How Much Longer
Alternative TV Lyrics


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Propaganda
1234
How Much Love
How much love
How much love

I can't explain the life
Finally
We're out of the rain
The sea it became
Will wash away

I want to see them fall
Stoned and beautiful
No look of love
Find in me a thing of wonder
Forever asking

How much love
How much love
How much love (How much love in a world of wonder)
How much love (How much love in a world of change)

Many reasons why
Finally
I wanted to say
I wanted to stay
A castaway
Find in me a thing of wonder
Forever asking

How much love
How much love
How much love (How much love in a world of wonder)
How much love from heaven above
From the stars in our eyes to the ocean tide

I can't explain the lie
Finally
I want to believe
The love that I need
Will come my way

Find in me a thing of wonder
Forever asking

How much love
How much love




How much love (How much love in a world of wonder)
How much love (How much love in a world of change)

Overall Meaning

Alternative TV's song "How Much Longer" is a protest song against the societal injustices and the establishment's control over people. The song's opening lines "Propaganda, 1234, how much love" shows a juxtaposition of the propagandist messages the establishment creates to exert control over the masses and the desire for love that people deserve. The singer implies that people are being fed lies and propaganda, and they need to wake up to the reality of the world.


The second verse talks about a desire to see the powerful fall, represented by the phrase "stoned and beautiful." The singer does not want to experience love in a world where there is inequality and exploitation. There is a feeling of uncertainty and longing as the singer asks, "How much love in a world of wonder/How much love in a world of change." The song's title itself "How Much Longer" suggests a sense of anticipation for change or a revolution.


The third verse talks about the singer's belief in love and their hope to find the love they require, which will come their way. However, the repeated question of "How much love" shows that the singer is still doubtful and uncertain. The song's use of rhetorical questions, repetition of phrases, and simple yet poetic lyrics give it a significant impact. The song's message is poignant and straightforward, and it is still relevant today, as it was in the 1970s when it was released.


Line by Line Meaning

Propaganda
The song is commenting on the pervasive nature of propaganda and how it influences people's perceptions.


1234
This is likely just a counting-in method for the band to begin the song.


How Much Love
The repeating chorus establishes the central question of the song and frames the broader themes of love and wonder in terms of society as a whole.


How much love
The chorus is repeated, reminding us of the central question.


I can't explain the life
The song begins with a sense of ambiguity and confusion, creating a sense of being lost or unmoored from reality.


Finally
This suggests that the singer has reached a point of clarity or resolution, either in terms of their own life or their understanding of the world.


We're out of the rain
This line could be interpreted as a metaphor for escaping troubles or difficulties in life.


The sea it became
This continues the water metaphor, suggesting a sense of transformation or rebirth.


Will wash away
This implies that the rain has cleansed or purified something, perhaps a metaphor for personal or social renewal.


I want to see them fall
The next verse begins with a sense of aggression or frustration, directed perhaps at those who perpetuate societal problems or injustices.


Stoned and beautiful
These lines could be interpreted in multiple ways, but might suggest a yearning for a sense of carefree beauty or a wish for justice to be served on those who perpetuate oppression or cruelty.


No look of love
This line suggests a lack of empathy or compassion among those who hold power or perpetuate societal problems.


Find in me a thing of wonder
This reframes the entire song as a search for something wondrous or miraculous in the midst of societal chaos.


Forever asking
This reinforces the idea that the question of how much love exists in the world is an eternal one, something that people will always be searching for an answer to.


Many reasons why
This could suggest a sense of bewilderment about why things are the way they are in the world, or a sense of frustration at the complexity of societal problems.


I wanted to say
This suggests a sense of unexpressed feeling or unsaid truth.


I wanted to stay
This could be interpreted as a desire for stability or permanence in the midst of societal upheaval or change.


A castaway
This could suggest a sense of being isolated or abandoned in the world, or a metaphor for feeling adrift or disconnected from society as a whole.


How much love from heaven above
This line suggests a desire for something greater or divine to intervene in the world and bring about a sense of love or peace.


From the stars in our eyes to the ocean tide
This reinforces the sense of wonder and mystery that pervades the entirety of the song. There is a sense that the singer is looking for meaning in everything around them, from the natural world to human emotion.


I can't explain the lie
The final verse returns to a sense of ambiguity or uncertainty, perhaps acknowledging that the search for meaning and love in the world will always be fraught with difficulty or impermanence.


I want to believe
Despite the uncertainty, the song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer expressing a desire to believe in something greater than themselves.


The love that I need
This suggests that the singer has realized that they need love and connection in order to find meaning and hope in the world.


Will come my way
This expresses a sense of confidence or faith that the love they are seeking will eventually find them, and that they can find a sense of wonder and meaning in the world despite the difficulties and uncertainties they face.




Writer(s): Alexander Ferguson, Mark Perry Copyright: Bike Music O.B.O. Lovolar Music

Contributed by Julian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@theflodgeable

mark perry was a good guy ,i met him at erics liverpool when i was 17 in 1978 ,he sent me anarchy by the pistols on emi label,still got it! thanks mark, your a legend to me!!!!!

@gravytopic

nuh, really?

@fukkingusernames

Probably my favourite punk song, for me it sums the whole movement up. from his voice to the sound to the lyrics 100% PUNK

@suzannemoogan9675

Yeah it is it's taking the piss, often happened with punk lyrics.

@evilboots5296

yeah

@PIERRECLARY

nahhh nah nahhhhh!

@ericcrawford9827

What the fuck is 100% PUNK.

@TheAmishGamer

@@ericcrawford9827 This.

5 More Replies...

@liamcronan150

This song is dirty laundry for the scene but sometimes you need to put people on blast or inform those that aren’t part of “the scene”. It’s hard to explain to outsiders. It rules though. Mark was always.a great writer from doing the Sniffing Glue zine, to ATV. He would tell people the absolute truth. No bullshit. Thanks for uploading

@snowfsock1

Top bloke, who told it how it was without any bullshit or fear of not being liked. Timeless music as good as it ever was. New ATV album out now 2015. Buy it and put some money where it deserves to go.

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