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Coliseum Lyrics

Got nightmare walking on two legs,
There's a word for people like us,
Can't shake the feeling,
We're moving backwards,
History repeating itself.

Ain't got the time to prove,
Why even bother?
Just ignore the signs,
Ain't got the time to lose,
Can't change the drama,
In time you'll see,
The empire never ended.

McSweeney draws first blood,
Teeth hit the floor,
Fingers twitch on the remote,
The crowd want more more more,
They're waiting for the ground and pound,
To turn his face into raw meat,
Little Johnny turns to mommy,
"This is is what I want to be..."

Because

Pain is hopeful
Pain is holy
Pain is healthy
Pain heals.
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Cover art for Coliseum lyrics by Bloc Party

The imagery in the later verses of the song appears to be explicitly about organized sport fighting-- boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts, etc. I think the song is meant to be a critique of Western society, and the way in which the masses are being bombarded with violent spectacle in order to distract them from organizing and demanding resolution to more serious political issues that involve their interests. It's sort of the same sentiment behind the phrase "bread and circuses". The line "The empire never ended" is presumably talking about how, despite our technological advancements, modern Western culture is still, in many ways, an extension of the Roman Empire with its coliseums and gladiators. As a result, the culture perpetuates a fetishization of violence by promoting the fighters as role models for kids, and meanwhile, politicians and the upper classes get away with all manner of unethical behaviours.

Cover art for Coliseum lyrics by Bloc Party

This song would be great in The Walking Dead. Zombies and chaos, humans running for safety, the fighting, the blood, the gore. I can't see anything else when I listen to it.

Love it, I've been binging on this for the past 5-6 days.

 
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