Mix of Bricks & Valentines

Lyrics 1979–2009

G.W. Sok

• Publisher: PM Press
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN: 9781604864991
• eBook ISBN: 9781604866162
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Punk Music

G.W. Sok co-founded of the internationally acclaimed independent Dutch music group The Ex in 1979. He became the singer and lyricist, more or less by coincidence, since he wrote the occasional poem and nobody else wanted to sing. At the same time he turned himself into a graphic designer of record sleeves, posters, and books. Together with The Ex he was awarded the Dutch Pop Prize of 1991. The band is well known for their energetic live performances, inventive music, and politically outspoken and thought-provoking lyrics. After 1, 400 concerts in Holland and abroad, and 25 record albums later, G.W. Sok decided to leave the group at the end of 2008. A Mix of Bricks & Valentines showcases the lyrics G.W. Sok wrote during his three-decade period of Ex-istence. More than 250 songs of agitprop lyrics, poetry, and rantings are included along with an introduction by the author discussing his development as a writer. A foreword by English journalist, author, and musician John Robb (the Membranes, Punk: An Oral History and Death to Trad Rock ) puts the work of G.W. Sok into perspective. A Mix of Bricks & Valentines is written with a sharp pen; provocative, creative, and witty, everything punk and art intended to be from the start. And yes, it can be quite loud at times, too.

1984–1989

The Ex in 1989: Terrie, Jeroen (sound), Katherina, Dolf (sound), Sok, Luc

Back in the U.S.S.A.

(a.k.a. Ronnie Rae)

He acts like a president

like one who leads the way

but he’s a nightmare

even by day

he cheats as he chats

in fair and foul play

a danger in disguise

and he’s coming our way

He’s America’s dream, he’s America’s son

wake up, dreamland, he’s America’s gun

Darkness over dreamland

where the stars are on the ground

where brains are like a treasure

still waiting to be found

darkness over dreamland

where movies are like friends

until they wake you up

and then, where’s the happy end?

Like the present past

our future’s very clear

trouble in your backyards

for four more years

and for your misery at home

he’s responsible too

but don’t blame him

he was chosen by you

He’s America’s dream, he’s America’s son

wake up, dreamland, you made Ronnie Rae a gun

Blueprints for a Blackout

Blueprints for a blackout

like a mass-murder in a far-away town

it can be even worse when it’s your home-town

but no one will notice when the lights are out

Blueprints for a blackout

like a call for arms against the peace threat

living off this World War Three threat

seems there’s nothing to be worried about

Blueprints for a blackout

like public opinions that divide the crowd

demagogues leading the lonely crowd

waiting for volunteers to drop out

Blueprints for a blackout

like planned heart-attacks stab by stab

a booming business behind your back

down-to-earth boxers in a knock-out

Blueprints for a blackout

or how to sell the next disease

tragic proof

of human inhumanity

this sort of thing

has become epidemic

it seems to be the only way

to settle disagreements

Blueprints for a blackout

governments promise to consider our doubts

blueprints for a blackout

their answers hidden in the background

blueprints for a blackout

no one will notice as the lights are out

blueprints for a blackout

flexible like cardboard cut-outs

like blueprints for a knock-out

Blueprints for a blackout

it seems there’s nothing to be worried about

no one will notice as the lights are out

blueprints for a blackout

like blueprints for a knock-out

Rabble with a Cause

Half a million people in the city of The Hague

the Dutch disease spread to fight the nuclear plague

one day later we can read in the press

our Dutch government is not impressed

Too many people stayed home

too many people didn’t show up

half a million people left out in the cold

no nuclear freeze. no slow up

Once upon a time it was 1945

one big bang ended more than a million lives

if it was here and now we would read in the press

the Dutch government is not impressed

Wait until they quarrel and World War Three comes round

all the world’s a stage as the curtains get torn down

they’ll hide with the rich in the shelters they possess

but our Dutch government still won’t be impressed

Too many assholes will survive

too many bastards side by side

too many crooks will stay alive

a load of swindlers that took us for a ride

Pleased to Meat You

I’m no hero

I am me

I guarantee

I’ll make you happy

I’m made for peace

let me go

I will go

as you please

Order me

set me free

let me go and

I’ll make you happy

I’ll...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword (by John Robb)
• Introduction (by G.W. Sok)
• Acknowledgements
• Lyrics 1979–1983
• Lyrics 1984–1989
• Lyrics 1990–1995
• Lyrics 1996–2002
• Lyrics 2003–2009
• Six Dutch Songs Translated into English
• The Song Titles (in Chronological Order)
• The Song Titles (in Alphabetical Order)
• Discography & Other Stuff