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.
Sanity
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We cherished the seconds, counted the days
And people move with lines across their faces
Embracing each other with a smile
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
We'll remember summer sun that yields
Shed our bodies heart and soul for love's sake
Civilizations wax and wane.
innocence will fade away like Autumn
Likewise the dream of youth, the task
And we shall be at peace upon our parting
With the thoughts of loved ones in our hearts
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
So let the sunrise light up the distnat shores
And we'll remember last days of Rome again.
The lyrics to Killing Joke's song "Sanity" seem to be exploring themes of time, memory, and the impermanence of human existence. The opening line, "All across the scenes the statues crumble," suggests the gradual decay of human civilization, while the next line highlights the importance of cherishing each moment in life. The description of people with "lines across their faces" emphasizes the passing of time and the effects it has on our physical beings. Despite this, the song portrays a sense of hope as people continue to embrace each other with a smile.
The repeated lines of "For sanity's sake" highlight the importance of maintaining one's mental health amidst the chaos of life. The song acknowledges the fleeting nature of existence, but also notes that memories and love can comfort us in the face of mortality. The final lines about the sunrise and the last days of Rome suggest a cyclical nature to history - civilizations rise and fall, but life continues on.
Overall, "Sanity" is a reflective and introspective song that encourages listeners to be present in the moment and cherish their memories and loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
All across the scenes the statues crumble
The inevitable decay of time is witnessed through the destruction of monuments.
We cherished the seconds, counted the days
Time is valued and its passing can be felt.
And people move with lines across their faces
Age and experience reflect on one's face.
Embracing each other with a smile
Showing affection and happiness towards others.
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
Doing these actions is necessary for the preservation of one's mental health.
We'll remember distant times and places
Memories of past events and locations will remain with us.
We'll remember summer sun that yields
The positive aspects of life are important to cherish.
Shed our bodies heart and soul for love's sake
Giving oneself fully to love and others.
Civilizations wax and wane.
Societal structures rise and fall over the course of history.
Innocence will fade away like Autumn
The loss of innocence is comparable to the changing of seasons.
Likewise the dream of youth, the task
As one ages, the desires and aspirations of youth may no longer be attainable.
And we shall be at peace upon our parting
Finding peace and acceptance in death.
With the thoughts of loved ones in our hearts
Thinking of those we care about even after we're gone.
So let the sunrise light up the distant shores
Welcoming a new day filled with possibilities.
And we'll remember last days of Rome again.
Reflecting on the past and the rise and fall of empires.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEREMY COLEMAN, MATTHEW FERGUSON, PAUL VINCENT RAVEN, KEVIN WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Humberto Mendoza
Lyrics:
All across the scenes the statues crumble
We cherished the seconds, counted the days
And people move with lines across their faces
Embracing each other with a smile
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
We'll remember distant times and places
We'll remember summer sun that yields
Shed our bodies heart and soul for love's sake
Civilizations wax and wane.
Inocence will fade away like Autumn
Likewise the dream of youth, the task
And we shall be at peace upon our parting
With the thoughts of loved ones in our hearts
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
So let the sunrise light up the distnat shores
And we'll remember last days of Rome again.
Augusto Caie Siqueira Silveira Reis
All across the scenes the statues crumble
We cherished the seconds, counted the days
And people move with lines across their faces
Embracing each other with a smile
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
We'll remember distant times and places
We'll remember summer sun that yields
Shed our bodies heart and soul for love's sake
Civilizations wax and wane.
Inocence will fade away like Autumn
Likewise the dream of youth, the task
And we shall be at peace upon our parting
With the thoughts of loved ones in our hearts
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
For sanity's sake, sanity's sake, sanity's sake
So let the sunrise light up the distnat shores
And we'll remember last days of Rome again
Rob Redhead
Brighter than a thousand suns is one of the best albums of all time in my opinion, its a timeless masterpiece from start to finish... and only the cool kids know about it.
Emmanuel Benghi
Verdade (true)...
Hoppers
Didn’t like it at all at the time. Thought they were cashing in. Think very differently now. Took the style of the day and made it darker and more atmospheric with some wonderful touches in it. Unmistakably KJ. Shame they don’t like playing it. Up their with their best.
The Real Wilde Child
@Hoppers good musicians move on and so should their fans. Their style has changed over the years and this doesn't fit in with their current sound. As much as I like this style better they probably got tired of performing it.
Daniel Thommen
Yep, "Brighter than a Thousand Suns" is for sure a timeless piece of work from lost times when everything was better, easier and less stressful... And only we, the cool kids, knew about it...
AdamS mashups
My first Killing Joke album and definitely my favorite.
hypnotank
that break at 2:15 is just incredible. I know KJ hardcores prefer to look down on this era, but this song is epic. The guitar is like a distortion of time against the rest of the beat, but menacing at the same time - the way it all bleeds together is just sublime.
Matso
Couldn't Agree more
Matso
Gives me chills
Little Dark Age
It’s okay if them fans look down on this era. The reality is that this era reaches a wider audience outside their fan base.