X-Ray Spex - Identity

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  • Опубліковано 25 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 535

  • @innercityunit2112
    @innercityunit2112 9 років тому +755

    I thought it only appropriate to reply to the silly little jibe that "this is not punk"...As a 55 year old male now, I was 16 in 1976 and a punk right through this true punk era and I can unequivocally state that this most certainly is and X-Ray Spex most definitely were punk...X-Ray Spex epitomise the very essence and spirit of what punk was all about.

    • @johnnyappleseed4710
      @johnnyappleseed4710 9 років тому +17

      Here, here.

    • @EricScoles
      @EricScoles 9 років тому +13

      +Inner City Unit someone actually thought this wasn't punk? much more truly so than a lot of the stuff that passes as such. I suppose from here some of it (like "Oh Bondage..." can seem cartoonish, but surely the pistols were more cartoonish.

    • @SeanPopify
      @SeanPopify 9 років тому +8

      +Inner City Unit ICU, right on! Punk with talent is still punk!

    • @harryflash5202
      @harryflash5202 9 років тому +12

      Agreed. In '77, the X Ray Spex fan-base were all punks

    • @ExUSSailor
      @ExUSSailor 9 років тому +5

      +Inner City Unit You say "the punk era" like it's over. Punk Rock is alive, and, well.

  • @DeltaJazzUK
    @DeltaJazzUK 5 років тому +268

    Mixing punk aggression with the lament of the saxophone was genius.

    • @marsramtomahawk7521
      @marsramtomahawk7521 4 роки тому +4

      So true...

    • @adamgroves1188
      @adamgroves1188 4 роки тому

      Didn't roxy music do it years earlier?

    • @chiladdwhitney4926
      @chiladdwhitney4926 4 роки тому +6

      mixing punk aggression with the lament of *poly styrene was genius
      *Corrected

    • @bsadewitz
      @bsadewitz 4 роки тому +1

      @@chiladdwhitney4926 Hahahaha. Well, I'm not gonna argue.

    • @bsadewitz
      @bsadewitz 4 роки тому

      We got james chance out of this, for instance, and ultimately no wave, which I really love for reasons I may never understand.

  • @14dendens
    @14dendens 12 років тому +37

    Was very unusual for a sax to be used in a punk band, but X-Ray Spex were totally unique in many ways.

  • @stinkypinkeee5085
    @stinkypinkeee5085 2 роки тому +11

    Thanks for posting...as a 14 year old living in Missouri, I had to literally imagone what these bands sounded like when I read about them in books about the time...now. at 48, I get to listen to them live or on the studio, on demand...what a World we live in...

  • @dutezore
    @dutezore 7 років тому +166

    Poly was one of the purest and best artists to come out of the punk era. As another 55 year old bloke I can say that she was what it's all about. She was so so far ahead of her time that if she was 16 now she would be so far ahead of anything today ...the world has never caught up with Poly to be truly honest you can also say that about Siouxsie as well.

    • @subse7enx
      @subse7enx 6 років тому +1

      so true

    • @CCM911
      @CCM911 6 років тому +3

      Another 55 your old here. Yup. This was (and is) some great punk.

    • @sweetvonbettie1
      @sweetvonbettie1 5 років тому

      Very true

    • @siobhanquinn2648
      @siobhanquinn2648 4 роки тому +2

      Im heading on 55 in july im from the mod northern soul era
      she was fantastic back in the day ❤❤❤💃🦇

    • @nolanschanck4861
      @nolanschanck4861 2 місяці тому

      60 year old, and still go back to the “classics”

  • @90dfender
    @90dfender 9 років тому +314

    the best female voice in punk.

    • @davidpatterson7934
      @davidpatterson7934 9 років тому +3

      don't forget Patti smith

    • @davidpatterson7934
      @davidpatterson7934 9 років тому +1

      don't forget Patti smith

    • @tomski787
      @tomski787 9 років тому +2

      +def ender
      Well, she DID have classical training....

