Watching the Wildlife
Frankie Goes to Hollywood Lyrics


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Watching the wildlife
On my way home, the state of Rome
People gliding on the floor
Pleased with life not needing more
Sunset on the river
People go home in the rain
Familiar faces on the train
Running scared, and staying sane

If you live by the sword
Well that's your own reward
So don't walk with me
Watching the wildlife
The beast within you
Eats your heart out
Get free from hate and get in love

Boys in the backyard
The girls are hanging out the lines
Washing the day, wash your troubles away
It's game we have to play
Ghosts are chasing you round
Things that happen in the past
Don't make that mistake again
The sun beats down the streets of passion

If you live by the sword
Well that's your own reward
So don't talk with me
Watching the wildlife
The beast within you
Eats your heart out
Get free from hate and get in love

Your own worst enemy
Get free from hate and get in love

If you live by the sword
Watching the wildlife
Watching you
The beast within you too
Watching the wildlife

Get in love, get in love

Watching the wildlife
We all live in a dream in home
We watch TV and drive a car
We go outside, but not too far
Watching the wildlife
We walk the water like a sun
Living cuts you like a knife
Living here watching the Wildlife





Get in love, get in love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Frankie Goes to Hollywood's song Watching the Wildlife describe the idea of living life as if it's a controlled experience where individuals go about their daily routines, chasing after pleasure and avoiding pain, rather than living consciously and experiencing the fullness of life. The song is a commentary on the superficiality of modern life, where people are passive observers of the world around them, rather than active participants. The lyrics use imagery such as the state of Rome, the sunset on the river, and people hanging out the lines, to convey a sense of nostalgia for simpler times, when people were more connected with nature and each other.


The chorus warns against living by the sword, a term that refers to living a violent or aggressive lifestyle, because it will ultimately lead to destructive consequences. Instead, the song encourages listeners to embrace love and move away from hate, to free themselves from self-sabotage.


Overall, the message of Watching the Wildlife is one of awakening to the beauty and depth of existence, away from the superficiality of modern life. It's a reminder to connect with nature, live consciously, and reject a life of passive observation.


Line by Line Meaning

Watching the wildlife
Observing the beauty of nature


On my way home, the state of Rome
Reflecting on my journey home and the state of my surroundings


People gliding on the floor
Witnessing people dancing and enjoying life's simple pleasures


Pleased with life not needing more
Feeling content and satisfied with what life has to offer


Sunset on the river
Watching the sun go down over the river


People go home in the rain
Seeing people return home on a rainy day


Familiar faces on the train
Noticing familiar people on my commute


Running scared, and staying sane
Feeling afraid of certain situations but managing to keep a level head


If you live by the sword
If you lead a violent life


Well that's your own reward
You'll get what's coming to you


So don't walk with me
Don't associate with me if you're violent


The beast within you
The violent tendencies inside of you


Eats your heart out
Consumes you and destroys your soul


Get free from hate and get in love
Let go of anger and learn to love


Boys in the backyard
Boys playing outside


The girls are hanging out the lines
Girls hanging laundry on the clothesline


Washing the day, wash your troubles away
Cleaning and freeing oneself from problems


It's game we have to play
Life is a game we must participate in


Ghosts are chasing you round
Haunted by past traumas


Things that happen in the past
Events that occurred before


Don't make that mistake again
Learn from past mistakes


The sun beats down the streets of passion
The passionate atmosphere on a sunny day


Your own worst enemy
You are your own greatest obstacle


Watching you
Observing your actions


The beast within you too
Everyone has their own inner demons


We all live in a dream in home
We tend to live our lives in a comfortable bubble


We watch TV and drive a car
Our mundane everyday activities


We go outside, but not too far
We only venture out of our comfort zone to a certain extent


We walk the water like a sun
We move around fluidly and confidently


Living cuts you like a knife
Life can be painful


Watching here the Wildlife
Continuing to observe the beauty in nature


Get in love, get in love
Learn to love




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN PHILIP NASH, HOLLY JOHNSON, MARK WILLIAM O'TOOLE, PETER GILL, WILLIAM HOLLY JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

William Sauer

the potential they had is crazy... Liverpool is a masterpiece, listen to it 30 years later and it's still mesmerising.

Mike G

(Meaning they would have faded when grunge and gangster rap came in)

Mike G

Its good 30 years later. But in the realm of music. They were hip to the sound. Which changed 6 years later

Nick Heaton

@James M. Browne - thanks mate, I went and had a look while I was listening to the album. What an amazing job he did! He's had a notable career too, apart from working with Trevor Horn. Just found out he did the Dark Knight with Hans Zimmer.

James M. Browne

@Nick Heaton Horn’s engineer Stephen Lipson produced Liverpool. Did a fantastic job, too.

Nick Heaton

Frankie was always one of my favourites. Actually thought Liverpool was more epic than Pleasure Dome. It felt like an evolution in their writing. Was this also Trevor Horn?

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Stew's Retro Reviews

Holly needs to get back with his band mates, sure they would be amazing together still. Make it happen Holly!!

Victoria Parker

Holly Johnson has got a great voice.

Res, Non Verba

When he's singing, yes absolutely.

Kaiser Edward Appah

End of an Era for Frankie after this one ☝🏿.

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