Illegal Attacks
Encyclopedia
"Illegal Attacks" is a single by Ian Brown
featured on the album The World Is Yours
.
"Illegal Attacks" was released as the album's lead single on October 8, 2007, and was a contentious track, dealing head-on with the political issues of the day. Sinéad O'Connor
is featured as a guest vocalist on the track. The opening notes of the song are plucked softly in arpeggios, which are juxtaposed with the confrontational opening line, "So what the fuck is this UK?" The song then pulses with an ominous, grinding cello, and culminates with Ian Brown pleading earnestly for the return of British soldiers to their homeland:
"Soldiers, soldiers come home Soldiers come home"
When the song was played on BBC Radio 1
during the Top 40 countdown, the song was preceded by an announcement, claiming that Brown's views did not necessarily reflect those of the BBC. Its peak position on the UK Singles Chart
was number 16.
The single was described by NME as another example of Ian Brown's "godlike genius...an unforgettable plea to world leaders to 'Cop the fook on.'"
Ian Brown
Ian George Brown is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses, which broke up in 1996 but are confirmed to reunite in 2012. Since the break-up of the Stone Roses he has pursued a solo career...
featured on the album The World Is Yours
The World Is Yours (Ian Brown album)
The World is Yours is the fifth solo album by Ian Brown, released on the October 15, 2007.In making the album, Brown enlisted the help of The Smiths and Happy Mondays bassists Andy Rourke and Paul Ryder respectively. He also sought the services of Paul McCartney to play bass on one of the tracks,...
.
"Illegal Attacks" was released as the album's lead single on October 8, 2007, and was a contentious track, dealing head-on with the political issues of the day. Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
is featured as a guest vocalist on the track. The opening notes of the song are plucked softly in arpeggios, which are juxtaposed with the confrontational opening line, "So what the fuck is this UK?" The song then pulses with an ominous, grinding cello, and culminates with Ian Brown pleading earnestly for the return of British soldiers to their homeland:
"Soldiers, soldiers come home Soldiers come home"
When the song was played on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
during the Top 40 countdown, the song was preceded by an announcement, claiming that Brown's views did not necessarily reflect those of the BBC. Its peak position on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
was number 16.
The single was described by NME as another example of Ian Brown's "godlike genius...an unforgettable plea to world leaders to 'Cop the fook on.'"
CD single
- "Illegal Attacks" Feat. Sinéad O'Connor) - 5:25
- "Illegal Attacks" Sway Soldier Story Remix) - 4:30
7" vinyl
- "Illegal Attacks" (Feat. Sinéad O'Connor)
- "Keep What Ya Got" (BBC Live Lounge Session Feat. Noel Gallagher)
Gatefold 7" vinyl
- "Illegal Attacks" (Feat. Sinéad O'Connor)
- "Illegal Attacks" (Sway Soldier Story Remix)