Straight A's

Album: Give Me Convenience OR Give Me Death (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Long before bullying became a huge issue in America, this song took on the topic of teen suicide and the underbelly of American school culture. In the song, a teenager with top grades is tormented by his classmates and contemplates suicide.

    It was written by Dead Kennedys guitarist 6025, known to his parents as Carlos Cadona. He was with the band from the summer of 1978 until spring of 1979, and wrote a few of their songs, providing an alternative to Jello Biafra's politically charged lyrics.
  • Dead Kennedys performed this song live in 1979 at a popular San Francisco Punk venue called The Deaf Club. This performance became part of a 1980 compilation album called Can You Hear Me? Music From The Deaf Club, which also featured DK performances of "Police Truck" and "Short Songs" as well as songs from other Punk bands. "Straight A's" later appeared in studio form on their Give Me Convenience OR Give Me Death compilation album. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Dan - Harrison, NJ

Comments: 3

  • Richard from San Diego, CaThis song was recorded in 1979. Give Me Convenience... was a compilation of non-album tracks released after the band had broken up.
  • Zach from Easton, PaThis was written by their original rhythm guitarist, 6025, along with "Ill in the Head", "Forward To Death", "Short Songs", and probably others I forget.
  • Sid from BirminghamTwas me who got this song added. I love this song beyond all doubt and it is easily one of their best live singles out there, only to be bested by "Pull My Strings"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.