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'Violence' first appeared on the Please album in 1986. It was later re-produced and released on single releases of 'I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing' in 1993.

Production and recording[]

The song began with an inspiration from a bass sound on the PPG, which appears on the recording. Helena Springs sings backup vocals on the track.

The Haçienda Version of this song was originally performed at the Haçienda Club in 1992. It was programmed by Chris and they liked it so much, they recorded it in the studio.

Lyrics[]

Violence was the last track written for Please. According to Neil, the song deals with the Northern Ireland situation.

At this time there were bombs in London. It was also partly inspired by another Penelope Spheeris film, The /Boys Next Door, which is about two teenagers who go up to lots of people in Los Angeles shopping malls... The song is really about how violence is male. It's a male concept.

 The sons and brothers
 fighting for another cause
 anything to give their lives some meaning
 busy with their guns and dreaming
 far away from here
 said they would act in self-defence
 
 And all the others
 running 'round so hot and bothered
 anything to give their lives some meaning
 in the evening
 running around with guns and
 said they would act in self-defence
 with violence
 
 Violence
 Violence
 Violence breeds violence
 Violence breeds
 
 The son and brother
 when he gets home
 he gives someone some love
 and mutters
 'Woman, you'll never understand
 I did what I said in self-defence
 with violence
 
 Violence breeds violence
 Violence breeds violence
 Violence breeds violence
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