant constant change
no rules no heroes, no reactionary wave
Walk in line and fight each other
do what people expect you to do
respect depends on the times you're pissed
we're in the middle of a new junk boom
Fascism Grows
Red, black, white skins
men fight, lose, win
it's not a flirt
it's not a fashion
it's no exception but
it seems though as if it is
to get beaten up by people
that don't endorse your view
There's no way to hide
there's nowhere to go
whatever you say or do
they won't let you go
are these human abilities
determined by race
to spit on certain people
because of their face?
Fascism grows
fascism grows
red, black, white skins
men fight, always losing
fascism grows
People get beaten up
because of their being there
provoked hostility
by a growing minority
in every nation
there is discrimination
of people with different cultures
such is a foolish behaviour
But there's no way to hide
there's nowhere to go
whatever you say or do
they won't let you go
fascism grows
it's getting out of hand
now is the time to show
where you stand
Fascism grows
fascism grows
you can't deny it
so don't try to hide it
wake up and fight it
open your eyes:
fascism grows
fascism grows
Introduction
Why don't you join the new journalism
you just have to write some words down
why don't you join the new journalism
you just have to write some words down
You don't have to use your eyes
you don't have to use your ears
you don't have to use your brains
you don't need no information
just use your own prepossessed opinions
about how music must sound
how a song must be played
how to act on a stage
just wait for technique
just wait for perfection
you don't have to use your brains
you just can write some words down
for making money is the name
the name
of your game,
what a rip-off
Punk
So you're the punk with the safety-pin
bigger for your friends than you've ever been
anarchy-symbols on your leather-jacket
but in your mind you just crack it
You just wanna smash things up
you think that's punk but in fact it's not
you're doing the pogo to have some fun
but when the music's over that's all you've done
Wasn't punk unite and fight
wasn't punk think and bite
follow no one, lead yourself
wasn't punk: be yourself
So you're the punk with the safety-pin
coloured hair, your mind grey and dim
so you're the punk with the safety-pin
I hope it'll pin you awake one day
Horse
Suckers in the benches
ride the horse of religion
consume his word
to get stoned with permission
Visiting churches
they need to score
the priest is a dealer
so they'll ask for more
They look up to the sky
trying to get high
don't tell me 'bout the pope
I don't need his fucking dope
Don't close your eyes for reality
don't close your eyes for reality
don't close your eyes for reality
open your eyes for reality
The Sky Is Blue Again
Funny feeling coming back again
as I saw you window-shopping standing in the rain
a red coat you wore, it covered your face
but your eyes said to me: come on up to my place
It seems that love's for sale, well, at least sometimes
I know that's not romantic but so what, it rhymes
we took off our coats down at your place
and as I cleaned my glasses I didn't see your face
Under the sheets you turned your face to me
and I saw the ugliest girl I did ever see
so I wondered what will I do now
will I stay or better take a cow?
I know you're not a beauty but you're really kind you
got lots of charms so I made up my mind
I threw away my glasses and decided to stay
for love is blind, let's keep it that way
Map
Once upon a time in the west
they turned the map upside down
once upon a time in the east
they turned the map upside down
West is west
east is east
west is west
east is east
Again
Outlook~Army
Beware of these kids
with faces like masks
full of empty minds
in their fashion-parade
Whatever they do
their masks stay the same
whatever's gonna happen
just their clothes will change
They're with very many
they're the outlook-army
fashions blitz their egos
they're blinded for life
Look at their clothes
look at their hair
they're all the same
I need fresh air
A Sense of Tumour
I got a tumour
in my brain
it's growing very fast
I want my health again
A tumour grows in your brain, what do you mean?
and how come, if it's so, what did you do?
anyway it doesn't matter, do not complain
no one is perfect but at least you still got brains
We all know prosperity has its price
concessions must be made to magnify its size
but we got the power to control machines
we wouldn't take a risk to endanger human beings
I got a tumour still
it lives on brains
thanks to your factory
it makes me sick
Our factory makes you sick, what do you mean?
and how come, if it's so, what did you do?
anyway it doesn't matter, do not complain
there's no danger for your health and neither for your brains
For we take all measures we can take
and if not, we'll wipe out that mistake
our investigations show rumours are just lies
so shut up to sing that song of smog gets in your eyes
Who wants my tumour?
I got enough of it
it is free
thanks to our welfare-state
Who wants my tumour?
it eats my brains
I took some aspirin
but nothing changed
We don't wanna hear no more about disease-germs
stop this nonsense or we'll never come to terms
don't forget we give employment to a lot of men
if we'd change our attitude, what would happen then?
We would never work here if we'd risk our health
don't you realize we add to mankind's wealth?
and time is money, so stop with your complaints
we produce the medicine to cure your tumoured brains
Sucking Pig
So you choose to serve your nation
to wear black boots and a uniform
to crawl in a stream of humility
to be hold in check, put under chloroform
Sucking pig
not for us
sucking pig
we got sus
Never question the orders you're given
execute what you are told to do
limit your view with blind ambition
never question nothing and you'll get through
So you chose to join the force
now you say I can rely on justice
but I don't trust you for what I see
blood on your truncheon and you're not disgusted
Sucking pig loves control
Rules
The stretching paw of laws
is a scratching claw of rules
Twisting between good and bad
protected by right-wing fools
The face of justice is but a mask
controlling our lives it makes me laugh
Exploit your own identity create a free society
Don't waste time by following fools do it yourself, ignore their rules
Meanwhile
Meanwhile
in the back of the car
she says:
don't go too far
let's go
or we'll be home late
he says:
fuck you, you're my date
Mum and dad are waiting for their girl to come home
they're happy that she's not out on her own
they've heard about things that sometimes occur
but she's with a boyfriend who'll look after her
They're so haphaphaphaphaphaphappy with that
Meanwhile
in the back of the car
she says:
don't go too far
let's go
or we'll be home late
he says:
fuck you, you're my date
Mum and dad are waiting for their girl to come home
they're happy that she's not out on her own
they've heard about things that sometimes occur
but she's with a boyfriend who'll look after her
He's so haphaphaphaphaphaphappy with that
Meanwhile
in the back of the car
she says:
don't go too far
let's go
or we'll be home late
he says:
fuck you, you're my date
Mum and dad are waiting for their girl to come home
they're happy that she's not out on her own
they've heard about things that sometimes occur
but she's with a boyfriend who'll look after her
She's not haphaphaphaphaphaphappy with that
Squat Song
Housing shortage caused by rack-rent
violation of human rights
legal protection of speculation
so the right to live means:
squat a home
(Continues...)
Excerpted from A Mix of Bricks & Valentines by G.W. Sok. Copyright © 2011 G.W. Sok. Excerpted by permission of PM Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
Foreword (by John Robb),Introduction (by G.W. Sok),
Acknowledgements,
Lyrics 1979–1983,
Lyrics 1984–1989,
Lyrics 1990–1995,
Lyrics 1996–2002,
Lyrics 2003–2009,
Six Dutch Songs Translated into English,
The Song Titles (in Chronological Order),
The Song Titles (in Alphabetical Order),
Discography & Other Stuff,