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.
Glitch
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cities on blackout
Satellites are knocked out
I-phones, laptops, it's one big belly flop
Servers, TV, alarms and security
And everything's gone in seconds
Everyone knows it's over
Borders on lock down, everything's on shut down, Everyone knows it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Where's my light, my water, my flight across the pond?
Where's my summer holiday - what the hell's gone wrong?
The economy is doomed, infrastructure ruined
Everyone knows it's over
It's an aberration, they're working on the back-up
Everyone knows it's over
It's an aberration, it's just a minor hiccup
But everyone know it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Cities on blackout
Satellites are knocked out
I-phones, laptops, it's one big belly flop
Servers, TV, alarms and security
And everything's gone in seconds
Cars are all crashing, planes are all grounded
Everyone knows it's over
Borders on lock down, everything's on shut down
Everyone knows it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch
"Glitch" by Killing Joke describes the catastrophic effects of a solar storm causing a global technological shutdown. The song outlines the instantaneous collapse of modern infrastructure, communication, and technology like servers, TV, alarms, and security. The lyrics paint a picture of a world in turmoil, where chaos rules outside as everyone faces the aftermath of the event.
The song also explores the emotional and psychological impact of the disaster, with people feeling lost and disoriented without easy access to basic necessities like light, water, and food. The lyrics highlight the sense of desperation, frustration, and helplessness as people come to grips with the new reality of a world without technology.
Overall, "Glitch" is a haunting, thought-provoking critique of our dependence on technology and the vulnerability of modern society to unexpected disasters.
Line by Line Meaning
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Prepare yourself for the inevitable technological failure
Cities on blackout
Entire cities are without power
Satellites are knocked out
Communication satellites are no longer functioning
I-phones, laptops, it's one big belly flop
All personal electronic devices fail simultaneously
Servers, TV, alarms and security
Critical infrastructure has also failed
And everything's gone in seconds
The collapse was swift and complete
Cars are all crashing, planes are all grounded
The transportation industry is in disarray
Everyone knows it's over
The situation is irrevocable
Borders on lock down, everything's on shut down
Governments have taken emergency measures
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
Environmental factors have caused destruction
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Basic necessities are unavailable due to the collapse
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Without communication, people are left to fend for themselves
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
People are angry and agitated, but there is no relief in sight
The economy is doomed, infrastructure ruined
The repercussions will be long-lasting and severe
It's an aberration, they're working on the back-up
Authorities are scrambling to fix the problem
It's an aberration, it's just a minor hiccup
Some are trying to downplay the severity of the situation
Contributed by Makayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ObscuraPrima
MOST ANARCHIC SONG EVER?:Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Cities on blackout
Satellites are knocked out
I-phones, laptops, it's one big belly flop
Servers, TV, alarms and security
And everything's gone in seconds
Cars are all crashing, planes are all grounded
Everyone knows it's over
Borders on lock down, everything's on shut down, Everyone knows it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Where's my light, my water, my flight across the pond?
Where's my summer holiday - what the hell's gone wrong?
The economy is doomed, infrastructure ruined
Everyone knows it's over
It's an aberration, they're working on the back-up
Everyone knows it's over
It's an aberration, it's just a minor hiccup
But everyone know it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Cities on blackout
Satellites are knocked out
I-phones, laptops, it's one big belly flop
Servers, TV, alarms and security
And everything's gone in seconds
Cars are all crashing, planes are all grounded
Everyone knows it's over
Borders on lock down, everything's on shut down
Everyone knows it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
GlitchThe solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch
Voltaire1789
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Cities on blackout
Satellites are knocked out
I-phones, laptops, it's one big belly flop
Servers, TV, alarms and security
And everything's gone in seconds
Cars are all crashing, planes are all grounded
Everyone knows it's over
Borders on lock down, everything's on shut down, Everyone knows it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Where's my light, my water, my flight across the pond?
Where's my summer holiday - what the hell's gone wrong?
The economy is doomed, infrastructure ruined
Everyone knows it's over
It's an aberration, they're working on the back-up
Everyone knows it's over
It's an aberration, it's just a minor hiccup
But everyone know it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Cities on blackout
Satellites are knocked out
I-phones, laptops, it's one big belly flop
Servers, TV, alarms and security
And everything's gone in seconds
Cars are all crashing, planes are all grounded
Everyone knows it's over
Borders on lock down, everything's on shut down
Everyone knows it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch
Prof. Josemar Ferrari
A maior banda de todos os tempos!!
Tad Leger
This album is undeniable proof that the old guard STILL hold the reigns to greatness. I just can't believe how heavy this album gets. This track is so stomping.
ObscuraPrima
MOST ANARCHIC SONG EVER?:Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Cities on blackout
Satellites are knocked out
I-phones, laptops, it's one big belly flop
Servers, TV, alarms and security
And everything's gone in seconds
Cars are all crashing, planes are all grounded
Everyone knows it's over
Borders on lock down, everything's on shut down, Everyone knows it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Where's my light, my water, my flight across the pond?
Where's my summer holiday - what the hell's gone wrong?
The economy is doomed, infrastructure ruined
Everyone knows it's over
It's an aberration, they're working on the back-up
Everyone knows it's over
It's an aberration, it's just a minor hiccup
But everyone know it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch, get ready for the glitch
Cities on blackout
Satellites are knocked out
I-phones, laptops, it's one big belly flop
Servers, TV, alarms and security
And everything's gone in seconds
Cars are all crashing, planes are all grounded
Everyone knows it's over
Borders on lock down, everything's on shut down
Everyone knows it's over
The solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
GlitchThe solar storms have come and chaos rules outside
The freezer's broke, the food is off, the GPS has died
Communications have all gone down and the world is flying blind
Everyone's at boiling point (and no-one's got the ice)
Glitch
MisterHaterHater
Gotta admit, the chorus on this song sounds almost exactly like the chorus on "Intravenous" off of "Extremities", but otherwise, this song kicks ass! I'm not complaining at all!
MrAero164
Saved me from commenting the same!
PositiveLastAction
Love this song! One of the best on the album.
Delete Bilderberg
‘This is not a pandemic - it’s a technocratic coup d’etat dressed up as one’
Jaz Coleman, 2021.
BorealisJames
The best song on the best album by the best band this year.
Jimmy Calhoun
I remember a smug twentysomething DJ, back when "Millennium" came out, saying the song was "Proof old guys can still rock." Jaz was, what, 35 at the time? In any case, a full two decades later, he's still rockin'...
Jeff Blanks
@tester123532456 It kinda was, back then. It certainly was in 1980, back when rock was still "young people's music" and "old" just meant "not young".