S.O.S.
Go West Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Watching your window
Across the street we share
Eyes on your shadow
You are unaware, unaware

Picture a stranger
Footsteps in gabardine
You sense the danger
Something unforeseen
Burning fires on your shore
Never opened any door

I'm wasting my time
You don't hear my S.O.S.
The perfect crime
To answer your S.O.S.

Leave you in silence
Change my identity
Second appearance
I will set you free
Burning fires on your shore
Never opened any door

Watching your window
Across the street we share
Eyes on your shadow
You are unaware




Burning fires on your shore
Never opened any door

Overall Meaning

In the Go West song "S.O.S.", the singer is observing someone from afar, possibly a neighbor, with whom he or she shares a street. The person doesn't seem to be aware of being watched, as expressed through the lyric "Eyes on your shadow, you are unaware." The second verse suggests that there is a sense of danger or something unforeseen, as the singer describes themselves as a stranger with footsteps in gabardine, a type of clothing that can suggest formality or an elevated status. However, there's a disconnect between the observer's perception of a threat and the person being watched, who seems unconcerned with "burning fires on [their] shore" and hasn't "opened any door" to invite any kind of confrontation.


The chorus of the song reveals the observer's frustration in attempting to communicate with the person they're watching. Despite sending out an S.O.S., they feel that their message is not being received, as the person is "unaware" of the danger they may be in. In the final verse, the observer decides to take action and "change [their] identity" in order to help the person. There's a suggestion of secrecy and subterfuge as they describe making a second appearance to "set [the person] free." The final repetition of the chorus underscores the observer's desperation and the distance they feel from the person they're trying to help.


Line by Line Meaning

Watching your window
I watch your every move from across the street, peering through your window


Across the street we share
We live very close to each other, separated only by the street


Eyes on your shadow
I keep a close eye on the silhouette of your figure


You are unaware, unaware
You have no idea that I am watching you


Picture a stranger
Imagine a person who is unfamiliar to you


Footsteps in gabardine
Hearing the sound of someone walking in a particular type of fabric


You sense the danger
You feel that something is not right


Something unforeseen
An event that was not predicted or expected


Burning fires on your shore
Trouble and chaos are happening close to your location


Never opened any door
You did not invite any of this, it is happening to you involuntarily


I'm wasting my time
My efforts are not making any impact


You don't hear my S.O.S.
You are not responding to my cry for help


The perfect crime
A situation where a criminal act may be carried out with minimal risk of being caught


To answer your S.O.S.
To reply to your plea for help and rescue you from a dangerous situation


Leave you in silence
If I don't rescue you and fulfill your S.O.S, I'll leave you in quiet and suffering


Change my identity
To assume a new personality, name or appearance so that my real identity cannot be traced back to me


Second appearance
I'll appear in front of you in a changed identity


I will set you free
I'll help you escape from the trouble and danger you're in




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COX, DRUMMIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Danny E. Loi

Alan Murphy's tone is so incredible. Rhythm tone just great and lead solo.... beautiful sound. I heard he was a real Fender guy. Preferred Fender guitars and amps. Well that was information from 35 years ago. Who knows if he were alive today what he would be playing.

Sara Richmond

One of the best 80s tracks - and albums! That bass just blows me away!! Gets my feet dancing.!!

nick Maclean

Man I love this track!

BerlinFan82

One of my favorite albums of the 80's.

Galway Ladeen

Is that bass done with an actual bass guitar or is it a synth. It's incredible. It's what makes the track

Joey DH

Wondered this myself so i came here, but im pretty sure it's a synth.

Roberto Rosendo Molina Castillo

Unforgetable memories from my nineteen old age away from my beloved Chile in a near country in 1986.

Fadi 007

That bass

jimmys fans and more

Badass song

Skye Darkclaw

So underrated, better than call me in my opinion

More Comments

More Versions