Total Eclipse

While it is criticism of society, I think it goes deeper guys. This song may have been made during the Cold War, when Russia and the USA were threatening nuclear war against each other.

Perhaps Klaus is talking about how the politicians are corrupt, and that we'll all pay - that nobody can escape the destruction. That might be why he talks about getting atomized, turning into french fries, a holocaust, things blowing up, and heat - this is synonymous with a nuclear holocaust, amirite?

When he says "just a slip of your lips and you're gone," I'm wondering if he's trying to describe how delicate the Cold War was, how a single slip of the lips could have inclined someone to launch their missiles and destroy the world.

I think this song is a critique of our society, and how none of the superficial things we value are going to save us from "going to hell in a handbasket" as the saying goes LOL The line "Blow up, everything's gonna go up even if you don't show up in your Chemise Lacoste." makes me laugh really hard

That may explain the lyric "Big shots argue about what they've got" as well. Big shots as in the world's super powers, USA and Russia, arguing about which company's nuclear weapons are better, and which country itself is better. Klaus Nomi is really nailing diplomats well, and at the same time giving a sympathetic feel to us who are going to be victims when we did nothing.

Although the Chemise Lacoste lyric throws me off a bit - what does he mean? Could I be wrong, and could he just be talking about society? Or maybe he's just saying that the rich and powerful don't think they can be victims just because they're so important and can afford expensive French apparel.

pride, the wrong words and nuclear war

As someone who was alive back then, here's how I see it: Historically speaking, the eclipse of the sun was seen as a harbinger of doom, bad luck and chaos. (There are accounts of human sacrifices being done in some cultures to end an eclipse.) At the time Reagan started the nuclear arms proliferation. Klaus is comparing the action to a total eclipse of the sun, although he's saying the hysteria here is justifiable.

No comments?! Anyway, I dont really know what this song is about. But it's pretty great. Wwhen I read the lyrics, makes me think of everything that's obviously wrong with our society, summed up, in a very funny satirical way. Hot as a holocaust, global warming.. french fries, obesity.. chemise lacoste, consumerism and rich big shots.. fall out, atomized, nuclear warfare and stuff..

Okay. So I totally have it figured out. This is based off of a concept courtesy of t.A.T.u.; the concept of the "Dangerous and Moving" (or Lyudi Invalidi). This is the idea of people who are completely superficial, self absorbed, and soulless. Think of hot-headed Hollywood actors, or those annoying girls from high school. They base everything on name brands, their needs, looking and feeling rich.