What makes Baby's Got a Gun by The Only Ones notable?

Baby's Got a Gun is notable for its provocative themes and sharp social commentary, particularly in tracks like Why Don’t You Kill Yourself?. It received critical acclaim upon release and has been cited as an influential work in the punk and new wave movements, helping to shape the sound of British music in the late 1970s. Released in early 1979, Baby's Got a Gun was The Only Ones' second studio album, following their self-titled debut. At this point in their career, the band had begun to establish a reputation for their unique sound that combined punk rock with more melodic and lyrical elements. This album came during a time when they were transitioning from emerging artists into a more defined presence in the UK music scene.

How many songs are on Baby's Got a Gun?

Baby's Got a Gun has 12 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Baby's Got a Gun

The Only Ones · 1979

38 min · 12 tracks · new wave

A raw blend of punk energy and new wave sensibility, marked by sharp lyrics and eclectic instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Why Don’t You Kill Yourself? — This track stands out for its darkly humorous take on despair, blending catchy melodies with stark lyrics that challenge listeners' perceptions of mental health.
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Oh Lucinda (Love Becomes a Habit) — With its infectious hook and ironic lyrics about love's pitfalls, this song encapsulates the band's knack for marrying pop sensibilities with punk ethos.
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The Big Sleep — This track showcases the band's ability to craft anthemic choruses while maintaining an edgy, rebellious spirit, making it a highlight of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album blends punk energy with eclectic songwriting, showcasing both rawness and lyrical depth.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a high energy level, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and instrumentation.
Several songs incorporate unconventional song structures, such as abrupt changes in dynamics and tempo, which challenge traditional verse-chorus forms.
The lyrics often employ sharp social commentary, with some tracks featuring spoken word sections that contrast with the musical backdrop.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Oh Lucinda (Love Becomes a Habit) 3:08
2 The Happy Pilgrim 2:31
3 Why Don’t You Kill Yourself? 2:41
4 Me and My Shadow 5:41
5 Deadly Nightshade 3:07
6 Strange Mouth 2:29
7 My Way out of Here 3:52
8 The Big Sleep 5:00
9 Re‐Union 2:57
10 Fools 2:22
11 Castle Built on Sand 1:48
12 Trouble in the World 3:04

What to play next

Listen next

Even Serpents Shine

1979

Go back to

Another Girl, Another Planet

1978

Full The Only Ones discography Artists like The Only Ones

new wave

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata