Song lyrics about Brixton/Lambeth

[electrogirl]

FUCKERY! by Amy Winehouse

fuckery

 

[lunatrick]

5 nights of bleeding - LKJ

Madness, madness
Madness tight on the heads of the rebels
The bitterness erup's like a heart blas'
Broke glass, ritual of blood an' a-burnin'
Served by a cruelin' fighting
5 nights of horror and of bleeding
Broke glass, cold blades as sharp as the eyes of hate
And the stabbin', it's
War amongs' the rebels
Madness, madness, war

Night number one was in Brixton
Sofrano B sound system
'im was a-beatin' up the riddim with a fire
'im comin' down his reggae reggae wire
It was a sound checkin' down your spinal column
A bad music tearin' up your flesh
An' the rebels dem start a fighting
De youth dem just tun wild, it's
War amongs' the rebels
Madness, madness, war

Night number two down at Sheppard's
Right up Railton road
It was a night name friday when ev'ryone was high on brew or drew
A pound or two worth of Kali
Sound comin' down of the king's music iron
The riddim just bubblin' an' backfirin'
Ragin' an' risin'
When suddenly the music cut -
Steelblade drinkin' blood in darkness, it's
War amongs' the rebels
Madness, madness, war

Night number three, over the river
Right outside the Rainbow
Inside James Brown was screamin soul
Outside the rebels were freezin' cold
Babylonian tyrants descended
Bounced on the brothers who were bold
So with a flick of the wris', a jab and a stab
The song of hate was sounded
The pile of oppression was vomited
And two policemen wounded
Righteous, righteous war

Night number four at the blues dance, abuse dance
Two rooms packed and the pressure pushin' up
Hot, hotheads
Ritual of blood in the blues dance
Broke glass splintering, fire
Axes, blades, brain blas'
Rebellion rushin' down the wrong road
Storm blowin' down the wrong tree
And Leroy bleeds near death on the fourth night
In a blues dance, on a black rebellious night, it's
War amongs' the rebels
Madness, madness, war

Night number five at the Telegraph
Vengeance walk thru de doors
So slow, so smooth
So tight and ripe and -smash!
Broke glass, a bottle finds a head
And the shell of the fire heard -crack!
The victim feels fear
Finds hands, holds knife, finds throat
Oh, the stabbins and the bleedin' and the blood, it's
War amongs' the rebels
Madness, madness, war

that tune is so evocative..stone cold classic. bit depressing also I presume about the riots?

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

conflict, the ungovernable force

Fuck off you, fuck your violent threats, your
attempts to control the nation. Fuck off you
fucked up racist cunt, understand the situation
Back off you slimy worthless prick, you ain't got
a clue what you're facing! Eat bricks you hed up
bastard shits, scabs; you'll get what you are
creating Who the fuck do you think you're pushing,
'stay in place or get it' I'd think again to save
your skin,'cos if you come to close You'll fucking
regret it, you whine on all the hell you like
Repeat your warnings of plastic bullets, the gas,
the batons, the water cannon The more you oppress
the more we'll resist Riots, there ain't been a
riot, but one's knockin' at your door You've seen
nothing yet but houselheld pets, but you'll feel
the lions claw Proclaiming laws last victory, of
containing rebel shower When the time Is right
you'll get the fight that will totally test your
power Inciting, provoking trouble, that you know
can easilt be beaten To maintain the Image that we
need you, so thus re-confirm your position You
might trick some you scheming scum, but you'll
never get our obedience You can batter, beat us,
even imprison, yet still you'll never ever defeat
us Belfast...Brixton...Toxteth...Totteham...St.
Pauls...Hansworth... Reclaim the streets, reclaim
the towns, reclaim the nation What revolution,
this revolution, we all wanted a peaceful solution
But this institution, that institution, smashed
all hope of getting through to them.
Confrontations, escalating violations of the law
Repercussions of the mass destruction which in the
end is sure to mean Them pumping out the bullets,
their protection from the poor We will win 'cos we
have to, we ain't got nothing to lose no more And
what they lose they undoubtedly will forfeit
forever "They've got the guns, but we've got the
numbers"

tune

 

[RaverDrew]

The megaphone guy from the fascist rally in the background of Pink Floyd's "Waiting for the Worms" mentions Brixton...

