Song Details
- Album Release Date: 1979
- Album Name: Inflammable Material
Song Meaning (Interpretation) of “Suspect Device” by Stiff Little Fingers
“Suspect Device” is a political punk rock anthem about the struggles of life in a post-industrial Britain at the hands of government and corporate elites who have pushed people to the brink. The lyrics lament the broken dreams and poverty experienced by many of the population, described here as being “down on their luck” and “staring into space.” The title refers to the device of authority in the form of the police, welfare and tax policies, which the narrator describes as having a sinister effect on the poor, who will always be “suspect” in their eyes. While the song is critical of these forces, it also issues a call of defiance to confront the injustice and speaks of solidarity amongst the oppressed. The song’s narrator asserts that together they can “tear this suspect device apart” and take back their lives from the oppressive powers.