99 Red Balloons
Happy Hardcore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got,
Set them free at the break of dawn, one by one they have gone,
Back at base, back to the subway,
Flash the message someones out there,
Floatin' in the Summer sky, 99 Red Ballons go by.
The opening lines of Happy Hardcore's song "99 Red Balloons" describe two people purchasing a bag of balloons and setting them free at dawn. The imagery of a "little toy shop" and the limited amount of money the pair have to spend on the balloons evoke a sense of childhood innocence and playfulness, suggesting that the act of releasing the balloons is a spontaneous, joyful moment. However, the second half of the verse takes on a more ominous tone - the balloons float away, the pair head "back to base, back to the subway," and a message is flashed indicating that "someone's out there." The final line of the verse, "99 Red Balloons go by," implies that these innocent objects have taken on a more sinister significance - perhaps they are being used as a signal or a threat.
The song's chorus elaborates on this idea, suggesting that the 99 balloons have been mistaken for UFOs and have triggered a military response. The lyrics describe pilots scrambling to confront the balloons, only to realize their mistake too late. The repeated refrain of "Ninety-nine red balloons / Floating in the summer sky / Panic lads, it's a red alert / There's something here from somewhere else" underscores the confusion and fear that the balloons have caused, but also highlights the absurdity of a military response to such an innocuous phenomenon.
Overall, "99 Red Balloons" could be interpreted as a commentary on the paranoia and fear that characterized the era in which it was written (the late Cold War period of the 1980s). The balloons represent a simple, harmless object that is mistaken for something more terrifying due to the prevailing climate of mistrust and suspicion. The song's upbeat, danceable sound contrasts with the darker, thought-provoking lyrics, making it a quintessential example of the Happy Hardcore genre.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I in a little toy shop
We, as a collective unit comprising of you and me, find ourselves in a small establishment specializing in toys and playful merchandise.
Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got
We purchase a container holding multitudes of inflatable objects using the funds at our disposal.
Set them free at the break of dawn, one by one they have gone
During the earliest moments of daylight, we set these balloons adrift into the atmosphere, watching as they depart from our grasp individually.
Back at base, back to the subway
As we retreat from our initial location, we are directed towards transportation in the form of an underground railway.
Flash the message someones out there
With an urgent need to communicate, we emit a signal in hopes of informing others of our presence.
Floatin' in the Summer sky, 99 Red Ballons go by.
As our vibrant and colorful balloons soar through the heavens during sunny days, we can witness ninety-nine of them moving past us in unison.
Contributed by Nicholas C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@simonhperry
You and I in a little toy shop
Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got
Set them free at the break of dawn
'Till one by one they all were gone
Back at base, bugs in the software
Flash the message, "Someone's out there"
Floating in the summer sky,
99 red balloons go by,
99 red balloons floating in the summer sky
Panic bells! it's red alert!
There's something here from somewhere else
The war machine it springs to life
Opens up one eager eye
Focusing it on the sky as 99 red balloons go by
99 Decision Street, 99 ministers meet
To worry, worry, super scurry
Call out the troops now in a hurry
This is what we've waited for
This is it boys this is war
The president is on the line
As 99 red balloons go by
99 Kriegsminister
Streichholz und Benzinkanister
Hielten sichβ¦
59/5000
Secretary of war
Matchstick and jerrycans
Held each other ...
@onlyhonestpersononyoutube
The piano sounds of this song and other at happy hardcore raves, was bliss in 1990s.
Happy hardcore was our version of classical music, the ups and downs, and it was amazing, with the strobe lights buzzing in your eyes, and you had no idea about anything in this but that moment.
Makes me laugh you people today changed the name of this music to dubstep or what ever.
Its not the same as 1990s happy hardcore.
Happy hardcore really summed up that music, and what it was like.
@nathanaustin134
This is one of the first songs I ever downloaded (entirely by chance) off of Limewire back in like 2005 or 2006. It was one of, if not, the first electronic song I had in my possession. I can't believe I found this version again after all these years.
@laura-jy7cw
πlimewire! Sitting watching songs download and praying it's the actual song and not more porn π
@NotGreig
Omg me too. I was 14 and it unlocked a memory for me. I could honestly cry. Life just never fells the same.
@rebefarfort1244
This one always makes me cry. They played it at our friend's funeral. He was the same age as us give or take a couple of years but our parents didn'g let us go. They let off 99 red balloons.
@carlbaxterbaxter5849
Played this at my mums funeral too! Im sorry the loss of your friend what a sad day but one day we will all be togeter in the biggest rave in the sky !
@tds_info_db9184
im sorry of both your losses i subbed to both of u but... RAVING TILL WE DIE TO THIS ;]
@rebefarfort1244
@TDS_INFO_DB thanks
@tds_info_db9184
no problem dude
@philroberts97
Happy hardcore
@5pyd3rwheretheresawebthere44
the music and era that brought all ages together. H.T.I.D 38 years old
now and still bouncing even my 6 year old loves it. parent level 999 lol