"Will the Audience convene at one fifteen, outside Brixton town hall, where we will be...

WAITING !!!

The Worms will convene outside Brixton Town Hall. We'll be moving along at about 12 o'clock down Stockwell Road {?and then we'll cross at?} {Abbot's Road} and we'll be covering some distance, twelve minutes to three we'll be moving along Lambeth Road towards Vauxhall Bridge. Now when we get to the other side of Vauxhall Bridge we're in Westminster {Borough } area. It's quite possible we may encounter some Jew boys and from now on {?we've got to be careful?} by the way we go. At eighteen after midday, {?we'll all be at Hyde Park! and there we'll continue?..."

 

[hipipol]

Tipper Ranking

Stepping on a 2b Bus

Solomom - where he talks about...

"let me tell ya bout them girl name Jane
She live a Brixton, Water Lane
She go ta Babylon, run a complain,
She tell them address, tell them me name,
She say I man samfie her gold chain"

Forgotten Brixton hero on the mic that boy

 

[Andy the Don]

Sonny's Lettah(sic) - Linton Kwesi Johnson
Ok it's a poem really but is has been put to music.

 

[chintz]

Trustafarian - Junior Blanks mentions Brixton, can't remember the exact line but is something like "your Millionaire Daddy in a Essex mansion, you try so hard to be from Brixton"

( you can download the album free and legally from http://www.knuckleheads.co.uk/blanks/)

 

[twistedAM]

Chip Taylor/Jon Langford - Brixton
Duke Special - Brixton Leaves
Red House Painters - Brockwell Park

 

[RaverDrew]

(AKA Porkpie from Desmond's)

 

[rollinder]

Mpho's Box and Locks (that song that samples Echo Beach) mentions 'a Friday night in Brixton...'

 

[pickefoo]

The Shortcuts - The Bombs of Brixton
(myspace.com/theshortcutsrock)

 

[Meerkat]

Basement Jaxx:
"I Live in Camberwell" ("she lives in Brixton...")
"Where's Your Head At" ("All Brixton Crew...")

 

[Meerkat]

I wouldn't be at all surpised if La Roux's album namechecks Brixton somewhere. There is an image of Atlantic Road in the CD booklet.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Well, it's not a song, but Marilyn Monroe mentions Brixton to Laurence Olivier as being where she lives in "The Prince and the Showgirl".

 

[Totoro303]

The Clash - The Guns of Brixton from 'London Calling'.

 

[reubeness]

B.R.I.X.T.O.N
Mr Man and the Illersapiens, played a set at Brixton Splash this year, local band, play in Cold Coast (old Z bar) on Thursday this week).

 

[dodgepot]

Well, it's not a song, but Marilyn Monroe mentions Brixton to Laurence Olivier as being where she lives in "The Prince and the Showgirl".

yeah - you see a brixton water lane street sign

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

In a dreary Brixton prison
Where an Irish rebel lay
By his side a priest was kneeling
'Ere his soul should pass away
Then he faintly murmered "Father"
As he clasped him by the hand
"Tell me this before I die
Shall my soul pass through Ireland?

Shall my soul pass through old Ireland
Pass through Cork City grand
Shall I see the old cathedral
Where St. Patrick took his stand
Shall I see that little chapel
Where I pledged my heart and hand
Then Father tell me truly
Shall my soul pass through Ireland?

'Twas for loving dear old Ireland
In this prison cell I lie
'Twas for loving dear old Ireland
In this foreign land I'll die
Will you meet my little daughter
Will you make her understand
Then Father tell me truly
Shall my soul pass through Ireland?"

