Back Into The System was the title track of the first solo single released by Mike Peters in 1994. The promotional video for this single was partly recorded at Rhyl Town Hall, Wales on Saturday 18th December 1993 at Gathering 2.
1994 Single Release recording details
Running length: 4:40 (Edit version)
Running length: 5:01 (Full version)
Written By: Mike Peters
Musician & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Guitars, Harmonica
Jules Jones – Piano and Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Brychan LLyr – Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Backing Vocals
Chris Lewis – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Emyr Penlan – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Owen Thomas – Acoustic, Electric Drums, Backing Vocals
Recorded at Sain Studios, LLandwrog, Wales
Ambient Feedback recorded at The Fort by Field Marshall Slug
Produced by Michael Peters
Co Produced and Engineered by Dick Meaney
Assistant Engineers – Eryl Davies, Emyr Rhys, Gethyn Evans
Executive Producer – Alan Shacklock
Alternative studio recordings
2011 – The Alarm – The Sound And The Fury – 30th Anniversary Edition
Running length : 3:34
Musicians
Mike Peters – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
James Stevenson – Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Craig Adams – Bass guitar
Mark Taylor – Piano
Steve “Smiley” Barnard – Drums, Percussion
Recorded at Foel Studio, Llanfair Caereinion, Wales.
Additional recording at Pink Gun Studios, London, England and Sonic Hills, Guildford, England
Produced by Mike Peters and Smiley
Recorded and mixed by Chris Fielding
Additional recording by Mark Warden
Album appearances and discography for studio versions
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
1994 : Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe. Crai Records, catalogue number CRAI 47LP. Double vinyl album.
Full version
NB Back Into The System does not appear on the CD release.
2008 : Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe (Deluxe Edition). Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C046 (2CD + DVD box set). 1994 Full version recording.
2011 : The Alarm – The Sound And The Fury – 30th Anniversary Edition. Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C056 (CD). 2011 New recording
Single appearances and discography
Worldwide Release
1994 : 12″ vinyl single – Back Into The System – Track listing : Back Into The System (edit) / A New Chapter / 21st Century (Demo Version) / Back Into The System – Crai Records, catalogue number CRAI 40T
1994 : CD – Back Into The System – Track listing : Back Into The System (Edit) / A New Chapter / 21st Century (Demo Version) / Back Into The System – Crai Records, catalogue number CRAI 40CD
1994 : Cassette Single – Back Into The System – Track listing : Back Into The System (Edit) / A New Chapter / Nol I Mewn I’r System / Canrif 21 (Fersiwn Demo) – Crai Records, catalogue number CRAI 40C
Officially released live recordings – Audio
All the following are Worldwide releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
24th August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running Length 5:10 Mike Peters Solo acoustic.
Released in 2003 on Alarmstock Volume 5 – The Dirt And The Glory
6th August 2005. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London NW8, England
Running Length 4:41 Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III London Set tbc
22nd October 2010. Record at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, Scotland
Running Length 2:25 Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2010 Mike Peters // The Alarm – Direct Acoustic MMX live in Glasgow, catalogue number 21C054
24th November 2011. Record at Marrs Bar, Worcester, England
Running Length 3:11. Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2012 Mike Peters of the Alarm – 30th Anniversary Acoustic Alarm Tour 1981-2011, catalogue number 21C059
Lyrics
Surfers against sewage
Floating in the sea
Rising up like a big disease
In glorious 3-D
Samplers against the copyright law
And all that that means
Bikers riding to be helmet free
In the California heat
The battle of the sexes
Is raging on the streets
With gays against homophobic assholes
Feminists on heat
I used to be indecisive
But now I’m not so sure
About my religion
My nationality
My sexuality
Dededododedode
Too many people taking too much out
Too many people not putting enough back in
Back into the system
(Too many people taking too much out)
Back into the system
(Too many people not putting enough back in)
Back into the system
(Too many people taking too much out)
Back into the system
(Too many people not putting enough back in)
Back into the system
The wars on television
Between cola drinks and jeans
Soap Powders and detergents
Breakfast cereals and beans
The hungry don’t eat commercials
The thirsty don’t drink dreams
They all wear the trousers of a dirty grudge
Against big company
Dededododedode
Too many people taking too much out
Too many people not putting enough back in
Back into the system
(Too many people taking too much out)
Back into the system
(Too many people not putting enough back in)
Back into the system
(Too many people taking too much out)
Back into the system
(Too many people not putting enough back in)
Back into the system
Punks get high on dope
Priests get off on God
Sinead O’Conner gets her kicks
From ripping up pictures of the Pope
U2 against Sellafield and all atomic dread
Me I’ve been compared to them so many times
I wish somebody would nuke those suckers Instead
Dededododedode
Too many people taking too much out
Too many people not putting enough back in
Back into the system
(Too many people taking too much out)
Back into the system
(Too many people not putting enough back in)
Back into the system
(Too many people taking too much out)
Back into the system
(Too many people not putting enough back in)
Back into the system
I’m getting back into the system
I’m getting picked up by the system
I’m going crooked to the system
I’m getting back into the system
Audio & Visual sources
The official Back Into The System promotion video appears on the DVD of the Breathe (Deluxe Edition). Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C046 (2CD + DVD box set) –
Video Link – this is a copy of the promotional video as uploaded to Youtube (nb low volume quality)
(Page updated 03/07/2021)