I would send out for assistance but there's someone on the signal wire
And the corporation logo is flashing on and off in the sky
They're putting all your names in the forbidden book
I know what they're doing but I don't want to look

You think they're so dumb, you think they're so funny
Wait until they've got you running to the
Night rally, night rally, night rally

Everybody's singing with their hand on their heart, about
Deeds done in the darkest hours
That's just the sort of catchy little melody
To get you singing in the showers

Oh, I know that I'm ungrateful, I've got it
Lying on a plate and I'm not
Buying my share of souvenirs
You can stand to attention, you can
Pray to your uncle
Only get that chicken out of here
Everyone gets armbands and 3-D glasses
Some are in the back room and they're taking those night classes

You think they're so dumb, you think they're so funny
Wait until they've got you running to the
Night rally, night rally, night rally
Night rally, night rally, night rally
Night rally, night rally, night rally
Night rally, night rally, night rally
Night rally, night rally, night rally
Night rally, night rally, night rally
Night rally, night rally, night rally


Lyrics submitted by ThunderCow

Night Rally Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Night Rally song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment
    It's about the dangers of Nationalism, peppered with images and references to Nazism. It's a masterpiece of wit and construction. The "forbidden book" is simply the records that fascist regimes always keep on their enemies. "Wait until they've got you running to the Night Rally" is the warning that you too might join them when they get big enough. The "singing with the hand on the heart" is how fascist regimes--or any regime--has their own propogandist songs. the "singing in the showerS", is a clever double meaning, with reference to the showers in the nazi extermination camps. There's also the reference to armbands (worn by nazis).
    ThunderCowon April 03, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Good stuff Thunder. About how mindless patriotism can brainwash you.
    miesterseanon July 11, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I think it's also about how people are developing blind allegiances to various things, particularly related to consumption. I think this song is one of his best.
    VictoriaLeeon May 10, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I love the song's ending with the nightmarish sound distortion
    NomadMonadon June 23, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Great commentary on a great song. I will, however, still be voting for Donald Trump. So sorry.
    NomadMonadon June 23, 2016   Link

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