Grave Ride
John Lydon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I said I'd rescue you
But their troops had taken hold
At last you're not alone in that city
Am I safer, here in the cold?
These bombs and bullets at night
You wear like jewelry
Between you and me
Let's hope it's not a grave
No war is worth it, without you
No point in living without you
I know you feel the way I do
It's not a real world without you
Let's hope it's not a grave
I heard some friends got taken for a ride
A one way journey, everybody died
It's not unusual, many go that way
Their numbers mounting every single day
But what can I do but hope you're still alive
This is what happens when opposites collide
Public, and private, arbitrary death
'Cause war is power and power is business
We are but numbers, statistics on a sheet
This is what happens whenever humans meet
No need for fingers, we know who to blame
Intolerance will end and start this game
I write this letter while taken for a ride
Maybe I'll see you on the other side
Let's hope it's not a grave
Two fingers crossed, hope it's not a grave
But what can I do but hope you're still alive
This is what happens when opposites collide
Public and private, arbitrary death
'Cause war is power, and power business
These bombs and bullets at night
You wear like jewelry
That seems to be the difference
Between you and me
Hope it's not a grave
The song "Grave Ride" by John Lydon is a politically charged commentary on war and its consequences. The lyrics describe the hopeless feeling of being caught in the middle of a violent conflict, and the fear of never seeing loved ones again. The singer expresses regret over not being able to rescue someone from the danger of war, but ultimately acknowledges that war is a brutal and senseless business.
Throughout the song, the imagery of bombs and bullets is contrasted with the idea of jewelry, suggesting that violence has become a kind of adornment for those caught up in war. However, the singer recognizes that this brutality is not a choice but an inevitability in a world where power is synonymous with warfare. Ultimately, the song is a call to end this cycle of violence and destruction.
The chorus of the song, "No war is worth it, without you / No point in living without you / It's not a real world without you / Let's hope it's not a grave," is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. Despite the violence and destruction, the singer emphasizes that the most important thing is not winning or losing, but the people who are impacted by the conflict.
Overall, "Grave Ride" is a powerful critique of war and its consequences. Through vivid imagery and emotive language, John Lydon highlights the futility of violence and calls for a more compassionate and peaceful world.
Line by Line Meaning
Taken for a ride
I have been deceived and manipulated
I know I said I'd rescue you
I promised to help you, but I couldn't follow through
But their troops had taken hold
The enemy had gained control of the area
At last you're not alone in that city
You have the company of others in a dangerous and uncertain place
Am I safer, here in the cold?
I question whether I am any better off, even though I am not in immediate danger
These bombs and bullets at night
The weapons used in war that pose a constant threat
You wear like jewelry
You have become accustomed to the danger and have normalized it
That seems to be the difference
This is what sets us apart
Between you and me
The contrast between our experiences
Let's hope it's not a grave
We both hope that death does not await us
No war is worth it, without you
I only find meaning in fighting for you
No point in living without you
Life loses its value without you
I know you feel the way I do
I believe you share my sentiment
It's not a real world without you
Without you, the world seems surreal and pointless
I heard some friends got taken for a ride
I have heard of others being deceived, just like me
A one way journey, everybody died
They were killed and had no chance to escape
It's not unusual, many go that way
This is a common occurrence in the horrors of war
Their numbers mounting every single day
The death toll rises steadily
But what can I do but hope you're still alive
I feel powerless to protect you, so I can only hold on to hope
This is what happens when opposites collide
The clash of different ideals leads to conflict and destruction
Public, and private, arbitrary death
People die without warning, regardless of their social status or personal circumstances
'Cause war is power and power is business
Wars are waged by those who seek to maintain or gain power, who see it as a means to profit
We are but numbers, statistics on a sheet
In the grand scheme of things, individuals do not matter, only the results do
This is what happens whenever humans meet
Conflict and violence are all too common in human interactions
No need for fingers, we know who to blame
There is always someone or something to hold responsible for the chaos that ensues
Intolerance will end and start this game
The cycle of violence will continue as long as we fail to embrace acceptance and empathy
I write this letter while taken for a ride
I am writing this in the midst of uncertainty and danger
Maybe I'll see you on the other side
I hope to reunite with you after this ordeal, if fate allows
Two fingers crossed, hope it's not a grave
We both pray for survival and a better future
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN LYDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
IANdrewDiceClay
Lydon wrote and played all the instruments on this whole album. Talented dude.
Daddy Remake
Actually like it more than few previous pil albums also vocals are top here he's one of it's kind
x x
Wow, such a powerful and moving love song. Glad to know there are other human beings on this earth that feel/love as deeply as I do!
Sean Linkoln
Ah John Lydon. When he's good, he's really good, when he's bad, he's still pretty good.
Carlton Harris
I've never heard this album before but it flows very nicely with the different things mixing in and out. Plus, he is singing which is a bit unusual but sounds not so bad.
Malvin Mainwaring
Classic Lyndon great lyrics
Malvin Mainwaring
Lydon
לא
I really wanna get this CD,I'm such a big PiL fan. ^_^
warren peace
thank you for posting this i love this album. i first herd this in a buddys car at work. and was hooked. i had to order this online the didnt have it in any stores. do you think you could post up grave ride moby mix thats a deadly track
wayne titus
these bombs and bullets u wear them like jewellery ... 'and that is the difference between u and me... ' ace poetry from mr j lydon again , nails a frame of reality like a true poet , !