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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Who Gives A Damn Lyrics
Sham 69
Running for the bus in my flash blue suit
Someone shouts out poof
So I put in the boot
I don't want to wear it
It's my boss that tells me to
So when you laugh at me
You only laugh at you
Anyway who gives a damn
I'm doing the best I can
Anyway who gives a damn
I'm doing the best I can
Everybody's on a lead
We're all dogsbody's
Look at me in anger
But I've got to survive
So when you look at me
You better run and hide
I don't want to go to work
But I've got to get my pay
The weekend's getting nearer
I won't go in on Monday
Anyway who gives a damn
I'm doing the best I can
Anyway who gives a damn
I'm doing the best I can
Everybody's on a lead
We're all dogsbody's
Looking out the window
People everywhere
But nobody's looking at me
Cos nobody really cares
Two stops to go
I'll soon be there
But it's five past eight
Oh shit I'm late
Anyway who gives a damn
I'm doing the best I can
Anyway who gives a damn
I'm doing the best I can
Everybody's on a lead
We're all dogsbody's
I've listened to the gossip
From my row to the next
Some little boys' lost his conkers
And his aunties budgies' dead
I don't think I can take much more
Of this week and the next
But it ain't no good me worrying
It'll always be the same
Anyway who gives a damn
I'm doing the best I can
Anyway who gives a damn
I'm doing the best I can
Everybody's on a lead
We're all being taken for a walk