So you think I'm alone?
But being alone's the only way to be
When you step outside
You spend life fighting for your sanity

This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?

If you want to be free (if you want to be free)
Below the ground's the only place to be
'Cause in this life ('cause in this life)
You spend time running from depravity

This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?

Bring wings to the weak and bring grace to the strong
May all evil stumble as it flies in the world
All the tribes comes and the mighty will crumble
We must brave this night and have faith in love

I'm trying to find my peace (we're trying to find our peace)
I was made to believe
There's something wrong with me (there's nothing wrong with me)
And it hurts my heart (it really hurts my heart)
Lord have mercy, ain't it plain to see?

That this is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for

This is a cold
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
Kellindo

(Ooh-ooh)
Na-na-na
Na-na-na
Na-na-na, oh, na-na-na (there's nothing wrong with me)

Ohh
(Na-na-na-na-na-na)
(Do you know what you're fighting for?)
Do you know it's a cold, cold war? (Na-na-na-na-na-na)
Do you? Do you? (Do you know what you're fighting for?)
Do you? (This is a cold)
(Na-na-na-na-na-na) ahh
(Do you know what you're fighting for?) Ahh
(This is a cold, na-na-na-na-na-na)
(Do you know what you're fighting for?) Oh
It's a cold, cold war (bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye)
You better know what you're fighting for

Bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye
Bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye
Bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye


Lyrics submitted by dejavula, edited by zatcheryt, smallwonderrobot, LivingInAStateOfDreaming

Cold War Lyrics as written by Janelle Monae Robinson Charles L Joseph

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Cold War song meanings
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  • +8
    General Comment

    I think this song speaks to the experience of being an outsider, especially being part of a minority group. The lines "When you step outside/You spend life fighting for your sanity" and "If you wanna be free/Below the ground's the only place to be" speaks to trying to live your life as who you are, as a kind of resistance. I think cold war is a metaphor for the subtlety and pervasiveness of the messages and power structures that tell groups of people that there is something wrong with them. The cold war was long and unique in that there was not a lot of direct conflict between the two main antagonists. It was mostly carried out through covert means which is a great metaphor for the class/culture/race conflicts that happen in this country. They are not always obvious but they are devastatingly painful for the people who live with the brunt of it, as Monae's music video heartbreakingly portrays.

    It's an amazing song. Simple, catchy and powerful. Lady Gaga could learn a thing or two from Janelle Monae.

    ShoshiRosieon February 15, 2011   Link

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