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.
Ah-ha
When it all comes down the line
And the lights they turn to greed
And you race off with your tires screaming
Rolling thunder
And the people choke with poison
Children cry in fear
But you've got your fast bullet
One way ticket out of here
Fall on your knees today
And pray the world will mend its ways
Get to your feet again
Refugees from the heartbreak and the pain
In the cities, in the streets
There's a tension you can feel
The breaking strain is fast approaching
Guns and riots (riots)
Politicians gamble and lie to save their skins
And the press get fed the scapegoats
Public enema number one
Fall on your knees today
And pray the world will mend its ways
Get to your feet again
Refugees from the heartbreak and the pain
A million network slaves
In an advertising new age
I don't need a crystal ball to sell ya
Your children have more brains
Than your drug infested remains
California dreaming as the earth dies screaming
Fall on your knees today
And pray the world will mend its ways
Get to your feet again
Refugees from the heartbreak, oh
Fall on your knees today
And pray the world will mend its ways
Get to your feet again
Refugees from the heartbreak and the pain
When it all comes down the line
And the lights they turn to greed
And you race off with your tires screaming
Rolling thunder
And the people choke with poison
Children cry in fear
But you've got your fast bullet
One way ticket out of here
Fall on your knees today
And pray the world will mend its ways
Get to your feet again
Refugees from the heartbreak and the pain
In the cities, in the streets
There's a tension you can feel
The breaking strain is fast approaching
Guns and riots (riots)
Politicians gamble and lie to save their skins
And the press get fed the scapegoats
Public enema number one
Fall on your knees today
And pray the world will mend its ways
Get to your feet again
Refugees from the heartbreak and the pain
A million network slaves
In an advertising new age
I don't need a crystal ball to sell ya
Your children have more brains
Than your drug infested remains
California dreaming as the earth dies screaming
Fall on your knees today
And pray the world will mend its ways
Get to your feet again
Refugees from the heartbreak, oh
Fall on your knees today
And pray the world will mend its ways
Get to your feet again
Refugees from the heartbreak and the pain
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I think this song is about the way the world seems to be getting closer and closer to a breaking point, and when it finally gets here, you just book it and run away from it all.. while everyhing else falls apart. There are also overtones of how people know there are these problems and still do nothing "pray the world will mend its ways" (a passive approach?)
Note the separation of California from the rest of the world- as if they're asking why hollywood is caught up with celebrity and vanity when other people are starving and suffering. I really like this song. It's very brooding/wild and melodic. I'm surprised no one else has commented
Why would they use Enema?! Why?!
I thought this song was a reference to gangs and gangsters with the "Public Enema Number One" being a reference to Al Capone who was proclaimed Chicago's offical Public Enemy Number One shortly before his downfall. I could be wrong though...
Is it just me, or is this song's title REALLY out of place for maiden? I'd expect it from some punk band, but maiden? Just seems... odd.
YES!!! YES!!!
I couldnt agree more... Like, I kinda get the whole enema-image with like, the media/politicians just feed us their BS and we cant do anything about it and whatnot.
But I definitely do not like it.
I think they use "Enema" rather than "Enemy" because they did not want to get tangled up with courts since there is a rap/hip hop group called Public Enemy...If they would have named that song Public Enemy Number One then the group Pubic Enemy would have said that they would want some type of royalty and stuff like that...
Song is about the fall of society in certain places...
@picounion No. it enema to flush down the wickedness of man that causes the fall of society