This is a pretty enigmatic song, but its also my favourite from On The Beach. I always thought it was about nuclear war. Now that I re-read the lyrics, as well as everyone else's interpretations, I'm not so sure, but the final verse seems to describe a fatal mass disaster. This then lays out the explanation for the previous verse which seems to be saying that mortality is the great leveler, and that even the greatest men will just end up under granite (dead) like the rest of us. With verse one he paints another vivid picture of nuclear war with the sailors hearing the sirens on the shore. Someone else here pointed out that by "sirens" Neil means the Sirens of Greek mythology who lured sailors to their doom - and of course, he does, but Neil is no stranger to double meaning. He seems to enjoy leaving his lyrics open to wide interpretation, and I'll freely admit this one is somewhere out on the periphery. I'm fine with that. Who are the Greek Sirens sing for? "Pimps with tailors" The captains of industry who are ultimately responsible for our demise in the pursuit of power and money. If you go with the nuclear disaster interpretation, the chorus also fits - this thing, this disaster, will just come along when you least expect it and shatter your belief in everything, humanity, the future ... but, "it doesn't matter".
... and can I just point out the obvious link between nuclear apocalypse and the title of the album this song hails from: "On the Beach" was Nevil Shute's famous novel about nuclear apocalypse.
... and can I just point out the obvious link between nuclear apocalypse and the title of the album this song hails from: "On the Beach" was Nevil Shute's famous novel about nuclear apocalypse.
... and while I'm at it check out this article that places the buried Cadillac fin and other elements of the album artwork with other apocalyptic art icons from the 20th century http://www.jamesreichbooks.com/?p=23
... and while I'm at it check out this article that places the buried Cadillac fin and other elements of the album artwork with other apocalyptic art icons from the 20th century http://www.jamesreichbooks.com/?p=23
This is a pretty enigmatic song, but its also my favourite from On The Beach. I always thought it was about nuclear war. Now that I re-read the lyrics, as well as everyone else's interpretations, I'm not so sure, but the final verse seems to describe a fatal mass disaster. This then lays out the explanation for the previous verse which seems to be saying that mortality is the great leveler, and that even the greatest men will just end up under granite (dead) like the rest of us. With verse one he paints another vivid picture of nuclear war with the sailors hearing the sirens on the shore. Someone else here pointed out that by "sirens" Neil means the Sirens of Greek mythology who lured sailors to their doom - and of course, he does, but Neil is no stranger to double meaning. He seems to enjoy leaving his lyrics open to wide interpretation, and I'll freely admit this one is somewhere out on the periphery. I'm fine with that. Who are the Greek Sirens sing for? "Pimps with tailors" The captains of industry who are ultimately responsible for our demise in the pursuit of power and money. If you go with the nuclear disaster interpretation, the chorus also fits - this thing, this disaster, will just come along when you least expect it and shatter your belief in everything, humanity, the future ... but, "it doesn't matter".
... and can I just point out the obvious link between nuclear apocalypse and the title of the album this song hails from: "On the Beach" was Nevil Shute's famous novel about nuclear apocalypse.
... and can I just point out the obvious link between nuclear apocalypse and the title of the album this song hails from: "On the Beach" was Nevil Shute's famous novel about nuclear apocalypse.
... and while I'm at it check out this article that places the buried Cadillac fin and other elements of the album artwork with other apocalyptic art icons from the 20th century http://www.jamesreichbooks.com/?p=23
... and while I'm at it check out this article that places the buried Cadillac fin and other elements of the album artwork with other apocalyptic art icons from the 20th century http://www.jamesreichbooks.com/?p=23