Newtown Neurotics - When The Oil Runs Out

"Are you prepared for such a drastic change in lifestyle
 you say "yeah", I don't believe you, look at your home
 the things that you own, the job that you work in
 they could all go...."

Here's a song that's even more relevant today than it was upon it's release on No Wonder Records back in 1980. Harlow band The Newtown Neurotics (who later changed their name to The Neurotics) had formed the previous year, influenced strongly by The Clash and The Ramones. Frontman Steve Drewett's strong socialist political views shone through in the band's lyrics, especially after the election of Maggie Thatcher as British Prime Minister. Despite splitting up in 1988 they've been playing gigs again since 2006 and this song, When The Oil Runs Out, was recently re released.....



Think about the fat men who wear their slippers to drive their cars
while their machines are running, they wont walk very far
they never realise what they've got,one day they will lose the lot
because....

Chorus:What's gonna happen when the buses don't run
and what's gonna happen when the winter comes
what are you gonna do,
what are you gonna do
when the oil runs out?

Think about the record industry and the people its used
self indulgent pampered popstars which ones did you choose
I'll be far more drastic than no-more 12 inch plastic because....

CHORUS:

Are you prepared for such a drastic change of life style
you say "yeah" I don't believe you, look at your home
the things that you own, the job that you work in 
they all could go

what about the tax exiles who live in the sun
when the oil runs out, they'll have no-where to run

And what about the comfortable people who just cant go without
they're forever panic buying, in case things run out
they never realise what they've got, one day they will lose the lot because....

Chorus:
What's gonna happen when cycling becomes a strain
and you need a drop of 3 in 1 on your bicycle chain
what are you gonna do,
what are you gonna do
when the oil runs out.

Are you prepared for such a drastic change in life style
you say "yeah" I don't believe you,look at your home
the things that you own, the job that you work in
they all could go.