"Please Come Home" is very proggy, but itโs more about atmosphere than technical expertise, inspired by his love of science fiction and interest in the evolution of the human race.
The Signal
Lonely Robot Lyrics
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1936
Buried in the ether
Hard to get a fix
Something in the message
Made us deviate
Then incontrovertible
Now it is too late
One man built an army
One man wants a wall
In this they're united
Neither cared at all
Craving mass destruction
Motivation: greed
Millions are starving
Yet money is the creed
The only winning move
Is not to play at all
The only winning move
Is not to play at all
The only winning move
Is not to play at all
The only winning move
Is not to play at all
You are terminal, Earth
The Lonely Robot's song "The Signal" begins with the lyrics "We received your signal, 1936, buried in the ether, hard to get a fix", which can be interpreted as a message or communication being received from a faraway place in 1936 but it was difficult to track or find the source of the message. The lyrics then move on to talk about how something about the message made the receiver deviate from their path, which later led to something that became incontrovertible or impossible to deny. The next verse talks about humanity's division into two groups, with one wanting to build an army and the other wanting to build a wall. Despite their differing viewpoints, both groups are united in their desire for mass destruction, driven by greed and money, while millions of people are starving. The chorus then emphasizes the futility of this destructive mindset, stating that the only winning move is not to play at all - meaning, the only way to win is to abstain from the violent and destructive game altogether.
The lyrics of the song highlight the dangerous actions and mindset of humanity, where humans are driven by their greed and their search for power, leading them to create destruction and mayhem all around. It shows the harsh reality that while humanity has progressed in terms of inventions and technology, it has failed to progress in terms of human empathy and understanding. The song also touches on various political and social issues that continue to plague the world today such as wars, border disputes, and economic inequality. The song represents a call for unity and empathy, urging humanity to move beyond its differences and work towards a peaceful and sustainable world.
Line by Line Meaning
We received your signal
A message was received.
1936
It's unclear when the signal was sent.
Buried in the ether
The signal was hard to detect.
Hard to get a fix
It was difficult to determine the source of the signal.
Something in the message
The message contained something of interest.
Made us deviate
The message caused a change in course or direction.
Then incontrovertible
The message was undeniable.
Now it is too late
It's too late to change the outcome.
One man built an army
One person amassed a large group of people.
One man wants a wall
Another person desires a physical barrier.
In this they're united
Despite their differences, they share a common goal.
Neither cared at all
Both parties were indifferent to others' needs.
Craving mass destruction
A desire for widespread chaos or catastrophe.
Motivation: greed
The driving force behind their actions was greed.
Millions are starving
Many people are suffering from hunger.
Yet money is the creed
Money is the primary value system.
The only winning move
The best option available.
Is not to play at all
Abstaining from action is the best course of action.
You are terminal, Earth
Earth is in a dire situation.
Writer(s): John Mitchell
Contributed by Annabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.