The Smiths - Barbarism Begins At Home (first ever live version)

The Smiths first ever live performance of Barbarism Begins At Home. Recorded 19th Dec 1983 at The Electric Ballroom, London.

This early version differs greatly from the studio version recorded for Meat is Murder.

It is not as refined or polished as the later incarnation and this sadly, was recorded on a walkman, so the quality is not mixing desk!

But it has it's charms and has many more lyrics.

Check out the impromptu crowd participation at the end - couterpointing Mr Joyce. Pretty cool I think since none of us had ever heard the track before. And what a really great gig it was!

This is a bit special, as The Smiths never played this version again!

"One for the bootleg, friends!"

Lyrics: -

Unruly boys
who will not grow up
must be taken in hand
Unruly boys
who will not grow up
they must be taken in hand
A crack on the head
is what you get for not asking
and a crack on the head
is what you get for asking

Unruly girls
who will not settle down
they must be taken in hand
Unruly girls
who will not settle down
they must be taken in hand
A crack on the head
is what you get for not asking
and a crack on the head
is what you get for asking

A crack on the head
is what you get for not asking
and a crack on the head
is what you get for asking

A crack on the head
is what you get
a crack on the head
is what you get for never asking
never

A crack on the head
that's what you get
because you never ask
and a crack in the groin
is what you get and more....

A crack on the head
is what you get
because you never asked me first

A crack on the head
is what you get
cos you must be kept in place

A crack on the head
A warp on your mind oh....

I've always been such a decent lad
I've always been such a decent lad
I swear
I've always been such a decent lad
I don't know what came over me today
I've always been such a decent lad oh....

A crack on the head
is what you get for not asking
A crack on the head
is what you get
that's for asking oh....

Unruly boys
who will not grow up
must be taken in hand
Unruly girls
who will not settle down
they must be taken in hand

Unruly boys
who will not grow up
they must be taken in hand
I am the man....

I am the man!
I am the man!
I am the man!

I am the man
to keep you in place
I'm the man you need
to keep you in place
Unruly boys
Unruly girls
I'm your man

I'm your man....

I am the man!
I am the man!
I am the man!
I am the man!
I am! I am the man!
I am the man!
I am the man!
I am the... I'm your man!
I am the man!
I am the man
to keep you in line
I am the man!

A crack on the head
Oh that should keep you in place

I'm the man!
I am the man!