With his heart pure as a lily
And his body sanctified
In that dreary British prison
That brave Irish rebel died
Prayed the priest that wish be granted
As in blessing raised his hand
"Father grant this brave man's prayer
May his soul pass through Ireland"

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Brixton Busters

Listen, listen, listen, here’s a song for Pearse and Nessan
Known as the Brixton Busters far and wide
Like a bolt right out of heaven they escaped from Brixton prison
The Provos they could not keep inside

It happened on a Sunday, it became an "on-the-run day"
Both lads had been praying on their knees
Sure the warders thought it shocking when the gun came from the stocking
And the lads said, "Hand over the keys"

Now they’re moving, movin, movin, get those police dogs moving
Get those doggies searching far and wide
It wasn’t semtex putty but a pistol in the gutty
That let the lads go out for the ride

Every Branch man in the nation went crazy with frustration
They were ordered to quickly find the trail
When they lost them at the station it cured their constipation
No wonder they are still looking pale

Movin’, movin’, movin’, get those police dogs moving
Get those doggies searching far and wide
It wasn’t semtex putty but a pistol in the gutty
That let the lads go out for the ride

Now England learn your lesson from lads like Pearse and Nessan
And the Volunteers you hold in cells today
Though you beat them and mistreat them you never will defeat them
They’ll be back again to fight another day

Now they’re moving, movin, movin, get those police dogs moving
Get those doggies searching far and wide
Now the ‘guvnor’s calculating the pension that is waiting
He can’t get those lads back inside

Shut the gate, shut the door! Don’t let out anymore!
Make sure there’s nowhere to hide!
Searching high and low! Where the hell did they go?
Provos- they could not keep inside

Shut the gate, shut the door! Don’t let out anymore!
Make sure there’s nowhere to hide!
Searching high and low! Where the hell did they go?
The Provos, they could not keep inside

Movin’, movin’, movin’…
Movin’, movin’, movin’…
Movin’, movin’, movin’…
The Provos they could not keep inside
Movin’, movin’, movin’…
The Provos they could not keep inside
Movin’, movin’, movin’…
The Provos they could not keep inside
Movin’, movin’, movin’…

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Who needs lobotomy when we've got the ITV?
Who needs ECT when there's good old BBC?
Switch on the set, light up the screen,
Fantasise and dream about what you might have been,
Who needs controlling when they've got the cathode ray?
They've got your fucking soul, now they'll fuse your brains away.
Mindless fucking morons sit before the set,
Being fed the mindless rubbish they deserve to get.
Can't switch off big brother, they've lost all will to act,
Lost in drab confusion, was it fiction, was it fact?
Another plastic bullet stuns another Irish child,
But no-one's really bothered, no, the telly keeps them mild.
They've lost all sense of feeling to the every hungry glow,
Drained of any substance by the vicious telly blow.
No longer know what's real or ain't, slowly going blind,
They stare into the goggle box while the world goes by, behind.
The Angels are on T.V. tonight, grey puke fucking shit.
The army occupy Ireland, but the boot will never fit.
Was it Coronation Street? Or was it Londonderry?
Oh it doesn't fucking matter, Paul Daniels'll keep us merry.
Yes, I've heard of Bobby Sands, wasn't it Emmerdale Farm?
Yes, that's right, he was kicked by a cow, I hope it didn't do him no harm.
And wasn't the Holocaust terrible, good thing it wasn't for real.
Of course I've heard of H-Block, it's the baccy with man appeal.
Deeper and deeper and deeper, layer upon layer.
Illusion, confusion, is there anyone left who can care?
Yes, the Abbey National cares for you. Nat West, and Securicor.
Well brings out the Branston bren-guns let's spice it up some more.
The Sweeney are cruising Brixton, created another Belfast.
And J.R.'s advising Thatcher on lighting, make up and cast.
A thousand camera lenses point at the people's pain,
As millions of mindless morons watch the action replay again, the action replay again.
Softly, softly, into your life, you're held in it's brilliant glow.
Softly, softly, feeding itself on the you you'll never know.
You're life's reduced to nothing, but an empty media game.
Big Brother ain't watching you mate, you're fucking watching him.

