137
Brand New Lyrics


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Under the ocean
Next to a boiling vent
He's none the wiser
Earth's only resident

It piled up
Man, it was wall to wall
Blink of an eye
And all the problems solved

Let's all go play Nagasaki
We can all get vaporised
Hold my hand, let's turn to ash
I'll see you on the other side

Before the garden
When you were all alone
You made the atom
Was that some inside joke

Open the gates
And then conceal the path
Let's load the gun
And see how long they last

Let's go ring and run the bunkers
Baby won't you come outside?
Across the sea the birds are free
Let's watch them scream across the sky

Let's all go and meet our maker
They don't care whose side you're on
We're so afraid, I prayed and prayed
Before I learned to love the bomb

Let's all go play Nagasaki
What a lovely way to die
The final show where we all go
So no one has to say goodbye

Lets all go and meet our maker
Won't matter whose side you're on




We're so afraid, I prayed and prayed
When God told me to love the bomb

Overall Meaning

The song “137” by the American rock band Brand New is a haunting reflection on humanity’s destructive nature, and how religion and war can be intertwined. The lyrics describe a post-apocalyptic world where a man is the last resident of a desolate Earth. He is unaware that the destruction he experiences is due to human actions, and instead, perceives it as a result of natural disasters. The concept of human beings being the only ones responsible for the earth’s destruction is a recurring theme in the song, and it is highlighted in the line “Before the garden, when you were all alone, you made the atom, was that some inside joke?”


The chorus of the song urges listeners to consider the implications of war and nuclear destruction. The lyrics “Let’s all go play Nagasaki, we can all get vaporized, hold my hand, let’s turn to ash, I’ll see you on the other side” seem to suggest that humanity’s current path is towards self-annihilation, and while they may not have control over the situation, they can still choose how they face their end. In the final verse, the lyrics “when God told me to love the bomb” drive home the idea that religion can be used to justify war and destruction, and that it is up to individuals to question and challenge the beliefs that lead to such catastrophic events.


Overall, “137” is a powerful and thought-provoking song that urges listeners to reflect on the consequences of their actions and beliefs, and how they contribute to the world’s future.


Line by Line Meaning

Under the ocean
The subject is in a dark, isolated place


Next to a boiling vent
The subject is positioned uncomfortably close to danger


He's none the wiser
Despite being in a precarious situation, the subject is ignorant of the danger


Earth's only resident
The subject is completely alone in this hostile environment


It piled up
A problem has grown to massive proportions


Man, it was wall to wall
The situation has become all-encompassing


Blink of an eye
Suddenly and quickly


And all the problems solved
The problem was resolved quickly and easily, perhaps by force or destruction


Let's all go play Nagasaki
An invitation to engage in reckless, life-threatening behavior


We can all get vaporised
This behavior could lead to death and destruction


Hold my hand, let's turn to ash
Embracing the danger and willing to die together


I'll see you on the other side
A belief in an afterlife or reunion in death


Before the garden
A reference to the Bible and the creation of the Earth


When you were all alone
The loneliness and isolation of the subject before the creation of life


You made the atom
A reference to the scientific process of creating atomic energy


Was that some inside joke
Questioning the motives behind creating such a powerful and destructive force


Open the gates
Inviting in danger or destruction


And then conceal the path
After causing damage or danger, hiding the evidence or consequences


Let's load the gun
Preparation for battle or conflict


And see how long they last
Seeking to cause harm or destruction to an enemy


Let's go ring and run the bunkers
An eagerness to recklessly engage with danger, such as war or battle


Baby won't you come outside
Inviting someone to share in the danger and recklessness


Across the sea the birds are free
A comparison between the freedom of birds and the limitations of human life


Let's watch them scream across the sky
A desire to witness chaos, destruction, or danger


Let's all go and meet our maker
A willingness to embrace death and the afterlife


They don't care whose side you're on
Death is the ultimate equalizer, regardless of one's beliefs or affiliations


We're so afraid, I prayed and prayed
Despite the bravado and willingness to engage with danger, there is an underlying fear and anxiety


Before I learned to love the bomb
A reference to the mentality of mutually assured destruction during the Cold War era


What a lovely way to die
A darkly sarcastic statement about the nature of nuclear war and destruction


The final show where we all go
A reference to the inescapable nature of death and destruction


So no one has to say goodbye
An attempt to find comfort in the idea of a shared and inevitable fate




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jesse Lacey

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Kay

here are the lyrics !
[Verse 1]
Under the ocean
Next to a boiling vent
He's none the wiser
Earth's only resident

It piled up
Man, it was wall to wall
Blink of an eye
And all the problems solved

[Chorus]
Let's all go play Nagasaki
We can all get vaporised
Hold my hand, let's turn to ash
I'll see you on the other side

[Verse 2]
Before the garden
When you were all alone
You made the atom
Was that some inside joke

Open the gates
And then conceal the path
Let's load the gun
And see how long they last
[Chorus]
Let's go ring and run the bunkers
Baby won't you come outside?
Across the sea the birds are free
Let's watch them scream across the sky

Let's all go and meet our maker
They don't care whose side you're on
We're so afraid, I prayed and prayed
Before I learned to love the bomb

[Chorus]
Let's all go play Nagasaki
What a lovely way to die
A final show and we all go
So no one has to say goodbye

Lets all go and meet our maker
Won't matter whose side you're on
We're so afraid, I prayed and prayed
When God told me to love the bomb



All comments from YouTube:

Eric Alex Anderson

I'm a little sad that this album is old now, and it's the last one....such a damn masterpiece. I love how this music will always exist for me to fall back into.

Justin Clark

@Astra Invictum for creating music, pretty much.

Matt Matthews

Well it isn’t exactly “Brand New” anymore.

Greg Bowen

We need another

Dewayne Tucker

With you on that

Amy Roth

I saw them live shortly after this came out, I hadn’t even listened to the album much yet, unfortunately. I didn’t realize it would be their last tour. I love this album deeply and regret not listening to it earlier.

3 More Replies...

Kay

here are the lyrics !
[Verse 1]
Under the ocean
Next to a boiling vent
He's none the wiser
Earth's only resident

It piled up
Man, it was wall to wall
Blink of an eye
And all the problems solved

[Chorus]
Let's all go play Nagasaki
We can all get vaporised
Hold my hand, let's turn to ash
I'll see you on the other side

[Verse 2]
Before the garden
When you were all alone
You made the atom
Was that some inside joke

Open the gates
And then conceal the path
Let's load the gun
And see how long they last
[Chorus]
Let's go ring and run the bunkers
Baby won't you come outside?
Across the sea the birds are free
Let's watch them scream across the sky

Let's all go and meet our maker
They don't care whose side you're on
We're so afraid, I prayed and prayed
Before I learned to love the bomb

[Chorus]
Let's all go play Nagasaki
What a lovely way to die
A final show and we all go
So no one has to say goodbye

Lets all go and meet our maker
Won't matter whose side you're on
We're so afraid, I prayed and prayed
When God told me to love the bomb

I'm Angel

Thank you for that I like when people make the right lyrics and plus you seem like a fan!

Lisa Marie Hayes

Ill forever be grateful to brand new for taking me away for short while , their music is timeless, their music is a gift.

CupidStuntBoyZ

That breakdown and lead up to the final explosive chorus gets me every time.

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