    • @tomski787
      @tomski787 9 років тому +9

      +david patterson
      No true punk forgets Patti...some even call her the godmother of punk.
      I bought "Horses" when it was released, totally knocked me out. What a brilliant album, one of those life-changers...

    • @AYVSO
      @AYVSO 7 років тому +1

      bjork was best

  • @wk4max
    @wk4max 12 років тому +7

    i saw polly at erics 1978 she had the red jacket and black conductors style hat on . the tv cameras were there but i havent found the footage ,god they were so great that night /the worlds a duller place without her in it ! r.i,p [polly styrene]

  • @sketch591
    @sketch591 8 років тому +144

    This lady was at the front of the total punk movement of the 70s God rest her lovely soul. X

    • @monsieurlaguillotine3481
      @monsieurlaguillotine3481 8 років тому +3

      No she wasn't.

    • @wallerpaul70
      @wallerpaul70 8 років тому +2

      Who was?

    • @TheMeltdown23
      @TheMeltdown23 7 років тому +2

      Yes she was! ffs are you still going on? what a complete tool you are Lucius! do you just like being wrong and adamant! and not understanding bugger all?

    • @monsieurlaguillotine3481
      @monsieurlaguillotine3481 7 років тому +1

      TheMeltdown23 No she wasn't. You're the one still on this. You're the one who replied to a comment I made nearly a year ago. Go fuck yourself.

    • @monsieurlaguillotine3481
      @monsieurlaguillotine3481 7 років тому

      TheMeltdown23 Is that all? Go fuck yourself.

  • @shamsoni
    @shamsoni 3 роки тому +8

    Bought this when I was 14 am 57 was a Indian Punk Rocker in Coventry brilliant RIP polly legend

  • @phaedrussmith1949
    @phaedrussmith1949 4 роки тому +31

    This was pure punk genius. In those brief few years between when the over-stylized disco sound filled the airwaves, and right before the likes of Madonna came on the scene lamenting us with her teasy love songs and her processed glorification of being shallow and proud of it, there was Poly blasting out the truth with her rocket launcher vocal cords.

    • @toomuchinformation
      @toomuchinformation 3 роки тому +1

      "Her processed glorification of being shallow and proud of it". It's even worse now............

  • @DavidTaylor-sz2ec
    @DavidTaylor-sz2ec Рік тому +2

    Saw X-ray Spex in Eric’s late 78 I’m guessing, great night.

  • @gastrickbunsen1957
    @gastrickbunsen1957 2 роки тому +11

    Brilliant band and great vocalist.
    Someone said it wasn't punk?
    Quick, aggressive and emotional.
    If this *isn't* punk, what *is?*

  • @robertjohnston4280
    @robertjohnston4280 Рік тому +5

    No-one will ever be quite like Poly Styrene. Ever.

  • @TheGhostofCarlSchmitt
    @TheGhostofCarlSchmitt Рік тому +5

    haha this kinda sounds like good ol' Hawkwind without the psych effects. Love it!

    • @haxio17
      @haxio17 10 місяців тому

      Funny. My parent's mate Was in Hawkwind lol

  • @MrLimborace
    @MrLimborace 12 років тому +10

    RIP MS. Poly and a big kiss up to heaven.

  • @ameliaporter108
    @ameliaporter108 9 років тому +20

    I was born in 1999 so way after this came out but I am still listening to this music in 2015! Not because I think it's 'cool' and if you saw me I would be the last person you would expect to listen to this music, but my grandad is the biggest fan of punk/rock type of music and I used to listen to it with him and loved it from that point on I was the 5 year old girl singing 'oh bondage up yours' and wondering why people where laughing (now I understand). But it's some of my favourite music now! :)

    • @69Phuket
      @69Phuket 9 років тому

      +Amelia Porter Grandad is sure cool. Please listen to this if you have time.
      www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b054pp6c Radio Merseyside is a great institution.. ;)

    • @GeneTrujillo
      @GeneTrujillo 9 років тому +2

      +Amelia Porter I love the idea of a five year old girl belting out - "Little girls should be seen but not heard - oh bondage up yours!" That must have been something to see :)

    • @HarryPotterfan22222
      @HarryPotterfan22222 9 років тому +2

      I was born in 2000 but listen to a lot of punk. Nobody I know does but my mum did raise me on old 70s music so I guess that has something to do with me liking old music

    • @danielaschwarz1971
      @danielaschwarz1971 8 років тому

      +Britpopandindie Did she like the Sex Pistols too?

