History: Sham 69 formed in 1976 (the 12 November issue of NME notes they were rehearsing at this time, although only Pursey would remain from this early line-up 12 months later). Sham 69 lacked the art school background of many British punk bands of the time, and brought in football chant back-up vocals and a sort of inarticulate political populism. The band had a large skinhead following (left wing, right wing and non-political), which helped set the tone for the Oi! movement. Their concerts were notoriously plagued by violence, and the band ceased live performances after one of their gigs at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1978 was broken up by National Front skinheads fighting and rushing the stage. Sham 69 released their first single, "Ulster", on Step Forward Records in August 1977, and its success in the independent charts prompted Polydor to sign the band.
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Otis Redding Lyrics

Sham 69

A tenner in my pocket but what's it for
You're only going to do what you did before
You gotta cheap smile you got it from the government
You've gotta go to work it feels just like a punishment

Ain't got a job I'm outta my head
I think I'll spend the day in bed
Otis Redding on the dock of the bay
I'll spend the tenner on a takeaway
Otis Redding on the dock of the bay
I'll spend the tenner on a takeaway

A tenner in my pocket but what's it for
You're only going to do what you did before
I wanna have a fag I need some Marijuana
Yeah a David Bowie song that day by the river

A tenner in my pocket but what's it for
You're only going to do what you did before
The telephones ringing there's someone at the door
Yeah I've gotta write a letter I feel it in the weather