Wasted Life

Wasted Life is basically an anti-paramilitary, but also an anti-establishment song (Stiff were and are politically aware) that basically threw up two fingers to the situation in Northern Ireland known as the troubles. Stiff focused this song, however, largely on paramilitaries and argued that they were nothing more than opportunists, egoistical and utopian. Note the sarcastic singing in lines such as "be a PEOPLE'S SOLDIER" and "IMPORTANT CAUSE". They specifically refer to the paramilitaries as fascist, which was an argument made against the IRA and Loyalist groups in general throughout that period (and to some extent today). Although the song blames paramilitaries for the unbareable situation its generally clear in parts of the song that they are anti-establishment ("And rules and regulations...That merely cause disturbances and wars...That is what I've got now") The title of the song not only is about how paramilitaries have "wasted" their lives but also how they waste the lives of others.

cant belive im the first to comment on this song, one of slf's best and just as relevent now as it was when written.

I'm sorry to disappoint you my friend, but the 'armies' they are speaking out against is the IRA and other paramilitary organizations that were active in Northern Ireland at that time.

I'm sorry to disappoint you my friend, but the 'armies' they are speaking out against is the IRA and other paramilitary organizations that were active in Northern Ireland at that time.

'feelin da rithim' - yeah wikid m8. Hopefully, when you get older you’ll eventually learn not to talk like a spasticated mong.

I didn't know what this song was about until I joined the Army.

this song is about spitting in tha face of th ira, uff,uvf, etc...

I always thought this was just an anti-war song like Tin Soldier, but now that I think about it it's more like not wanting to be caught up in the whole uvf ira thing. I feel that, I get really pissed off when kids in my class write UVF or IRA all over their books... I mean come on, they're kids, they barely remeber the troubles. I wish they'd get the fuck over it.

i think its kinda obvious da meanin of this song but woa ma mum dad preti much evri one of aunti n uncles wer in da armi n ma grandad tryin to convince me to join da navi but thers chance of dat hapnin n dis song just completi baks it al up n its wot i sai to dem peace out

iv had anutha thought i think it meens dat thru da violence and wars theiv realised dat it dont mata whos in charge or who wins da war they al hav tha same efect on you n its the same wid religion