    • @HarryPotterfan22222
      @HarryPotterfan22222 8 років тому

      +Daniela Schwarz I don't actually know if she even liked X-Ray Spex let alone the Sex Pistols but I did grow up listening to old music from my mum, not actually punk though. I don't know if she liked punk, i've never really asked, but I still think that has something to do with me appreciating older music :)

  • @angiepanjie
    @angiepanjie 2 роки тому +9

    Absolutely love this song! I was 14 when it came out. Such exciting times musically. Rip Polystyrene❤️

  • @ethericboy
    @ethericboy 9 років тому +38

    What a lovely woman and talented singer,probably the best female singer EVER,and the lyrics! they just blew me away.she must be the most underrated "singer" ever

    • @monsieurlaguillotine3481
      @monsieurlaguillotine3481 8 років тому +3

      I can name twenty other no name singers better than her.

    • @peopleskarmasquad1042
      @peopleskarmasquad1042 8 років тому +8

      Lucius Vibius Calidus then name them, Mr negative ned

    • @melsu_x
      @melsu_x 6 років тому +1

      @@monsieurlaguillotine3481 doubt it

    • @monsieurlaguillotine3481
      @monsieurlaguillotine3481 5 років тому +1

      Because I was a shitty kid who thought he knew everything about everything.
      Consider when I made those comments.

  • @MrSirDrew
    @MrSirDrew 5 років тому +45

    Lyrics
    Identity
    Is the crisis
    Can't you see
    Identity identity
    When you look in the mirror
    Do you see yourself
    Do you see yourself
    On the t.v. screen
    Do you see yourself
    In the magazine
    When you see yourself
    Does it make you scream
    When you look in the mirror
    Do you smash it quick
    Do you take the glass
    And slash your wrists
    Did you do it for fame
    Did you do it in a fit
    Did you do it before
    You read about it

  • @guywatkin4274
    @guywatkin4274 2 роки тому

    I bumped into a lovely lady in Croydon in 1978 called Polystyrene, Guy Brighton aged 60

  • @stevious7278
    @stevious7278 3 роки тому +2

    I'm a 65 year old Australian bloke; and I loved this song when it came out, and still do now in 2021.
    Poly and the boys knew how to stir up some shit for sure!
    Remember, this was 1978; and here we are with identity at the center in 2021!
    Oh bondage, up yours! for sure!!

  • @punkuk1979
    @punkuk1979 Рік тому +1

    I was so happy when I bought the single it had the lyrics on the sleeve

  • @googleisgay3289
    @googleisgay3289 2 роки тому

    It's like she doesn't get it, that she is the one and only hope. O it makes me so hopeful, how she doesn't get it. Empty beautiful.

  • @kevinbutler7566
    @kevinbutler7566 5 місяців тому +2

    A PUNK'S moment of silence...R.I.P Poly Styrene 😔...🤘🎸🖤🎩💯

  • @davidorama6690
    @davidorama6690 2 роки тому +3

    Can’t dance. Can’t sing. Absolutely wonderful. ♥️

    • @garypautard1069
      @garypautard1069 5 місяців тому

      But that was what punk was about. Many youngsters at the time felt dis-connected from the long haired electronic keyboard super stars of that era and created their own music. Rough as hell but played with real enthusiasm .I wish we had it back now.

    • @reasonsreasonably
      @reasonsreasonably 5 місяців тому

      I disagree with the "can't dance, can't sing" comment, totally agree with Absolutely wonderful!! ❤

  • @257ian
    @257ian Рік тому +3

    I wish the camera person would have let us see the whole stage and the other band members, instead of just a full-on close up of Poly throughout the song.

