1984
Bombardiers Lyrics

The lyrics of Bombardier's song "1984" paint a vivid picture of a generation of young soldiers and conscripts feeling lost and confused in a tumultuous political climate. The imagery of soldiers gathered on benches, reminiscent of boys hanging out on the streets, reflects a sense of displacement and camaraderie among these individuals. The reference to looking straight ahead, like others of their generation, suggests a shared sense of duty and determination in the face of uncertainty and turmoil.

The repetition of "Et toi, toi tu espères Que ce sera toujours comme ça" (And you, you hope that it will always be like this) conveys a poignant desire for stability and continuity amidst the chaos and upheaval of the times. It speaks to a yearning for things to remain as they are, despite the challenges and hardships that the singer and their comrades face. This hope for consistency and predictability serves as a poignant contrast to the turbulent and unpredictable nature of the world around them, emphasizing the longing for a sense of normalcy and security.

The mention of 1984 evokes connotations of George Orwell's dystopian novel of the same name, known for its themes of oppressive government control and surveillance. By referencing this year, the lyrics further underscore the oppressive and authoritarian atmosphere in which the characters find themselves. The imagery of soldiers and conscripts gathered in various locations, from public squares to squats, highlights the pervasive reach of the military and the state in the lives of these individuals, as they navigate their roles and identities in a society marked by conflict and unrest.

The closing lines of the lyrics, addressing a comrade walking in the street with a cross as their only emblem, suggest a sense of defiance and resistance in the face of adversity. The symbol of the cross, typically associated with faith and redemption, takes on a subversive quality when worn by someone labeled as a "voyou" (thug). This juxtaposition of religious imagery with notions of delinquency and nonconformity hints at a deeper complexity in the characters and their actions, as they navigate their roles as soldiers, conscripts, and individuals within a society shaped by conflict, conformity, and rebellion.