I think people assume it's a protest against unemployment from a left-wing p.o.v. but the SWP's 'right to work' campaign came later. when Gene wrote this he was complaining that he couldn't get a job because of the closed shop. the 'Right To Work' law was U.S. anti-trade union legislation outlawing the closed shop.
But he doesn't mention trade unions one single time. Not even in a subtle way. And he speaks about not having a future, so this is obviously about general unemployment and not about short-time unemployment because of a temporary strike. And anyway: Trade unions being the reason for unemployment has been undeniably exposed as the propaganda lie it was by now.
I'm pro-trade union and I like Chelsea, got their first 2 albums anyway. I'm just telling you what the song is about, as was reported in the press at the time and mentioned in various punk histories/blogs over the years. I'd love this to be a working class socialist anthem, but it just happens that it isn't. It's a personal song based on the fact that he got turned away from jobs because of the closed shop. Nothing to do with strikes..
..The lyrics themselves aren't much to go on: 'Standing around just waiting for our caviar, I don't take drugs no I don't drink beer'
The point is, just because we want a song to be about something, doesn't mean that it is. When I was a kid I assumed Depeche Mode's 'Master & Servant was a political song, then later I realised it was about s&m..
@muzz1977 learning to be a musician and writing music for hours gets pretty frustrating and draining even for amatuers (as most punks were considered) but they still created a vibe that people still love today. Even younger people. Seems weird seeing younger people in their teens wearing Rush shirts or Joy Division (even though they're two different sub genres of original rock). But i get your point. The pre X-gen is lazy I guess :|
love this !!!!! makes me want to get up and do wild stuff :D
StevenRodriguez92 1 month ago
love this song ...( pure punkz )
PunkyTom1962 1 month ago
possibly the finest anti-trade union song ever written by a rent boy
reggaechicken 2 months ago
@reggaechicken
Why the hell is this supposed to be an anti-trade union song?
sceptiquele 3 weeks ago
@sceptiquele
I think people assume it's a protest against unemployment from a left-wing p.o.v. but the SWP's 'right to work' campaign came later. when Gene wrote this he was complaining that he couldn't get a job because of the closed shop. the 'Right To Work' law was U.S. anti-trade union legislation outlawing the closed shop.
reggaechicken 3 weeks ago
@reggaechicken
But he doesn't mention trade unions one single time. Not even in a subtle way. And he speaks about not having a future, so this is obviously about general unemployment and not about short-time unemployment because of a temporary strike. And anyway: Trade unions being the reason for unemployment has been undeniably exposed as the propaganda lie it was by now.
sceptiquele 3 weeks ago
@sceptiquele
I'm pro-trade union and I like Chelsea, got their first 2 albums anyway. I'm just telling you what the song is about, as was reported in the press at the time and mentioned in various punk histories/blogs over the years. I'd love this to be a working class socialist anthem, but it just happens that it isn't. It's a personal song based on the fact that he got turned away from jobs because of the closed shop. Nothing to do with strikes..
reggaechicken 2 weeks ago
..The lyrics themselves aren't much to go on: 'Standing around just waiting for our caviar, I don't take drugs no I don't drink beer'
The point is, just because we want a song to be about something, doesn't mean that it is. When I was a kid I assumed Depeche Mode's 'Master & Servant was a political song, then later I realised it was about s&m..
reggaechicken 2 weeks ago
Occupy Wall Street unofficial theme song.
nathar40 3 months ago
Is it true when Chelsea played this song in Glasgow, that Rab C Nesbitt and Jamesie Cotter threw bottles at Gene October?
WolvoExPunk 7 months ago
thanks for upload this..
leeKorrigan 7 months ago
quality song,one of my favs from the greatest era eva,long live the stranglers....
ricknblack 11 months ago
employment is a crime against humanity......we shouldn't have to work.
rabpunk 1 year ago 5
workings for slouchers
JoshuaThompsonM3 1 year ago
no work, no money, no hony's
bretadounitedfc 1 year ago
Great song. I would love not to work, but it wouldn't pay my bills!
bananasplitsable 2 years ago
work = money = :)
urscrewed 2 years ago
Most punks I knew always avoided working while singing about the right to work !!! The right not to work would be better
muzz1977 2 years ago 11
Comment removed
crassology 10 months ago
@muzz1977 learning to be a musician and writing music for hours gets pretty frustrating and draining even for amatuers (as most punks were considered) but they still created a vibe that people still love today. Even younger people. Seems weird seeing younger people in their teens wearing Rush shirts or Joy Division (even though they're two different sub genres of original rock). But i get your point. The pre X-gen is lazy I guess :|
crassology 10 months ago
Yes! They are right! Unemployment is one of the greatest problems of capitalist society!
peterkvideo 2 years ago 10
Comment removed
Itsthebillshow 2 years ago
thanks, haven't heard this for so long
Itsthebillshow 2 years ago 3
I agree with you 100%!!! Why "waste time" working when you could be fucking "You Tube-ing" instead, right??!!! Lol!!!
petermurphreak 2 years ago
great 45....but the b-side (the loner) is far better!
62salv 2 years ago
No, no, no! I want the right NOT to work! "Why work, when there is so much more to life?"
isabeats 2 years ago