Three-Five-Zero-Zero
Andy Forray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Caught in barbed wire
Fireball
Bullet shock
Bayonet
Electricity
Shrapnel
Throbbing meat
Black uniforms
Bare feet, carbines
Mail-order rifles
Shoot the muscles
256 Viet Cong captured
256 Viet Cong captured
Prisoners in Niggertown
It's a dirty little war
Three Five Zero Zero
Take weapons up and begin to kill
Watch the long long armies drifting home
These lyrics from Andy Forray's song "Three-Five-Zero-Zero" vividly depict the harsh realities of the Vietnam War. The first few lines -- "ripped open by metal explosion" and "caught in barbed wire" -- describe the brutal violence and danger soldiers faced in battle. The references to "fireball," "bullet shock," and "shrapnel" further reinforce this theme. The line "bared feet, carbines" reflects the lack of proper gear for many soldiers, while the mention of "mail-order rifles" highlights the accessibility of firearms in the war.
The second verse delves more into the political and societal issues surrounding the Vietnam War. The reference to "black uniforms" could allude to the North Vietnamese Army, while "256 Viet Cong captured" suggests the success of U.S. military efforts. The line "prisoners in Niggertown" speaks to the racial tensions of the time -- "Niggertown" was a term used to describe predominantly African American neighborhoods. The final line -- "watch the long long armies drifting home" -- perhaps hints at the disillusionment many U.S. troops felt upon returning from Vietnam, as well as the war's lasting impact on American society.
Line by Line Meaning
Ripped open by metal explosion
The violence and bombings of war have caused serious injuries and wounds to the soldiers.
Caught in barbed wire
The soldiers are physically trapped and defenseless due to the barbed wire used in war tactics.
Fireball
Explosions create large, devastating fireballs that destroy anything in their paths.
Bullet shock
The impact of bullets causes immense physical shock and harm to the soldiers.
Bayonet
The bayonet is a violent weapon used to stab and kill in close combat during war.
Electricity
Electric shocks are commonly used as a torture tactic on prisoners of war.
Shrapnel
Bits of metal and debris from explosions are scattered around, causing serious injuries to people.
Throbbing meat
The human body is reduced to mere flesh and bones in the horrors of war, damaged and wounded beyond repair.
Electronic data processing
Even in war, modern technology is used to generate data and statistics to track enemy activity.
Black uniforms
The soldiers wear black uniforms to symbolize the darkness and evil of war.
Bare feet, carbines
The Viet Cong soldiers, barefoot and armed with carbines, are agile and skilled in guerrilla warfare.
Mail-order rifles
Rifles are easily accessible and can be ordered by mail, making it easy for individuals to acquire deadly weapons.
Shoot the muscles
The soldiers target and attack the Viet Cong's physical abilities and strength by aiming to injure and kill their muscles.
256 Viet Cong captured
The U.S. military has successfully captured 256 Viet Cong soldiers, likely through violent means.
Prisoners in Niggertown
The Viet Cong soldiers are held captive in a derogatory, racist location called Niggertown.
It's a dirty little war
The Vietnam War is a corrupt, unethical conflict that has resulted in many atrocities and injustices.
Three Five Zero Zero
The number 3500 represents the number of casualties in the war, both military and civilian.
Take weapons up and begin to kill
The song suggests that the only solution to the war and violence is to fight back and take matters into their own hands through armed resistance.
Watch the long long armies drifting home
The war is finally over and the soldiers are returning home, but the aftermath and trauma of the war continues to haunt them for a long time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GALT MAC DERMOT, GEROME RAGNI, JAMES RADO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Kozenek
on Drac's Back
Theyre easy pickins at the discotech
I leave em feelin like theyve been in a wreck
You know they wake up all wasted and they never ever check
Those two small holes that I leave in their neck
Well if they were wise they would soon realize
theyre not hung over theyre just vampirized
cuz Drac’s back
I wanna suck your
Oooooh Dracula
I’m gonna wait for you on Saturday night
I’m gonna give your neck a great big bite
You try to find me in the mirror and I’m nowhere in sight
When you wake up sunday you will look a terrible fright
And when the medical team, arrives on the scene
And diagnose what bit you everybody will scream
Drac’s back
I wanna suck your
Oooooh, Dracula
(Solo)
Well if they were wise they would soon realize
Theyre not hung over theyre just vampirized
Cuz Drac’s back
I wanna suck your
Ooooooh Dracula
Now heres a tip if you are out chasing me
I close the clubs because my drinks are all free
And when the sun is dawning thats when I have to flee
You can catch me at my coffin about 5:23
Now if you were smart and feelin up to the part
You best come looking with a stake for my heart
Cuz Drac’s back
I wanna suck your
Ooooooh Dracula
I went to New York City once to make my mark
I checked into the waldorf in the name of Count Choc
I used to prowl the city when it was dark
Til one night someone mugged me out in central park Now I had to go away, for many a day
But I’m such a nifty healer that I’m still here to say
Drac’s back
I wanna suck your
Ooooooh Dracula