DON'T PANIC ENGLAND

by TV SMITH & RICHARD STRANGE

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“Don’t Panic England” by TV Smith, frontman of The Adverts and Richard Strange frontman of Doctors of Madness is a rabble-rousing, fist-pumping, toe-tapping rant by two of Britain’s finest songwriters. The song was begun in 1978 but has lain dormant, like an avenging angel, waiting for the right time to rise up. The time is now.

Mixed by Martyn Ware (Human League, Heaven 17, Tina Turner etc) and Tom Gillieron, it flexes its musical and lyrical muscles like a digital-age superhero, and speaks loud and clear to all generations.

The Adverts and Doctors of Madness were two seminal bands of the mid 70s.

TV Smith wrote three of the most iconic songs of the punk era…
One Chord Wonders, Bored Teenagers and the hit single Gary Gilmore’s Eyes, and has re-leased 14 albums to date. His live shows are legendary for the fervour and the almost religious zeal of his fans.

Richard “Kid” Strange went on to work with artists as varied as Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, The Nightingales and Marianne Faithfull, as well as working as an actor in the films
Batman, Robin Hood, Gangs of New York and Harry Potter.

Their friendship dates back to a chance meeting at a Doctors of Madness gig in 1976, and has endured these past 45 years, through the unique journeys their lives have taken them on.

Their fans are as diverse as their music…from Henry Rollins, Joe Elliott and Julian Cope
to Vic Reeves and Atilla the Stockbroker.

lyrics

DON’T PANIC ENGLAND

We thought we had some kind of a lead
But the trail just drifted away
All kicked over in the stampede
As we raced for Freedom Day
The dust rose up and into our eyes
And we knew the cause was lost
So you and me stood off to one side
and counted up the cost

We weren’t made to keep our distance
But something comes between us
Don’t panic England, don’t panic anyone
Don’t panic England, we shall overcome

We thought we’d make some kind of a deal
With the driver in the dark
But even as we went to take the wheel
We were back in Noah’s Ark
And you and me were not so sure
What they meant by Freedom Day
Freedom to be captured and to be tamed?
Freedom to be slain?

And we weren’t made to live in cages
But something stops us escaping

Don’t panic England, don’t panic anyone
Don’t panic England, we shall overcome

Overcome

Like dogs we strain at our leashes
And never find our peace, but

Don’t panic England, don’t panic anyone
Don’t panic England, we shall overcome
Don’t panic England, don’t panic anyone
Don’t panic England, we shall overcome

Overcome

We Shall Overcome, We Shall Overcome,
We Shall Overcome some day
Oh deep on my heart, I do believe
That We Shall Overcome some day.

credits

released December 17, 2021
Written & Performed by TV Smith & Richard Strange
Produced by Richard Strange
Mixed by Martin Ware & Tom Gilleron

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about

TV Smith & Richard Strange UK

The Adverts and Doctors of Madness were two seminal bands of the mid 70s.

TV Smith wrote three of the most iconic songs of the punk era, One Chord Wonders, Bored Teenagers and the hit single Gary Gilmore’s Eyes,

Richard “Kid” Strange went on to work with artists as varied as Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, The Nightingales and Marianne Faithfull,

Their friendship dates back 45 years, ... more

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