The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Gimme a country that's red, white and blue
Gimme the British way, honest and true
Gimme the chance to be one of the few
Gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme
Gimme a nation where people are free
Free to do and free to be
Free to screw you before you screw me
Gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme,'cause
I'm alright
I'm alright
Union Jack
(Fly the flag, fly the flag)
Gimme a Britain that's got back the Great
A race of winners not cramped by the State
And only the helpless get left at the gate
Gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme, 'cause
I'm alright
I'm alright
Union Jack
(Fly the flag, fly the flag)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
Union Jack (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
Union Jack (gimme-gimme)
Fly the flag, fly the flag (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
Union Jack (gimme-gimme)
Fly the flag, fly the flag (gimme-gimme)
Hey!
Gimme the British way, honest and true
Gimme the chance to be one of the few
Gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme
Gimme a nation where people are free
Free to do and free to be
Free to screw you before you screw me
Gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme,'cause
I'm alright
I'm alright
Union Jack
(Fly the flag, fly the flag)
Gimme a Britain that's got back the Great
A race of winners not cramped by the State
And only the helpless get left at the gate
Gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme-gimme, 'cause
I'm alright
I'm alright
Union Jack
(Fly the flag, fly the flag)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
Union Jack (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
Union Jack (gimme-gimme)
Fly the flag, fly the flag (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
I'm alright (gimme-gimme)
Union Jack (gimme-gimme)
Fly the flag, fly the flag (gimme-gimme)
Hey!
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Fly the Flag Lyrics as written by Gordon Ogilvie Jake Burns
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Just A Little Lovin'
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Very sarcastic. SLF lived in England for ages (im not so sure about now, but i think they still do).
They didn't live in England, they were from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I think this is a response to the racism/colonialist views supported by England's government at the time as well as the public. Its a protest song in the purest form, using sarcasm and cynicism in order to make a point. I also think its interesting how the song seems to fit as a response to Skrewdrivers Voice of Britain (though I believe that song came out in 84?). Truly one of the best SLF songs written.
Much better when doing raspy voice. Terirrble when he tries to actually sing the song seen um live many times. Once again much better band in early days
They didn't live in England, they were from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I think this is a response to the racism/colonialist views supported by England's government at the time as well as the public. Its a protest song in the purest form, using sarcasm and cynicism in order to make a point. I also think its interesting how the song seems to fit as a response to Skrewdrivers Voice of Britain (though I believe that song came out in 84?). Truly one of the best SLF songs written.
@XmisfitXgirlX they did live in England. They lived in Newcastle upon Tyne. Jake Burns cowrote and played guitars for a little England WC song in Newcastle back in the day. The now lives in California US. Burns still watches and supports Newcastle United.
Yes but originally from belfast
Yes but originally from belfast
gimme the red flag.
By the time SLF released Nobodys Heroes, on which 'Fly The Flag' was first heard, all of the band except Henry Cluney had moved to London. I think the advance from Chrysalis records meant they could afford to leave Ireland and who could blame them with the climate at that time and the fact they were becoming a successful band so open to criticism or worse in their homeland. It's a great song, riddled with sarcastic lyrics attacking British patriotism at a time when the National Front were very strong, continuing in the same vein as 'White Noise' from the first SLF album, and it's not too disimilar to 'Voice of Britain' (which did indeed come out in 1984 and I'd say was Skrewdrivers only great album, notwithstanding the shite polemic on some of the songs...the music is harsh and powerful!) I'd still say 'White Noise' was a more effective critique of nationalist bile though.