A key influence on industrial rock, their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan as well as industrial metal and "quasi-metal, dancing to a tune of doom and gloom," which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of electronic music, synth-pop, gothic rock, and alternative rock, though always emphasizing Coleman's "savagely strident vocals."
Finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have influenced many later bands, such as Nirvana, Ministry, Amen, Lamb of God, Nine Inch Nails, Napalm Death, Amebix, Big Black, Godflesh, Tool, Prong, Metallica, Primus, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Faith No More, Blacklist, Shihad and Korn, all of whom have at some point cited some debt of gratitude to Killing Joke.
Chop-chop
Killing Joke Lyrics
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Pretty road names pass us by, a foundation sound
They paint their walls and ceilings white to feel clean inside
Ten square miles so synchronized I could have cried
And the bodies go by barely half awake
Awaiting things to come again, nice things to come
It's such a nice environment I'm in
All but the few ever notice anything at all, Oh dear
All but the few ever notice anything at all.
I've got a nice new wristwatch with a bright red strap
The second hand really moves quite fast - I'd never thought of that
And then I pick my picture book to compensate outside
It's back to fiction once again, I could have cried.
And the bodies go by barely half awake
Awaiting things to come again, nice things to come
It's such a nice environment I'm in
I wonder why I'm here and the bodies go by barely half awake.
All but the few ever notice anything at all, Oh dear
All but the few ever notice anything at all
The lyrics to Chop Chop by Killing Joke offer a commentary on the superficiality of modern society. The opening lines describe a new town with pristine painted walls and clean surroundings that seem almost sterile, as if the residents are trying to hide from the realities of the world outside. Despite the seemingly perfect façade, the bodies of the people passing by are barely half awake, waiting for something better to come along. The singer wonders why he is even there, making it clear that he does not buy into the illusion of the perfect environment, and he feels like crying.
The second verse delves further into this theme of artificiality. The singer describes his wristwatch, which has a bright red strap and a second hand that moves quickly, almost like a warning that time is slipping away. Wanting to escape from this reality, the singer chooses a picture book, hoping it can offer some reprieve from the sterile and unsatisfying surroundings. However, it seems like just another form of fiction, and he could have cried.
Overall, the lyrics to Chop Chop assess the ways in which people can become lost in the artifice of modernity, detached from the realities of life and failing to notice real-world issues. The song offers a perspective on the emptiness that can come from participating in a consumer society that prioritizes form over substance.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a walk to the new town, take a look around
Let's explore this new town and see what it has to offer
Pretty road names pass us by, a foundation sound
We see the well-constructed streets and hear their sturdy foundation
They paint their walls and ceilings white to feel clean inside
The people here try to create a sense of purity and cleanliness by painting everything white
Ten square miles so synchronized I could have cried
The area is so uniform and consistent that it's almost overwhelming
And the bodies go by barely half awake
The people here seem to be going through the motions, like they're not fully present or conscious
Awaiting things to come again, nice things to come
They seem to be waiting for something good to happen, something that will excite and inspire them
It's such a nice environment I'm in
Despite the lack of energy and vitality, the environment itself is pleasant and appealing
I wonder why I'm here and the bodies go by barely half awake.
The artist questions their own purpose and why they exist in this place of stagnation
All but the few ever notice anything at all, Oh dear
The majority of people are oblivious to their surroundings and don't take the time to appreciate or question what's going on
I've got a nice new wristwatch with a bright red strap
The artist bought a new watch that adds a pop of color to their life
The second hand really moves quite fast - I'd never thought of that
The singer is fascinated by the movement of the watch's second hand, realizing that time moves quickly
And then I pick my picture book to compensate outside
To escape the monotony of reality, the artist turns to a book for entertainment and stimulation
It's back to fiction once again, I could have cried.
The singer is disappointed that they have to resort to fiction again to find excitement and meaning in their life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAZ COLEMAN, MATTHEW FERGUSON, MARTIN GLOVER, KEVIN WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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