We're Alright Jack by The Shambles

The Shambles' Comments:  The thinking behind the song is fairly simple.  It could be expressed as 'put up or shut up'.  I can understand why an individual would not wish to get actively involved in a cause or campaign.  The choice is theirs.  There is only so much time and one would soon be worn out if you were not selective in where you placed your limited energy.  What I don't understand is why some people, who maybe generally in favour of the overall objective and who recognise the scale of the problem, are motivated to spend their time and energy to publicly place some nit-picking criticism of the methods that are being used by those who are actively involved.  Doing this without making any positive alternative suggestions or accepting that others may not have the luxury of choosing if they wish to be actively involved.  The original criticisms are usually justified by a claim that the methods used are counter-productive and/or risk making the situation worse.  Not recognising that for a victim, things could not get much worse or that expressing these negative criticisms is the most counter-productive action and risks diverting attention away from the real problem.  I possibly do understand why this is done, I do not however understand why this is considered to be a respectable position?  Or why when such negative views are expressed, these are then followed with 'sheep-like' agreement from others?  Or are expressed, because it is felt to be expressing a collective, if undemonstrated view or feeling?  No one is above criticism or above making mistakes but are there not better ways of dealing with this, ones that do not risk confusing the issue or diluting the strength of the message?  This song reflects my personal experiences with the Public Entertainment Licensing issue, over the past 2 years, but can be applied to many wider issues.  An obvious example is the present situation with Iraq.

We're alright Jack, so don't bother us
It may affect us too, if you go kicking up a fuss
I can see you are wounded
Not in the best of health
But we all agree, you must have brought it on yourself

Am I not entitled, just like all of you
To speak from what I see, my personal point of view?
I'll question those who try to get the problem solved
And criticise those who would get me involved

We're alright Jack, so don't bother us
It may affect us too, if you go kicking up a fuss
I can see you are wounded
Not in the best of health
But we all agree, you must have brought it on yourself

These fears of mugging are simply overblown
Didn't get mugged, when I went out alone
Ignore the statistics, ignore the traumatised
In my opinion, its over dramatised

We're alright Jack, so don't bother us
It may affect us too, if you go kicking up a fuss
I can see you are wounded
Not in the best of health
But we all agree, you must have brought it on yourself

The victims of this crime may not think I am right
Many now, if able, would not go out at night
My support may give some consolation
I'll leave them in their lonely isolation

We're alright Jack, so don't bother us
It may affect us too, if you go kicking up a fuss
I can see you are wounded
Not in the best of health
But we all agree, you must have brought it on yourself


©Roger Gall – September 2002