Faster/P.C.P.

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“Faster/P.C.P.”
Single by Manic Street Preachers from the album The Holy BIble
Released	June 6, 1994
Format	CD, Vinyl record (10"), cassette
Recorded	Early 1994
Genre	Rock
Length	3:55 ("Faster") 3:55 ("P.C.P.")
Label	Epic
Producer	Steve Brown
Manic Street Preachers singles chronology
"Life Becoming a Landslide EP" (1994) "Faster/P.C.P." (1994) "Revol" (1994)

"Faster/P.C.P." is the double A-side lead single released by Manic Street Preachers from their third studio album, The Holy Bible.

The title "Faster" can both be interpreted as one who abstains from eating (a personal issue of lyricist Richey James Edwards) or in regards to quick speed. The spoken word introduction ("I hate purity...") is taken from the film version of George Orwell's 1984. The lyric "if you stand up like a nail then you will be knocked down" is a Chinese proverb, referring to the probable results of differing from common consensus opinion or standards, as happened to 1984 protagonist Winston Smith.

"P.C.P." is thought to be a protest against politically correct censorship. The title P.C.P. stands for police constable and Political Correctness (P.C.), in combination with conservative party (c.p.). Other meanings may include Plaid Cymru, the Welsh independence political party, especially regarding "bilingual signs on view". In addition, P.C.P. is also a drug - Phencyclidine, otherwise known as angel dust - which causes its users to be delusional and agitated. The song is a constant barrage of confused orders, statements and bizarre scenarios to reflect this involving health risks, political situations and pseudo religions declarations such as "Be pure, be vigilant, behave" which is a quote from 2000 AD's Nemesis the Warlock.

Contents 1 Track listing 1.1 CD 1.2 10" 1.3 MC 2 Top of the Pops 3 External links/Source

[edit] Track listing

[edit] CD

1. "Faster"
2. "P.C.P."
3. "Sculpture Of Man"
4. "New Art Riot (Live In E Minor At Clapham Grand, London, 2nd March 1994)"

[edit] 10"

1. "Faster"
2. "P.C.P."
3. "Sculpture Of Man"

[edit] MC

1. "Faster"
2. "P.C.P."

[edit] Top of the Pops

The band performed "Faster" on Top of the Pops with lead singer James Dean Bradfield wearing an IRA-style balaclava with his first name scrawled over his forehead, with the rest of the band wearing military regalia. Many viewers interpreted this as a show of support for the IRA and the BBC told the band that a record number of complaints had been received.

Vic Reeves, presenting the show, said of the song, "I really enjoyed that pop record. Did you Bob?".

[edit] External links/Source

[1] Site with interpretations of Manic Street Preachers lyrics.

v • d • e Manic Street Preachers James Dean Bradfield • Nicky Wire • Sean Moore Flicker (Miles Woodward)  • Richey James Edwards Studio albums "Generation Terrorists" (1992) • "Gold Against the Soul" (1993) • "The Holy Bible" (1994) • "Everything Must Go" (1996) • "This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours" (1998) • "Know Your Enemy" (2001) • "Lifeblood" (2004) • "Send Away the Tigers" (2007) Singles and EPs "Suicide Alley" (1989) • "New Art Riot EP" (1990) • "Motown Junk" (1991) • "You Love Us (Heavenly Version)" (1991) • "Feminine Is Beautiful" (1991) • "Stay Beautiful" (1991) • "Love's Sweet Exile/Repeat" (1991) • "You Love Us" (1991) • "Slash 'N' Burn" (1992) • "Motorcycle Emptiness" (1992) • "Little Baby Nothing" (1992) • "Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)" (1992) • "From Despair To Where" (1993) • "La Tristesse Durera (Scream To A Sigh)" (1993) • "Roses In The Hospital" (1993) • "Life Becoming A Landslide EP" (1994) • "Faster/P.C.P." (1994) • "Revol" (1994) • "She Is Suffering" (1994) • "A Design for Life" (1996) • "Everything Must Go" (1996) • "Kevin Carter" (1996) • "Australia" (1996) • "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" (1998) • "The Everlasting" (1998) • "You Stole The Sun From My Heart" (1999) • "Tsunami" (1999) • "The Masses Against The Classes" (2000) • "Found That Soul" (2001) • "So Why So Sad" (2001) • "Ocean Spray" (2001) • "Let Robeson Sing" (2001) • "There By The Grace Of God" (2002) • "The Love Of Richard Nixon" (2004) • "Empty Souls" (2005) • "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough" (2007) • "Autumnsong" (2007) • "Indian Summer" (2007) Promos "UK Channel Boredom" (1990) • "God Save The Manics EP" (2005) • " Underdogs" (2007) • "Ghost Of Christmas" (2007) Other releases "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" (1995)  • "Know Our B-Sides" (2001)  • Leviathan" (2005)  • "The Instrumental" (2006) • "Umbrella" (2008) Compilation albums "Forever Delayed" (2002) • "Lipstick Traces" (2003) Box Sets "Six Singles from Generation Terrorists" (1997) Videos "Everything Live" (1997) • "Leaving the 20th Century" (2000) • "Louder Than War" (2001) • "Forever Delayed" (2002) Official book "Forever Delayed" (2002) Related articles Manic Street Preachers Discography Manic Street Preachers B-sides