Broken Heroes

Album: Innocence Is No Excuse (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is recognizably an anti-war song. In his memoir Never Surrender..., frontman Biff Byford said it was inspired by the Falklands War, although it contains clear references to earlier conflicts, in particular the Vietnam War and World War I.
  • In the UK it is widely (and correctly) believed that the Falklands War of 1982 was fought principally at the behest of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for the ignoble purpose of securing her re-election, a tactic that was successful. Byford makes it clear in his book that he hated Thatcher for reasons related to domestic policy, in particular the way she smashed the power of the miners and (in his view) decimated mining communities. His father was a miner who had lost an arm in an industrial accident, and Biff himself served a short stint in a coal mine.
  • "Broken Heroes" is the sixth track - the first on side 2 - of the 1985 Innocence Is No Excuse album. Running 5:27, it was written by Biff Byford with the band's bass player, Steve Dawson. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 3

Comments: 1

  • Bo from Montana, U.s.aWhat an incredible song, great lyrics, great sound. A very underrated band !
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New York

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New YorkSong Writing

Our chat with Barney Hoskyns, who covers the wild years of Woodstock - the town, not the festival - in his book Small Town Talk.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.