Urban Guerrilla

Hawkwind

About Urban Guerrilla

"Urban Guerrilla" is a 1973 song by the UK rock group Hawkwind. It was originally released as a single in the UK (UP 35566) on 27 July 1973 with "Brainbox Pollution" as the B side, reaching #39 on the UK singles chart before being withdrawn after 3 weeks. It is currently available on the remasters version of Doremi Fasol Latido.


Year:
1990
10:48
25 
#2

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I'm an urban guerrilla
I make bombs in my cellar
I'm a derelict dweller
I'm a potential killer
I'm a street-fighting dancer
I'm a revolutionary romancer
My rising sign is Cancer
I'm a two-tone panther

So let's not talk of love and flowers 
And things that don't explode
We've used up all our magic powers
Trying to do it in the road

I'm a political bandit
And you don't understand it
You took my dream and canned it
It is not the way I planned it
I'm society's destructor
I'm a petrol-bomb constructor
I'm a cosmic light conductor
I'm the people's debt collector

So watch out, Mr. Business Man
Your empire's about to blow
I think you'd better listen, man
In case you did not know

I'm an urban ... urban guerrilla
I'm an urban ... urban guerrilla
I'm an urban ... urban guerrilla
I'm an urban ... urban guerrilla

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Hawkwind

Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures. more »

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Written by: DAVE BROCK, ROBERT NEWTON CALVERT

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


25 facts about this song

Background
"Urban Guerrilla" is a song by the English rock band, Hawkwind, which was formed in 1969.
Release
It was initially released as a single, with the original release date on July 27, 1973.
Album Inclusion
While released as a single, "Urban Guerrilla" was later included in the band's album "Doremi Fasol Latido", extending the song's audience beyond the initial release.
Lyrics Inspiration
The lyrics of this song reflect political views and scenarios prevalent during the time of its composition.
Song Banning
Shortly after its release in 1973, the song was banned by the BBC due to its controversial lyrics aligning with violent thematic elements, particularly in the wake of heightened IRA bombings in the UK.
Chart Performance
Despite being banned, "Urban Guerrilla" performed relatively well on charts, reaching No. 39 on the UK Singles Chart.
Band Members
The song features band members Dave Brock, Lemmy, Simon King, Nik Turner, and Dik Mik.
Composition
The song "Urban Guerrilla" was composed by Dave Brock, who was a guitarist, singer, and one of the founding members of Hawkwind.
Controversy
"Urban Guerrilla" has often been cited as an example of Hawkwind's uncompromising approach to their music and their willingness to engage openly with political themes, despite the potential for controversy.
Legacy
Over the years, the song "Urban Guerrilla" has remained a pivotal part of Hawkwind's discography and is still played live by the band.
Genre
The song represents the band's characteristic space rock genre, distinguished with its fusion of electronic instruments and hard rock.
B-Side
The B-side of the "Urban Guerrilla" single was the track "Brainbox Pollution", which continued the band's space rock aesthetic.
Song Length
"Urban Guerrilla" is a relatively short track, with a running length of 3 minutes and 40 seconds.
Song Creation
"Urban Guerrilla" was created by the British rock band, Hawkwind and was initially released in 1973.
Release Information
The song was released as a single and was meant to be part of their 'Doremi Fasol Latido' album but was omitted due to the controversy surrounding its lyrical content.
Songwriters
The song was written by Hawkwind members Dave Brock, who also provided vocals and guitar, and Robert Calvert, who was the lead singer and lyricist.
Lyrical Content
"Urban Guerrilla" was seen as a political song, with lyrics discussing civil unrest and promoting an anarchistic viewpoint.
Controversy
The song caused some controversy upon its release due to its provocative lyrical content and was even banned by some radio stations in the UK.
Chart Success
Despite the controversy, "Urban Guerrilla" reached #39 in the UK Singles Chart, making it one of Hawkwind's most commercially successful singles.
Live Performances
Hawkwind typically incorporated "Urban Guerrilla" into their live performances, offering dynamic renditions of the song.
Band Lineup
The Hawkwind lineup at the time of recording "Urban Guerrilla" featured Dave Brock, Nik Turner, Del Dettmar, Simon King, Lemmy Kilmister, and Dik Mik.
Cover versions
There have been several cover versions of "Urban Guerrilla" by other artists, signifying its influence in the rock genre.
Record Label
The song was released on the United Artists record label, a company known for its roster of critically acclaimed artists.
B-side
The B-side of the "Urban Guerrilla" single was "Brainbox Pollution," another Hawkwind track.
Legacy
The controversy surrounding "Urban Guerrilla" has, in many ways, added to the song's legacy, reflecting Hawkwind's reputation as a thought-provoking and challenging band.

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