This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Twist away the gates of steel
Unlock the secret voice
Give in to ancient noise
Take a chance a brand new dance
Twist away the gates of steel
Twist away, now twist and shout
The earth it moves too slow
But the earth is all we know
We pay to play the human way
Twist away the gates of steel
A man is real
Not made of steel
But the earth is all we know
We pay to play the human way
Twist away the gates of steel
The beginning was the end
Of everything now
The ape regards his tail
He's stuck on it
Repeats until he fails
Half a goon and half a god
A man's not made of steel
Twist away, now twist and shout
The earth it moves too slow
But the earth is all we know
We pay to play the human way
Twist away the gates of steel
A man is real that's how he feels
Unlock the secret voice
Give in to ancient noise
Take a chance a brand new dance
Twist away the gates of steel
Twist away, now twist and shout
The earth it moves too slow
But the earth is all we know
We pay to play the human way
Twist away the gates of steel
A man is real
Not made of steel
But the earth is all we know
We pay to play the human way
Twist away the gates of steel
The beginning was the end
Of everything now
The ape regards his tail
He's stuck on it
Repeats until he fails
Half a goon and half a god
A man's not made of steel
Twist away, now twist and shout
The earth it moves too slow
But the earth is all we know
We pay to play the human way
Twist away the gates of steel
A man is real that's how he feels
Lyrics submitted by bouncing soles
Gates Of Steel Lyrics as written by Gerald Casale Debbie Smith
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Beautiful song indeed. One of the best social commentaries of what us humans are.
"half a goon and half a god" is a perfect description of what us humans are. What are humans if not beings trying to be perfect, but end up acting stupid. We keep repeating and we still fail. That's because we shouldn't try to be perfect. We're real, not made of steel.
@MrSpud we\'re a perfect circle of acquaintances and fiends
The whole DEVO concept was about social commentary. The music was about evolution, religion, the cold war and nuclear annihilation, etc..
Mark Mothersbaugh, and some of the other members, were students at Kent State University in the early 70s when the Ohio National Guard shot and killed (murdered) several unarmed students on campus after a peaceful Vietnam protest and that forever changed his life and out of that came DEVO.
@KUngSHOO \r\nOccupation: Urban Guerrilla
@KUngSHOO The entire Devo concept was about DE EVOLUTION. How humans are De Evolving not going forward but regressing. Humans think this is progress when in fact they are regressing.
I have always thought this song is poignant for some reason. Maybe its the chord progression, or the robotic-yet-moody synth tones, or the fact that Devo were pretty much right on about the theory of devolution. Is there some kind of positive call to action in this song? It seems to start and end that way, with a comment on modernist apocalyptic subversion occupying the entire middle, punctuated with the alternate voice blurting "A man is real, not made of steel." (sigh)
Jerry Casale answered a question about Gates Of Steel during a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" session:
Q: "Gates of Steel is a contender for my all-time favorite song. Can you share anything about how the song came about?"
A: "I was working a horrible job at a Methadone clinic and I needed a release."
I don't know if the song is about methadone clinics, but, It seems to be the reason the song exists.
I agree, this song is beautiful.
I think the ape regarding his tail, being stuck on it, and being half goon, half god is talking about being a mind trapped in a physical body, being an angel or a computer or whatever that's still pulled on by hairy monkey urges.
People try to say the physical world is illusion, but a "man is real, that's how he feels." Other people try to say that the man can decide everything logically without emotion, but "a man is real, not made of steel" - the body is more than just a robot, it's got glands that influence the brain.
@Dubious Merit \r\nSchopenhauer
@Dubious Merit \r\nSchopenhauer
This song plays into the whole De-Evolution thing. To me, it's about how no matter how hard we try we really aren't that far off from the apes we derived from--there's nothing special about us--and then the duality of the ego refusing that notion and wanting to be more than the sum of your parts.
@ryan108718 oh---and it totally rocks. It's my gettin'-outa-the-shower-gonna-have-a-great-day song.
With "Come Back Jonee" as a total subversion of classic rocker "Johnny B. Goode", this song establishes that the demolition of classic rock tunes is a Devo M/O. Here we get a namedrop of "Twist and Shout". It is only a namedrop this time however. Thematically, "Gates of Steel" is a different beast, though that namedrop has a purpose. By conjuring that happy song from the past, a song people loved to dance to, it makes you notice how comparatively hopeless things are getting now. The idea of twisting and shouting used to be a good time, but now it sounds like something unpleasant.
The constant rhythm and melody seem to emphasise the repetitive nature of denial and maturity (in a patterned malaise)
This song is obviously about psychedelics, enlightenment and opening the doors of consciousness.
@PsychKid it is about Jim Morrison
We might be overthinking the meaning. In typical Devo fashion, a tongue in cheek view of our lives. Gates of steel is about getting your braces off your teeth.
@Raddo66 \r\n- exactly -