@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Hey neighbor let me give you some advice
The Russians are about to pulverize us
In our sleep tonight
That is if the crazy Arabs
Or the riots don't get us first
And the fire will rain down from the sky
The fire will rain down from the sky
People will die--People will die
People will die--People will die
But go ahead sleep tight in your beds
Remember what the wise man said
CHORUS
There's nothing to fear nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
And the temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop now . . .
Hey little girl won't you come this way
Won't you let me buy you candy or perhaps a chocolate shake
Or perhaps some nice cocaine or perhaps a little kiss
Or perhaps a ride in my big car
Perhaps a ride in my big car
Won't you make an old man happy
Won't you make an old man happy
Won't you let me show you paradise
(Don't ask your mother for advice)
CHORUS
If they don't turn you into a junkie or a zombie on the street
If they don't turn you into a yo-cat or a grinning Jesus freak
If they don't take away your brains or turn your body inside out
If they don't take away your passion with a color TV set
They'll take away your heart and soul
They'll take away your heart and soul
They'll take away your heart and soul
Don't let them take away your heart and soul
But remember what the wise man said
CHORUS
The Russians are about to pulverize us
In our sleep tonight
That is if the crazy Arabs
Or the riots don't get us first
And the fire will rain down from the sky
The fire will rain down from the sky
People will die--People will die
People will die--People will die
But go ahead sleep tight in your beds
Remember what the wise man said
CHORUS
There's nothing to fear nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
And the temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop now . . .
Hey little girl won't you come this way
Won't you let me buy you candy or perhaps a chocolate shake
Or perhaps some nice cocaine or perhaps a little kiss
Or perhaps a ride in my big car
Perhaps a ride in my big car
Won't you make an old man happy
Won't you make an old man happy
Won't you let me show you paradise
(Don't ask your mother for advice)
CHORUS
If they don't turn you into a junkie or a zombie on the street
If they don't turn you into a yo-cat or a grinning Jesus freak
If they don't take away your brains or turn your body inside out
If they don't take away your passion with a color TV set
They'll take away your heart and soul
They'll take away your heart and soul
They'll take away your heart and soul
Don't let them take away your heart and soul
But remember what the wise man said
CHORUS
Lyrics submitted by mister_zero
Nothing to Fear (But Fear Itself) Lyrics as written by Danny Elfman
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think that this song is saying how screwed up our world is today, how there is constant war, and old men suducing little girls. But then it's saying not to fear, to just sleep tight in our beds, or in other words just be ignorant to the world around you. I tihnk that the 'they' Boingo is refering to is everyone around us and if we don't become like them, then we will be soulless-- at least we will think we will be soulless. But we have to remember we don't have to become like 'them', we don't have to fear them taking away our souls either that's my take on it
I think that some component of this song is in response to to the scaremongering and sensationalism that is rampant in the news today (though I can't speak for conditions in 1982). I could easily be wrong.
@ccbubblegum It hasn't changed... that's the irony.
I've always interpreted as shit happens, life goes on ("People die...don't be afraid") It seems like it's saying that in the end, we'll all have to make it through.
Creepy how this song can connect to our world situation. I mean, in 1982 it had relevance. The song mentions the Russians (the Cold War had been going on since the 60's) and it mentions Arabs (which we can assimilate to our current situation).
And the "wise man" would be Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President during World War II who famously uttered the phrase, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
While it's not a strict reference to any particular subject, the song does play on fears of people during those days. A good song, nonetheless.
Boingo has a lot of songs about this sort of thing.
Live like the world is coming to an end. Don't be afraid of anything, and yes 'shit happens'.
This song is sarcastic. It's saying there IS plenty to fear.
The real message is in the final bridge where at the end he repeats “They’ll take away your heart and soul”. He’s referring to sensationalist media back then and the fear mongering that is now the standard format for television today.
Basically saying living a life in constant fear is not a life at all.