What Kind Of Hell was first released on the b-side of the 12″ of Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke: released on 3rd January 1984.
1983 recording/1984 release information
Running length: 2:42
Written By: Macdonald/Peters
Musicians
Mike Peters – Lead vocals
Dave Sharp – Electric guitar & backing vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass guitar & backing vocals
Twist – Drums, percussion & backing vocals
Recorded at Abbey Road Penthouse Studio, London, England on 26th November 1983.
Produced by Alan Shacklock and The Alarm. Engineered by Chris Porter.
Song Notes
Originally titled “Promised Land”. That was the title pencilled above the original draft lyric handwritten by myself onto the bottom of an old Seventeen poster. This song was a real live classic at the time and the version that came out with the “hiding” single was disappointment to many fans who had been anticipating this particular release. I feel “Hell” would have been a staple in the live set had it made it on to the “Declaration” album and gained a wider audience. (Mike Peters, Second Generation Album Notes, 1995)
Other Studio Versions of The Song – 1982 Demo version
Running length: tbc
Written By: Macdonald/Peters
Musicians
Mike Peters – Lead vocals & bass guitar
Dave Sharp – Electric guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Electric guitar
Twist – Drums
Recorded at IRS Basement Studios, London, England
Album Appearances and discography – 1982 Demo version
Worldwide Releases
2000 – The Alarm – Eponymous (1981-1983) – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C010. (Part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C018)
Album Appearances and discography
Single Appearances and discography
Live Recordings
Acoustic Recordings
Lyrics
Here I stand with the book in my right hand
Every word I say is the truth
Here I am with my hand on my heart
Trying to represent me and you
Piled high in front of my eyes
The evidence you cannot ignore
Sick and tired of wasting my life
Sick and tired of wasting my time
What kind of hell
What kind of hell am I living in
Only time will tell
What kind of hell
What kind of hell am I living in
Only time will tell
Let the judge come into the room
I want him to hear every word said
Let the trial begin with the accusations
I lay at your feet
Your defence is crumbling slowly
You cannot get a witness to stand
What’s it like when millions of voices
Stand up and call you a cheat
What kind of hell
What kind of hell am I living in
Only time will tell
What kind of hell
What kind of hell am I living in
Only time will tell
Judgement is coming
Make no mistake
In time, in time, in time
You’ll be judged as you did judge yourself, yourself
I’ve seen the world from twelve misty mountains
Travelled down the roads in the east (what kind of hell)
I’ve seen the sun set red in the distance
Rise up to the light of the day (what kind of hell)
I see the truth in the eyes of the children
Walking in the sight of a gun (what kind of hell)
I’ve had the world in the palm of my hand
For you I’d cast it all in the fire
What kind of hell
What kind of hell am I living in
Only time will tell