Somewhere early morning in a hotel room
There's a guy starting to realize
That eternal fate
Has turned its back on him.
It's 2am....
It's 2 am
The fear is gone
I'm sitting here waiting
The gun's still warm
Maybe my connection
Is tired of taking chances
Yeah, there's a storm on the loose
Sirens in my head
Wrapped up in silence
All circuits are dead
Cannot decode
My whole life spins into a frenzy
Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
Place is a madhouse
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go now that I've gone too far?
Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
Place is a madhouse
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to now that I've gone to far?
Soon you will come to know
When the bullet hits the bone
Soon you will come to know
When the bullet hits the bone
I'm fallin' down a spiral destination unknown
Double-crossed messenger all alone
Can't get no connection
Can't get through where are you?
Well the night weighs heavy on his guilty mind
This far from the borderline
When the hitman comes
He knows damn well he has been cheated
Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
Place is a madhouse
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go now that I've gone too far?
Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
Place is a madhouse
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to now that I've gone to far?
Soon you will come to know
When the bullet hits the bone
Soon you will come to know
When the bullet hits the bone
When the bullet hits the bone
- Golden Earring (1982)
Mardi decided to go old school, I felt it only polite that I do so as well. Formed in The Hague, Golden Earring first hit the scene in 1965 with the album Just Earrings (under the name Golden Earrings). In 1973 they gave us the smash song "Radar Love" and in 1982 they let loose "Twilight Zone" from the album Cut. Those who may have wondered as to my favorite all time song, well, wonder no more. This song has stood on its own for 27 years and continues to stand the test of time with rockers and headbangers young and old alike.
On the surface it would seem that we were witnessing something out of either a Jon Le Carre novel (that would be the Bourne series for you younger folk) or something out of a Mario Puzo story (The Godfather or Prizzi's Honor). Digging a little deeper, it's about someone who has gotten himself too deep into a situation. The only way out for him, for what he can see, is not going to be good for him. The desperation at the final act is palpable. I know we've all felt this way at one point or another in our lives. It's how we handle the situation that tells us how strong we are.
The intensity of the song is driven by the beat. Prominent bass and guitars push along the desperation felt by the character in the story. Some may say this song is a little on the long side, but in my mind it fits with the emotion of the song. The driving beat keeps the desperate mood alive while he waits for the end that never seems to come.
So, Mardi, what do you think of this song?
This song is an unforgettable classic. I think everyone no matter what genre they followed knew and liked this song. I remember hearing it when I was young and thinking it was just a really cool song without fully listening or understanding the lyrics.
ReplyDeleteAs far as meaning, I think Rick pegged the song. We hear a deep desperation in the singer. He has found himself backed into a corner and only way one out. The option he is faced with is not a good one. Everyone has probably been close to this situation once or twice. And we all have to make the choice on how we handle the outcome.
The music in the song really backs the lyrics. The instrumental intensity is what really drives the song.
Good choice, Rick.