They were frequently classified as industrial rock, but were often quite different from many bands so dubbed. Tod A.'s lyrics were clever, snide and evocative (Art Black and David Sprague suggest that "Black humor beats black metal any day") and their "weirdly catchy" music which drew "on hot jazz and swing as much as clanging rock, emphasizing the group's stand-apart attitude."
The group had little mainstream success (scoring a few hits on college radio), despite tours with Iggy Pop and music videos on MTV's Headbanger's Ball and 120 Minutes (notably $10 Bill, featuring a number of little people). They retain a cult following, however, and their out-of-print releases sometimes sell for large amounts among fans.
Nowhere
Cop Shoot Cop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living on the other side of hope
Nobody can hurt you when you don't care
Singing like you're swinging on a rope
Don't worry if you never have been happy
Disappointment is your only friend
It's not like there's nothing to believe in
Every movie's got to have an end
Let's get out of here
When you've got nothing
You've got nothing left to fear
(Yeah, hey) Going nowhere...
How long can you just go on pretending
To be yourself when you know that you're not ?
Every movie's got have an ending
Even when there's not much of a plot
If your lover used to beat you with his anger (failure)
If your mother used to tie you to a rock
Observe your former life preserved in amber
Like someone pulled the power on the clock
The song "Nowhere" by Cop Shoot Cop is a bleak commentary on the feeling of hopelessness and the struggle to find purpose in life. The first verse highlights the importance of distance in finding a sense of security and freedom. The singer asserts that by removing oneself from the expectations and demands of others, one can be protected from the potential harm and disappointment that comes with caring for someone or something. The second verse explores the idea of identity and the struggle that comes with trying to be true to oneself while also feeling the pressure to conform to societal norms. The singer acknowledges that every story, whether in life or a movie, must come to an end, and despite this, many individuals struggle to move forward or make meaningful changes in their lives.
The chorus of the song encourages action, to not wait around for something to happen or to continue the same patterns of stagnancy. The repetition of the phrase "going nowhere" emphasizes the idea of being stuck or trapped, and highlights the struggle to move forward despite a desire for change. The final verse references past trauma and the way it can haunt us, keeping us trapped within our former selves. The imagery of being preserved in amber, frozen in time and unable to progress, reinforces this idea of being stuck in the past, unable to move forward or find a way out of the cycle of despair.
Overall, "Nowhere" is a powerful and poignant reflection on the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. It highlights the way that past trauma and societal pressures can keep us trapped, but ultimately encourages action and change in the face of hopelessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody can find you when you're nowhere
You are hidden from the world when you live in a state of self-denial
Living on the other side of hope
You have no hope left in your life
Nobody can hurt you when you don't care
When you are indifferent to everything, nothing can hurt you
Singing like you're swinging on a rope
You are living dangerously, taking risks that can put you in harm's way
Don't worry if you never have been happy
You have always been unhappy, so it should be no surprise to you
Disappointment is your only friend
You are used to being disappointed, so you only expect disappointment from life
It's not like there's nothing to believe in
There are things to believe in, but you choose not to
Every movie's got to have an end
Everything comes to an end, even if it seems hopeless
What are you waiting for?
Why are you still alive? What is the point?
Let's get out of here
It's time to end your life and escape the pain
When you've got nothing
When you have lost everything
You've got nothing left to fear
You have reached the point where there is nothing left for you to be afraid of
(Yeah, hey) Going nowhere...
You have no direction in life, just going through the motions
How long can you just go on pretending
You have been living a lie for so long, but how long can you keep it up?
To be yourself when you know that you're not ?
You are pretending to be someone you are not, and you know it
Even when there's not much of a plot
Life can be boring and meaningless, but there is still an end
If your lover used to beat you with his anger (failure)
You have been in an abusive relationship that has left you scarred
If your mother used to tie you to a rock
You have had traumatic experiences that have affected your mental and emotional well-being
Observe your former life preserved in amber
You have become stuck in your past, unable to move forward
Like someone pulled the power on the clock
You feel like you have lost control over your life, and time is slipping away
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TODD C. ASHLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind