Singles 1978-1982

• Artist: U.K. Subs
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1991
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rock

Review

Cramming 28 tracks into a lean 59 minutes, Singles compiles every A- and B-side released by U.K. Subs during the height of their influence. While the strictly singles format omits some classic album tracks such as "Emotional Blackmail" and "Down on the Farm," what remains is an hour of punchy, melodic punk rock. In fact, the album reveals the Subs as a true missing link between hardcore English punk and '60s music. It's not just the covers of the Zombies' "She's Not There" and the Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting for the Man." The instrumental "The Harper," with its bluesy guitar licks and harmonica, sounds like a revved-up Yardbirds song, and "Keep on Running" could have fit on the legendary Nuggets anthology. The Subs also have an element that distinguishes them from too many other punk acts: a sense of humor. "New York State Police" is a hilarious swipe at police brutality, while "Teenage" is a dead-on satire of young consumerism. Singles is not only a worthy anthology for fans, who will be pleased that many difficult-to-find tracks are compiled in one place, but will also be the perfect intro to newcomers to one of the best, most underrated bands in punk history. ~ Victor W. Valdivia, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
C.I.D.	Charlie Harper	U.K. Subs	(1:56)
I Live in a Car	Charlie Harper	U.K. Subs	(1:26)
B.I.C.	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(1:35)
Stranglehold	Charlie Harper	U.K. Subs	(2:28)
World War	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(1:07)
Rockers	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(2:11)
Tomorrow's Girls	Charlie Harper	U.K. Subs	(2:25)
Scum of the Earth	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(2:20)
Telephone Numbers	Charlie Harper, Paul Slack, Rory Lyons, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(1:06)
She's Not There	Rod Argent	U.K. Subs	(1:37)
Kicks	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(1:23)
Victim	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(:58)
The Same Thing	Charlie Harper, Paul Slack, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(1:22)
Warhead	Charlie Harper, Paul Slack	U.K. Subs	(3:05)
The Harper	Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(1:08)
Waiting for the Man	Lou Reed	U.K. Subs	(2:22)
Teenage	Charlie Harper	U.K. Subs	(2:38)
Left for Dead	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(1:30)
New York State Police	Charlie Harper, Paul Slack, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(2:43)
Party in Paris	Charlie Harper	U.K. Subs	(2:54)
Fall of the Empire	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(2:15)
Keep on Running (Til You Burn)	Alvin Gibbs, Charlie Harper	U.K. Subs	(2:35)
Perfect Girl	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(2:01)
Ice Age [*]	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(2:50)
Self-Destruct [*]	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(2:27)
Police State [*]	Charlie Harper, Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(3:16)
War of the Roses [*]	Nicky Garratt	U.K. Subs	(2:17)
Anti-Warfare [*]	Charlie Harper	U.K. Subs	(3:21)

Credits

Steve Hackett (Liner Notes), Captain Sensible (Keyboards), Pete Davies (Drums), Pete Davies (Drums (Snare)), Alvin Gibbs (Bass), Charlie Harper (Vocals), Steve Roberts (Drums), Steve Roberts (Drums (Snare)), Paul Slack (Bass), U.K. Subs (Main Performer), Steve Hackket (Liner Notes), Nixx (Cover Design), Pearl Slack (Vocals), Stephan Thiemann (Concept), Nicky Garratt (Guitar)