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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You're Better Man Than I Lyrics
Sham 69
Can you judge a man by the way he wears his hair
Can you read his mind by the clothes that he wears
Can you see a fat man by the pattern on his tie
Then mister you're a better man than I
Mister you're a better man than I
Could you tell a wise man by the way he speaks or spells
Is this more important than the stories that he tells
And call a man a fool if for wealth he doesn't strive
Then mister you're a better man than I
Mister you're a better man than I
Can you condemn a man if your faith he doesn't hold
Say the colour of his skin is the colour of his soul
Can you say that men for king and country all must die
Then mister you're a better man than I
Mister you're a better man than I