Crass Nineteen Eighty Bore lyrics

 

[Kameron]

And God created Brixton - Carter USM

I fucking love that tune.

Missing from this list and from the editors list:

• Brixton Cat first released by Dice the Boss in 1969 apparently although I didn't know that I've got a cover by Skaville (a couple of ex-Bad Manners boys)
• Pink Floyd's Waiting for the Worms which I assumed post dated the Brixton riots but since it was released in 1979 it turns out to have been prescient.
• Journey to the Centre of Brixton by R.O.C. who played an Offline once though I don't remember them playing that song, it is not them at their best in any case.
• Sister Rosetta by the Alabama 3 is another of their songs that mentions Brixton although it is in a talkie at the front.
• Quixotes of moons fights the Wind-mill of Brixton by Project 5am is probably the longest track title including the word Brixton although I didn't know that, it popped up in last.fm when I was searching for the lyrics to Brixton Cat.

And yes I do have a play list of songs about Brixton because I am a sad geek, I've added a couple from the editors page but The Illersapiens suck.

 

[Psychonaut]

canibus - buckingham palace

 

[isvicthere?]

Well, it's not a song, but Marilyn Monroe mentions Brixton to Laurence Olivier as being where she lives in "The Prince and the Showgirl".

In an episode of "Sex and the City" Miranda won't come out coz she's watching a drama on BBC America in which a posh flower shop owner from (I think) Kensington is having an affair with a black guy from Brixton.

 

[isvicthere?]

Also...

"Brixton, Bronx ou Baixada" a Portuguese-language tune from Brazilian group O Rappa.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

(at the risk of annoying the board police by bumping the thread, but only recently got the record) -

Tighten Up, Vol. 88, Big Audio Dynamite

A windmill stands in the city of spades
The Effra River flows under Granville Arcade
Old dogs in cold harbour have fond memories
Remember the days, this was Viking country
Natives blacks and werewolves, yeah, we got it all
Every kind of exotic fruit on the market stall

Those drums keep on pounding​

Since they moved in down the street​

Cold wet surroundings​

The cops don't like the beat​

Cost of bread is rising, the area's run down
They painted up the brickwork, they painted up the town
While my brother dug the ramjam, I got flea-pit matinees
And we'd catch the number 2, go up West for the day
Tighten Up, volume 2, sound system bon marché
Riots on Jebb Avenue, down Marcus Garvey Way

A windmill stands in the city of spades
The Effra River flows under Granville Arcade
There's Christmas lights on Railton Road, it looks like Oxford Street
If Santa's got electric goods, he'd better have receipts
I got no airs and graces, always been this way
After all I come from Brixton what else can I say

 

[Sirena]

'Santa Isn't Coming Down To Brixton Town' by Jackie Robinson of the Pioneers as a solo release.

 

[Moronik]

 

[89 Til Infinity]

Southside Connection

 

[ringo]

Lots of ska/reggae not mentioned yet. These are just those with Brixton in the title, plent more mentioned in songs and DJ cuts:

Brixton, Lewisham - Tony Washington 1963
Brixton Cat, Big And Fat - Dice The Boss 1969
Scandal In Brixton Market - Laurel Aitken & Girlie 1970
Love Bug (Brixton Hop) - Derrick Morgan 1970
Brixton Reggae Festival - Setters 1970
Brixton Serenade - Lloyd Daley The Matador 1971
Brixton Hall - Dennis Alcapone 1975
Brixton Market - Lord Happiness 1976
Brixton Incident - Raymond Napthali & Roy Rankin 1981
Brixton Skank - Trinity 1981

 

[Favelado]

Brixton mentioned within 20 seconds of the start. SW9 gets namechecked too. The video is clearly sarf, probably Brixton (maybe from the overland, maybe from the top of some flats?), but I'm not sure.