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.
Eighties
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eighties, I have to push, I have to struggle
Eighties, get out of my way, I'm not for sale no more
Eighties, let's kamikaze 'til we get there
And we sang
You do it this way
Eighties, I'm in love with the coming race
Eighties, I've got the best, I'll take all I can get
Eighties, I'm living for the eighties
Eighties, I'm living in the eighties, I push
Eighties, I'm living
Eighties, I'm living in the eighties, I struggle
Eighties, I'm living
Eighties, I'm living
Eighties, I'm living in the eighties
Eighties, I'm living in the eighties, I push
Eighties, push, push, struggle
Eighties, I'm living
Eighties, eighties, I'm living
Eighties, I'm living in the eighties, I push
The lyrics to Killing Joke's "Eighties" reflect the band's views on the greed and materialism of the 1980s. The repeated lines "I'm living in the eighties, I push, I struggle" convey a sense of frustration and desperation as people try to keep up with the fast-paced, consumerist society of the era. The line "get out of my way, I'm not for sale no more" suggests a rebellion against this way of life and a desire for something more meaningful.
The chorus, with its repetition of the word "eighties," reinforces the idea that this is a defining era and also highlights the band's nostalgia for the time. The lines "by day we run, by night we dance" and "I'm in love with the coming race" indicate a sense of excitement about the possibilities of the future.
Overall, "Eighties" is a commentary on the cultural and social changes taking place during the decade and a call to resist the negative aspects of it. The song's catchy melody and pulsing beat also add to the feeling of urgency and rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
Eighties, I'm living in the eighties
The singer emphasizes that they are living in, and are a product of, the decade of the 1980s.
Eighties, I have to push, I have to struggle
The singer acknowledges the intense pressure and difficulty of living in the 80s, but emphasizes the need to persevere in order to succeed.
Eighties, get out of my way, I'm not for sale no more
The singer asserts their independence and refusal to be controlled or influenced by external forces, particularly the capitalist and materialistic culture of the 80s.
Eighties, let's kamikaze 'til we get there
The artist suggests that in order to achieve their goals and overcome the hardships of the 80s, it may be necessary to adopt drastic measures and take risks.
And we sang / You do it this way
These lines suggest that the artist and their peers are united in their struggle and support each other, as symbolized by the communal act of singing and the repetition and sharing of a specific action (doing it 'this way').
Eighties, by day we run by night we dance, we do
The singer highlights the dichotomy of daily life and night time activities in the 80s, and the need for both work and play in order to survive and thrive.
Eighties, I'm in love with the coming race
The coming race may refer to an ideal future society or a specific movement, and the singer expresses their adoration and devotion to this vision.
Eighties, I've got the best, I'll take all I can get
The artist suggests that they have achieved success and acquired significant wealth or power in the 80s, and are determined to continue accumulating as much as possible.
Eighties, I'm living for the eighties
The artist reiterates their intense focus and dedication to the decade of the 80s, and suggests that this period of time is the most important and relevant to their life.
Eighties, push, push, struggle
This refrain serves as a mantra for the artist and encapsulates the central themes of perseverance, determination, and the difficult realities of living in the 80s.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEREMY COLEMAN, KEVIN WALKER, PAUL FERGUSON, PAUL VINCENT RAVEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vjr4763
THIS WAS THE LAST SONG THAT I HEARD IN THE 1980s.
That's true.
On 31 DEC 1989 at a few minutes before midnight, I played this song on my record player and timed it perfectly so the song would end at 11:59:59 PM.
It was the last time that I could say I was "living in the Eighties".
I first heard this song when I saw this video on MTV during Father's Day Weekend 1984. I only saw the video once or twice that weekend and I never caught the album it was from. Nonetheless, this song and video changed my life.
Later, I discovered one of my students was a fan of this band and he told me that this song was from the Night Time album, so I promptly went to the record store and bought it on LP.
@WritingOnGames
RIP to one of the most underrated guitarists ever. He will truly be missed.
@nimhard
Word. What an amazing guitar player. Truly original.
@sunnystormy4973
underrated is so overused..
@stevestrange965
@@sunnystormy4973 makes the poster look clever!
@KRAEMERP2010
The word underrated is overrated..!
@skinheadyouth66
Unbelievable how great he was sorely missed love his work. Not replaceable imo
@deepthunder1034
RIP Geordie Walker.... His playing was on another level. Especially the riffs on this one, outstanding! A sad day.
@nimhard
His work will always be cherished. Truly one of a kind.
@alankershaw3215
His guitar was hollowed out unlike everybody else to produce that great sound.
@janec1489
He looked so cool in this video