Twentieth Century Hero
Bucks Fizz Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know you read between the lines
When them up there say it's all fine
Then break your back from nine to five
To keep your two point four alive
Well it's Hymns for a Sunday
And it's booze for a Monday
And dreamers thinking one day
It will all be taken care of

(You're a hero)
Zero, zero, zero
Rather be Valentino
Well don't run away stay here and play
Twentieth century hero

Well I know you're never influenced
By craze or fashions zoo caress
You didn't buy that car to show
The guy next door where he can go
Where your grass is the greenest
And your life saccharinest
Well your beach ain't the cleanest
It will all be taken care of

(You're a hero)
Zero, hero, zero
Cap in hand Valentino
Well I hope you know I love you so
Twentieth century hero

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...

Twentieth century hero you
Believe what you believe is true
Opinion polls, who gives a damn
Look Errol Flynn now there's a man
With the price of the harvest
Is swept under the carpet
And the big ones fall the hardest
It will all be taken care of

(You're a hero)
Dero, Dero, Dero
Vanity Valentino
Well you're gonna be the death of me
Twentieth century hero

Hero, hero, hero
Vanity Valentino




Well you're gonna be the death of me
Twentieth century hero

Overall Meaning

Bucks Fizz's song "Twentieth Century Hero" is an ode to everyday individuals who strive and endure to keep their lives afloat amidst the chaos and political dilemmas that come with modern times. The lyrics highlight the struggles of middle-class people trying to earn a living and maintain a household while reading through the lines of political propaganda. The song recognizes the sacrifices made by these people while maintaining a sense of hope that everything will work out and that they are doing enough to make it work.


The song also emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and not getting influenced by the latest fads or trends. It highlights the isolation that comes with being an individualist and presents it as a heroic attribute. By emphasizing that individuals should believe in what they truly believe is right and remain unaffected by societal expectations, the song shifts the focus from the external to the internal and presents individualism as heroic in its own way.


Overall, "Twentieth Century Hero" emphasizes the power of the individual and represents the struggles, frustrations, and hopes of a group of people. It presents the struggle of people caught in the midst of modern times and recognizes their efforts while encouraging them to remain true to their beliefs and hopeful about the future.


Line by Line Meaning

I know you read between the lines
You are able to understand the hidden meanings behind what is being said.


When them up there say it's all fine
When those in positions of power claim that everything is running smoothly.


Then break your back from nine to five
You work extremely hard from morning until evening.


To keep your two point four alive
To support yourself and your family with the average salary.


Well it's Hymns for a Sunday
You enjoy religious music on Sundays.


And it's booze for a Monday
You like to drink alcohol to start off the week.


And dreamers thinking one day
Idealistic people believe that things will eventually work out for the better.


It will all be taken care of
You believe that any unresolved problems will eventually resolve themselves.


(You're a hero)
You are considered to be a hero by the singer.


Zero, zero, zero
You may not have a lot of money.


Rather be Valentino
You have a desire to be stylish and fashionable like the famous actor Valentino.


Well don't run away stay here and play
The singer wants you to stay and enjoy life with them.


Twentieth century hero
The singer considers you to be a hero of the modern era.


Well I know you're never influenced
You are not easily swayed by popular fads or ideas.


By craze or fashions zoo caress
You are not interested in following trends or fashion.


You didn't buy that car to show
You did not purchase your car to try to impress your neighbors.


The guy next door where he can go
You don't care where your neighbors go or what they do.


Where your grass is the greenest
You have the best-looking lawn in the neighborhood.


And your life saccharinest
Your life is very sweet, almost too good to be true.


Well your beach ain't the cleanest
Your beach is not the cleanest, but it doesn't bother you.


(You're a hero)
You are still considered to be a hero by the singer.


Zero, hero, zero
Although you do not have a lot of money, you are still considered to be a hero.


Cap in hand Valentino
You would rather be fashionable like Valentino than for people to think you are wealthy.


Well I hope you know I love you so
The singer wants you to know that they care about you.


Twentieth century hero
The singer repeats their assertion that you are a hero of the modern era.


Believe what you believe is true
You are true to your beliefs and hold to them firmly.


Opinion polls, who gives a damn
You do not care about the results of surveys or what other people think.


Look Errol Flynn now there's a man
You admire the famous actor Errol Flynn.


With the price of the harvest
You are aware of the cost of food and other goods.


Is swept under the carpet
However, you believe that certain important issues are being ignored or overlooked.


And the big ones fall the hardest
You realize that famous or powerful people may be subjected to more criticism and scrutiny.


It will all be taken care of
Despite these concerns, you still believe that everything will eventually work out for the best.


(You're a hero)
The singer affirms once again that you are a hero in their eyes.


Dero, Dero, Dero
The singer mispronounces the word 'zero', perhaps as a form of wordplay.


Vanity Valentino
You are concerned with your appearance and fashion, like Valentino.


Well you're gonna be the death of me
The singer jokingly claims that your fashion sense will be the end of them.


Twentieth century hero
The song ends with one more reaffirmation of your heroic status in the modern era.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDY HILL, PETER JOHN SINFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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