London Calling
London Calling: A Rebellion Against Phony Beatlemania and Impending Chaos
Lyrics
London calling to the faraway towns
London is sending a call to distant towns.
Now war is declared and battle come down
War is declared, and the battle is imminent.
London calling to the underworld
London is calling to the underworld.
Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls
Encouragement to those in hiding to come out.
London calling, now don't look to us
London is calling, but don't expect help.
Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust
The fake enthusiasm for the Beatles has ended.
London calling, see we ain't got no swing
London has lost its vitality.
Except for the ring of the truncheon thing
Except for the impact of authority represented by a truncheon.
The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
A metaphor for a crisis – the ice age symbolizes a threat.
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin
Anticipating a crisis as resources become scarce.
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
Despite problems, there is no fear.
'Cause London is drowning
London is in trouble, particularly with flooding.
I live by the river
The singer lives near the river in London.
London calling to the imitation zone
London is calling to those imitating without substance.
Forget it, brother, you can go it alone
Encouraging self-reliance, going alone.
London calling to the zombies of death
Calling out to those in despair or decay.
Quit holding out and draw another breath
Encouraging perseverance and taking another breath.
London calling and I don't want to shout
Expressing a desire not to shout, avoiding conflict.
But while we were talking, I saw you nodding out
While discussing, noticing someone losing interest or falling asleep.
London calling, see we ain't got no high
London lacks energy or enthusiasm.
Except for that one with the yellowy eye
Except for a particular individual with a unique characteristic.
The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
Reiteration of the impending crisis with the ice age.
Engines stop running, the wheat is growing thin
Repeating the consequences of resource depletion.
A nuclear era, but I have no fear
Despite the nuclear era, there's no fear.
'Cause London is drowning
Reiterating the drowning situation in London.
I, I live by the river
The singer lives by the river in London.
The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
Reiteration of the impending crisis with the ice age.
Engines stop running, the wheat is growing thin
Repeating the consequences of resource depletion.
A nuclear era, but I have no fear
Despite the nuclear era, there's no fear.
'Cause London is drowning
Reiterating the drowning situation in London.
I, I live by the river
The singer lives by the river in London.
Now get this
An introduction or transition in the lyrics.
London calling, yes, I was there, too
The singer was present in London during the mentioned events.
And you know what they said? Well, some of it was true
Acknowledging some truth in what was said about London.
London calling at the top of the dial
A reference to broadcasting and communication.
And after all this, won't you give me a smile?
After everything, a request for a positive response.
I never felt so much alike, alike, alike, alike
Expressing a sense of unity or similarity.
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