Rubber Bullets

10cc

About Rubber Bullets

"Rubber Bullets" is a song by the English band 10cc from their self-titled debut album. Written by Kevin Godley, Lol Creme, and Graham Gouldman and produced by 10cc, "Rubber Bullets" was the band's first number one single in the UK Singles Chart, spending one week at the top in June 1973. It also reached No. 1 in Ireland and No. 3 in Australia, but it fared relatively poorly in the United States where it peaked at only No. 73. The single achieved sales of over 50,000 copies in Australia, being eligible for the award of a Gold Disc.  


Year:
2006
4:45
113 

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I went to a party at the local county jail
All the cons were dancing and the band began to wail
But the guys were indiscreet
They were brawling in the street
At the local dance at the local county jail

Well the band were playing
And the booze began to flow
But the sound came over on the police car radio
Down at Precinct 49
Having a tear-gas of a time
Sergeant Baker got a call from the governor of the county jail

Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
I love to hear those convicts squeal
It's a shame these slugs ain't real
But we can't have dancin' at the local county jail

Sergeant Baker and his men made a bee-line for the jail
And for miles around
You could hear the sirens wail
There's a rumor goin' 'round death row
That a fuse is gonna blow
At the local hop at the local county jail (whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do?)

Whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do?

Sergeant Baker started talkin' with a bullhorn in his hand (bullhorn in his hand, bullhorn in his hand)
He was cool, he was clear, he was always in command (always in command, always in command)
He said "Blood will flow, here Padre
Padre you talk to your boys"
"Trust in me
God will come to set you free"

Well we don't understand why you called in the National Guard (National Guard, the National Guard)
When Uncle Sam is the one who belongs in the exercise yard (exercise yard, the exercise yard)
We all got balls and brains
But some's got balls and chains
At the local dance at the local county jail

Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
Is it really such a crime
For a guy to spend his time
At the local dance at the local county jail
At the local dance at the local county jail (whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do?)

Whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do?

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10cc

10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians—Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme—who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name in 1972. more »

3 fans

Written by: GRAHAM GOULDMAN, KEVIN GODLEY, LOL CREME

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Band Creation
"Rubber Bullets" is one of the original songs produced by the British band "10cc".
Release Date
It was released as part of the band's self-titled debut album "10cc" in 1973.
Chart Success
The song was a commercial success, and notably reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart.
Grammy Nomination
"Rubber Bullets" earned 10cc their first Grammy nomination, increasing the band's international reputation.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by the notorious 1971 Attica State Prison riot in New York and the B-Movie prison films that were prevalent during the 1950s.
Hidden Meanings
Although on the surface it might seem light-hearted, the song was controversial due to its political undertones and somewhat playful handling of serious issues.
Concept
"Rubber Bullets" utilizes an unusual concept of a prison riot being put down with non-lethal rubber bullets rather than the actual ones.
Unusual Instruments
The unique sound effects in the song, resembling gunshots, are done using slide whistles and vocal harmonies.
Lyrics
The lyrics are deliberately ambiguous, full of wordplay and double entendre, as was common in 10cc songs. They contain humorous jibes towards US law enforcement's handling of such situations.
Influences
"Rubber Bullets" shows strong influence and specific references to popular music of the time, including Beach Boys’ harmonies and Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound.”
Lineup
The song featured the original 10cc lineup, including Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme.
Record Labels
"Rubber Bullets" was released under the UK records label in the United Kingdom and the Mercury label in the United States.
Duration
The original track length of "Rubber Bullets" is just over five minutes.
Music Video
A music video was also created for the song, which shows the band members using ‘toy’ instruments.
Recognition
It's considered one of 10cc's most famous songs and remains popular even today.

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    Rubber Bullets

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1973

    Billboard #73


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