  • @surplusvalue9914
    @surplusvalue9914 8 років тому +34

    superb, we adore her forever

  • @mrmarkie1965
    @mrmarkie1965 13 років тому +5

    No other words except WOW can describe this era of music Think i spent about 5 years of my life in some sort of trouble But it was worth it

  • @rondeewright3260
    @rondeewright3260 11 років тому +3

    polly was clearly ace and her songs are still relevant and dead fucking good. where are today's pollys?

  • @theclash3015
    @theclash3015 3 роки тому +1

    Punk & Sax, perfect combination.

  • @eileenmartinez4533
    @eileenmartinez4533 6 років тому +11

    Fan since a teen, she taught us all the lessons. Still listening in 2018

  • @Vv-oc6sx
    @Vv-oc6sx 4 роки тому +3

    They were brilliant. The lyrics of every single song hits hard with the sarcasm that punk is all about.

  • @goahead2050
    @goahead2050 3 роки тому +5

    Amo tanto que até choro.
    Mas é choro de alegria.
    Obrigada Poly
    Obrigada Punk Rock

    • @leologan8546
      @leologan8546 2 роки тому

      Também. É emocionante.O jeito dela...a forma de cantar. Só temos a agradecer.

  • @petermeredith3873
    @petermeredith3873 4 роки тому +1

    I love her so much

  • @robertjohnston4280
    @robertjohnston4280 Рік тому +2

    If this ain't punk, nothing is!!!!

  • @MrMcintee
    @MrMcintee 12 років тому +1

    My Father in Law who served his apprenticeship on the Ark of Noah and his Brother who served as a brickie on the wall around Hadrians grounds tells me the same , I agree ..

  • @andysandel9325
    @andysandel9325 5 років тому +1

    Absolutely Excellent Classic Outstanding Genius Of Masterpiece Totally Classic Of All-time, i recorded this amongst all Punk appearances on the TV with my portable tape recorder but sadly lost the exact cassette tapes 😎🔗❤🔒

  • @nasserabdi2630
    @nasserabdi2630 5 місяців тому

    RIP Marianne Joan Elliott-Said aka Poly Styrene (X-Ray Spex), Love from Somaliland ❤🤍💚

  • @brighteyes116
    @brighteyes116 13 років тому +6

    HAHAHAHAHAHAH when the sax starts. god i love this shit

  • @Mogsey1972
    @Mogsey1972 10 років тому +21

    R.I.P Poly xx

  • @oiboy39
    @oiboy39 12 років тому

    whatever this was punk rock, and Poly was a godess.Still is and and always will be.Bless her soul

  • @liamfinlay2714
    @liamfinlay2714 3 роки тому

    Shine on you crazy diamond 💎

  • @indianajune245
    @indianajune245 2 роки тому

    This is punk , and poly was a puck rock queen !

  • @martinashton5792
    @martinashton5792 5 місяців тому

    The Hope & Anchor … brilliant place

  • @AnonymousViewer
    @AnonymousViewer 4 роки тому +1

    I don't know if anyone has pointed this out but the sax bit sounded the like the same tune used in "My Favorite Game" by The Cardigans?

  • @jamesharryward5595
    @jamesharryward5595 3 роки тому

    Bless her ..... she is my 'Warrior in Woolworths' . Rock on Poly xxx

  • @yannisbskt
    @yannisbskt 3 роки тому

    Αιώνια της η μνήμη
    Ο Θεός ας την αναπαύσει

  • @alancox1444
    @alancox1444 5 років тому +2

    Awesome

  • @skulldrix
    @skulldrix 12 років тому +1

    There songs have such meaning.

