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The Empire Strikes First Lyrics
We strike first
And we're unrehearsed
Here we go again
To stage the greatest show on heaven and earth
Come on, get your money's worth
Don't want to live
(can't live)
Don't want to give
(can't give)
Don't want to be
(won't be)
E-M-P-I-R-E
Don't want to live
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
We're comin' on fast
And we're built to last
We struggled once in 'Nam
Now we're glad to finally say
Those days have passed
Tell me how long can it last!
Don't want to live
(can't live)
Don't want to give
(can't give)
Don't want to be
(won't be)
E-M-P-I-R-E
Don't want to live
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
We just started out
You don't need to be afraid
Yeah you deserve two minutes hate
Well, we spit and we cursed
And our bleeding hearts burst
But even ten million souls
Marching in February couldn't stop the worst,
Couldn't reverse
Don't want to live
Don't want to give
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
Don't want to live
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
I can't live
If it isn't with you
And we're unrehearsed
Here we go again
To stage the greatest show on heaven and earth
Come on, get your money's worth
(can't live)
Don't want to give
(can't give)
Don't want to be
(won't be)
E-M-P-I-R-E
Don't want to live
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
And we're built to last
We struggled once in 'Nam
Now we're glad to finally say
Those days have passed
Tell me how long can it last!
(can't live)
Don't want to give
(can't give)
Don't want to be
(won't be)
E-M-P-I-R-E
Don't want to live
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
You don't need to be afraid
Yeah you deserve two minutes hate
And our bleeding hearts burst
But even ten million souls
Marching in February couldn't stop the worst,
Couldn't reverse
Don't want to give
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
Don't want to live
Don't want to be
E-M-P-I-R-E
If it isn't with you
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I think it's clear what this song is about: the US offensive against Iraq. And they're fucking right.
I'm gonna agree with you on that certain point, but I think this song has a more universal theme too. True, the "ten million souls" part refers to the Iraqi conflict, but I think the whole song touches upon how war will always be a part of human society, even though there will be lull times.
"yeah you deserve to be attained" It's actually 'you deserve two minutes hate' It's a quote from 1984. So the empire has another showdown. Even 10 million people can't stop them. Teh empire treats it's citizens like children (hence the phonetic spelling of empire)
my name is great.
This is definately one of their darkest albums.
I love the "Two Minutes Hate" reference. The scary thing is that with the way the governments and media are presenting things it seems almost at times like such a policy has been implemented.
I like the last two lines, as the song fades: "I can't live / If it isn't with you". It seems like that this song is partially lamenting the actions of the US, and how much the singer loves the old US - "with liberty and justice for all" - and how with recent events, that's becoming untrue.
the thing i really like about this song is it's numerous external reference. the 1984, orwell reference, like you guys already said. but while the song does has a more general application, i think it conveys a frustration and helplessness in the events leading to this war. in the 1st verse "greatest show on earth" i think is a direct reference to the iraq war: operation shock and awe. towards the end "but even ten million souls marching in February couldn't stop the worst" i think is a reference to the massive world wide protests that were held on february 15 before the war
"but even ten million souls marching in February couldn't stop the worst"--- that's a reference to the protests. I personally marched, and then heard Bush say he didn't care how many people marched. Democracy, huh?
the lyrics above omitted one line (the one before "and our bleeding hearts burst,") but i personally don't know what that particular lyric is. any help?
The riff in this song reminds me of L7's 'Pretend Were Dead'