Riot in English
Dale Lyrics


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Lyrics by Dale, Music by Robert Brookins

Film at eleven there's a war out in the street
Rolling lucky seven, something feels incomplete

Hands that divide time counting backwards in heat
All that's yours should be mine
Want both sides of the sun to meet

Swing low, sweet sin
Never know 'til I'm in
Riot in English (riot in English)
Riot in English (riot in English)

Somewhere over the cuckoo's nest
Skylark 17
Tiptoes through the tulips, do you know what I mean

Conquered by the best of mice
Lipstick and a phone call later
Domino paradise--all for the price
Will you be the one to save her

Swing low (swing low)
Sweet sin (sweet sin)
Never know, till I'm in
Riot in English (riot in English)
Riot in English
Riot in English (riot in English)
Riot in English

Swing low (swing low) sweet sin (sweet sin) never know til I'm in
Swing low (swing low) sweet sin (sweet sin) never know til I'm in





Lipstick and a phone call later
Riot in English, riot in English [repeat

Overall Meaning

The song "Riot in English" by Dale and Robert Brookins is a complex piece of work that explores themes of chaos, confusion, and desire. The opening lines of the song evoke an image of a violent conflict, with the singer referencing a war on the streets. The next few lines suggest a feeling of dissatisfaction or incompleteness, with the singer longing for something that is out of reach. The phrase "hands that divide time counting backwards in heat" is particularly intriguing, as it seems to suggest an urgency or desperation that fuels the singer's desires.


The next verse takes the listener on a bit of a journey, referencing the classic film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and the song "Tip-Toe Through the Tulips." These seemingly random references add to the sense of chaos and confusion in the song, as the singer jumps from one idea to the next without any clear throughline. However, the final lines of the verse are more concrete, with the singer referencing a "domino paradise" and asking if the listener will be the one to "save her."


Throughout the song, the repeated refrain of "swing low, sweet sin, never know 'til I'm in" adds to the sense of longing and desire that runs through the piece. The final line, "lipstick and a phone call later, riot in English," is both cryptic and evocative, leaving the listener with a sense of uncertainty about what has just occurred.


Overall, "Riot in English" is a rich and complex piece of work that rewards close analysis and interpretation. The song explores themes of desire, chaos, and confusion, with the repeated refrain adding to the sense of longing that runs through the piece.


Line by Line Meaning

Film at eleven there's a war out in the street
Breaking news at 11 pm, a violent conflict has broken out in the streets


Rolling lucky seven, something feels incomplete
Despite succeeding in one way, the situation still feels unsettled


Hands that divide time counting backwards in heat
Anxiously ticking off the seconds that are counting down


All that's yours should be mine
Desiring something that belongs to someone else, coveting what is not yours


Want both sides of the sun to meet
Asking for an impossible or unrealistic desire


Somewhere over the cuckoo's nest Skylark 17
Referencing different things but with no clear connection between them


Tiptoes through the tulips, do you know what I mean
Making an obscure reference that may not make sense to others


Conquered by the best of mice Lipstick and a phone call later
Being defeated by something that seems small or insignificant


Domino paradise--all for the price Will you be the one to save her
Offering an opportunity with a catch or showing that everything has a price


Swing low (swing low) sweet sin (sweet sin) never know til I'm in
Referring to something that is tempting and may lead to negative consequences


Riot in English (riot in English)
Chaos or confusion that is difficult to understand or express in words


Lipstick and a phone call later Riot in English, riot in English
A situation that quickly spirals out of control




Contributed by William V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@taja4u

this is one of my favorite songs in my library it is a gem and i really enjoy it

@hitmangfx7162

This song kicks some serious ass on good headphones.

@smilecat69

One of my favorite album from 1988.

@marubeni4159

amazing sound....

@LucifersTreasure

@rhymeandreasoning You're welcome, I'm 20 and recently discovered MP/Dale and I'm in love with their stuff, not only because I'm a sucker for 80's/early 90's music but because the lyrics are most of the time spot on, their first album is like my bible.

@gamesmaster90

Fantastic. If this was released properly then it would be a household song. Shame, she could have been as big as Madonna.

@GregoryGregory916

That Minneapolis sound 🔊

#RIP

@preciousbash

HOLY CRAP.... MORE DALE!!! MORE MORE MORE!!! Luv Riot in English( Simon Simon!!!),and Missing Persons( words, walking in LA,I like Boys,Windows,us drag, it ain't none of your business,mental hopscotch,right now,surrender your heart, and all the other amazing songs on Spring Session M and the The best of Missing Persons. THANKS FOR UPLOADING THIS!!! AWESOME!!

@rhymeandreasoning

thanks for posting..huge fan of Dale/ MP since i was a teen in the 80s...her RIOT IN ENGLISH lp i LOVE !

@LucifersTreasure

She's so perfect, my idol.

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