  • @Schnurzpips
    @Schnurzpips 4 роки тому

    great song in 2020...greets from germany

  • @scottlandsman
    @scottlandsman 12 років тому +1

    So lucky i saw them a few years back at the roundhouse, still as sharp as ever. RIP Polly Styrene

  • @truemmerluemmel7623
    @truemmerluemmel7623 7 років тому

    loved the song back in the dayz

  • @ShikiraPressley
    @ShikiraPressley 11 років тому +51

    The only alternative 70's band to incorporate jazz and punk - damn gifted singer at the time, and okay different from main punk - still a statemnt group who knew how to get into the angry consciousness of the masses.

    • @LesNuvoles
      @LesNuvoles 11 років тому +14

      You don't need to have been born before a specific date in order to acknowledge the beauty and the importance of any band - that's what makes them great. That you can listen to them anytime and still appreciate them.

    • @kevpage1825
      @kevpage1825 10 років тому +3

      Gifted singer? In what way? She's using about four notes all sung with the passion of someone calling their kids back from the park.

    • @jamesbarrowcliffe3876
      @jamesbarrowcliffe3876 10 років тому +1

      Kev Page Kev. Fuck off.

    • @kevpage1825
      @kevpage1825 10 років тому +1

      Mark Barrowcliffe
      Such an erudite argument. Like most punk they were style over substance to a massive degree. Sad that she died but talented? Dictionaries exist to explain such terms.

    • @GeriHew
      @GeriHew 10 років тому +6

      Jazz? What Jazz? Having a sax player in the band doesn't automatically make you jazzy.

  • @marcosnogueira1082
    @marcosnogueira1082 Рік тому

    This is pure art.

  • @juliecook8890
    @juliecook8890 11 років тому +2

    Rip thanx for making my youth x

  • @drstevie
    @drstevie 8 років тому +2

    Fantastic !! I loved them. Still do.

  • @steverichmond3903
    @steverichmond3903 4 роки тому +1

    God bless Poly, a true Legend!

  • @いぬねこ-l9u
    @いぬねこ-l9u 4 роки тому

    大好き

  • @JoeyDNo3
    @JoeyDNo3 Рік тому +1

    Waste of a life a legend 🙏💝

  • @pascalomathghamhna4883
    @pascalomathghamhna4883 4 роки тому +2

    Poly Styrene was one of my fantasy women.

  • @PhilsPhotographyVids
    @PhilsPhotographyVids 3 роки тому

    Awesome talent
    R. I. P Beautiful Soul

  • @udor1962
    @udor1962 13 років тому

    the voice & saxophone in free interpration - it is so free in forbidden ...
    garage - psych - punk ? free is the world if this world have music ... TNX X-Ray-Specks ...

  • @kurtsimmons9735
    @kurtsimmons9735 3 роки тому

    Poly Styrene was gorgeous, but definitely had a weakness for chili cheese fries

  • @martinmatthews6728
    @martinmatthews6728 2 місяці тому

    New this brother 🙏🎶🎶❤
    Ryde may see saw …

  • @dino9928
    @dino9928 3 роки тому

    god bless her.

  • @Parsfan1885
    @Parsfan1885 12 років тому

    Quite right, punk started in the USA, it was being played in New York long before Britain. What became more recognised as punk emerged in Britain but there were so many different styles and the early US scene was important

  • @Hungry4Mor
    @Hungry4Mor 13 років тому

    Poly and co. Can sum up in one word - Brilliant!

  • @LarzGustafsson
    @LarzGustafsson 13 років тому

    She was lovely. Excellent band. Fantastic tune.

  • @bgfd1
    @bgfd1 12 років тому +5

    Thank you Polly for brightening up my life. Great talent and energy.

  • @aristotlebruce
    @aristotlebruce 13 років тому

    THE BEST BRITISH PUNK BAND

  • @AntoineBaumgartner
    @AntoineBaumgartner 3 роки тому

    Un de mes groupes préférés !

  • @fooman65
    @fooman65 9 років тому

    one of the best songs to come from that era for sure, great live version.

  • @jajoturbo3067
    @jajoturbo3067 5 років тому +3

  • @Thunda65
    @Thunda65 12 років тому

    A great song from a great band from a unique time in music- will never happen again, unfortunatley. She supposedly wrote this song after she saw a girl slash her wrists in a club toilet...

  • @garyrowsell4687
    @garyrowsell4687 17 днів тому

    Bloody great ❤

  • @IbrahimHoldsForth
    @IbrahimHoldsForth Рік тому

    In the early 80s when I studying in Boston (Harvard 82) she was big with the punk scene. Sadly she never visited the city.

  • @GermFreeAdolescents2
    @GermFreeAdolescents2 11 років тому +1

    Yep The Saints were awesome...saw them live and they really sounded great!

  • @AchimTheEagle
    @AchimTheEagle 4 роки тому

    I was only 7 years old when this song was released. Took me another 7 years to fall in love with the band. Same time when Motörhead became my all time favorite band. Good old times! ^^

  • @icebox766
    @icebox766 13 років тому

    @japinvt This is the soundboard mix. The vocals and sax are higher in the mix because in smaller venues the guitar and bass, with their own amps, don't need the same boost through the venue speakers that the voice and analog sax need. high vocals, softer guitars are common "features" of board mixes. I'm sure that the mix you'd have heard at the club would have not had the vocals as high in the mix.

  • @LarzGustafsson
    @LarzGustafsson 12 років тому

    Always a source of joy, pride and inspiration: X-Ray Spex!

  • @johnbaker563
    @johnbaker563 5 років тому +2

    Seen these in the play in Liverpool in the cavern club or Eric's rip Polly x

  • @grandetclaude5005
    @grandetclaude5005 10 років тому

    un classique de l'ere punk.

  • @ShikiraPressley
    @ShikiraPressley 9 років тому +1

    Never will there be another Polystyrene not in my lifetime anyway.

  • @MartinInBC
    @MartinInBC 12 років тому

    The earliest song I've ever been able to identify as punk is 'Demolicion' by Los Saicos from Peru. With Spanish lyrics saying "Let's destroy the railway station ... demolition!" in a gravelly voice across a surf-punk fast guitar, it dates from - incredibly - 1965.

  • @Dagobert99
    @Dagobert99 11 років тому +2

    I will always love you, Poly!

  • @hannahr2775
    @hannahr2775 4 роки тому

    shes an inspiration

  • @ThePsyndicate
    @ThePsyndicate 4 роки тому

    All hail the Queen!

  • @Reinemachefrau
    @Reinemachefrau 12 років тому

    Germ Free.. is the best punk album, no contest. I never saw this before, though. Thanks for posting!

  • @razmoe2000
    @razmoe2000 13 років тому

    forgot all about this. Thanks

  • @robertjohnston4280
    @robertjohnston4280 Рік тому

    This is the real stuff. Indisputably!!

  • @davidharrison6615
    @davidharrison6615 6 років тому

    so said to go so young . rip

  • @ericcrawford9827
    @ericcrawford9827 7 років тому

    Unique in all the best ways.

  • @skuffdup
    @skuffdup 12 років тому

    love this band,,,,way ahead of there time..

  • @k1dayone
    @k1dayone 2 роки тому

    her voice is crazy

  • @sshowgirl933
    @sshowgirl933 3 роки тому

    so good poly styrene

  • @brianwhitfield4604
    @brianwhitfield4604 11 років тому

    SEEN XRAY SPEX WITH THE CLASH 2 FIRST CLASS BANDS REST IN PEACE POLY AND JOE STRUMMER

  • @GermFreeAdolescents2
    @GermFreeAdolescents2 12 років тому

    we just love X-Ray Spex!

  • @manoloxines9113
    @manoloxines9113 6 років тому

    Love Poly...and the lads...obviously! 😊😊😊

  • @Livnacage9
    @Livnacage9 5 місяців тому +1

    God damn, I was born in the wrong era. I'm depress 🥲

  • @GARYINLEEDS
    @GARYINLEEDS 8 років тому +1

    Thanks for sharing,shared.