The meaning of this song's lyrics are fairly self-explanatory, and it is fine, fine satire indeed. This song was made in 2005(?) and I remember the time well. It does a good job of encapsulating that depressing air of suspicion, xenophobia and pointless killing that swamped all of us for those five or six years following 9/11.
For those less familiar with UK politics at the time: The reference to "28 days" relates to a piece of counter-terrorism legislation proposed by the government that would extend the maximum time a suspect of a crime could be held without charge from 28 days to 90 days. (this legislation was voted down in the house of commons, and was Tony Blair's first legislative defeat as prime minister).
Oldham, Hounslow, Luton and Bradford are towns in England with large populations of ethnic minorities.
Finally, the line "they'll do you like Brazilians and shoot your arse down." refers to Jean Charles de Menezes, a Brazilian electrician working in London who was shot in the head 7 times in Stockwell underground station by counter terrorism police, despite being completely innocent. That incident is often seen as an important cultural epoch in Britain's post 9-11 and post 7-7 society.
The meaning of this song's lyrics are fairly self-explanatory, and it is fine, fine satire indeed. This song was made in 2005(?) and I remember the time well. It does a good job of encapsulating that depressing air of suspicion, xenophobia and pointless killing that swamped all of us for those five or six years following 9/11.
For those less familiar with UK politics at the time: The reference to "28 days" relates to a piece of counter-terrorism legislation proposed by the government that would extend the maximum time a suspect of a crime could be held without charge from 28 days to 90 days. (this legislation was voted down in the house of commons, and was Tony Blair's first legislative defeat as prime minister).
Oldham, Hounslow, Luton and Bradford are towns in England with large populations of ethnic minorities.
Finally, the line "they'll do you like Brazilians and shoot your arse down." refers to Jean Charles de Menezes, a Brazilian electrician working in London who was shot in the head 7 times in Stockwell underground station by counter terrorism police, despite being completely innocent. That incident is often seen as an important cultural epoch in Britain's post 9-11 and post 7-7 society.