Prologue To History
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics


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Were we the Kinnock factor
Am I talking private sector
Do I think I'm Shaun William Ryder
Or my former friend who's now undercover
He's gone and I'm no deserter
Perhaps I'm hard all the same

Today a poet who can't play guitar
Tomorrow Steve Ovett has injured his calf
Next year the world's greatest politician
Yesterday the boy who once had a mission

I don't want to be
A prologue to history
A prologue to history

So I water my plants with Evian
A brand new Dyson that is decadent
Read my papers and the business section
Check out the Tessas and the pensions
Call my friends and they're alright
So I pray for the safety of the night

Today a poet who can't play guitar
Tomorrow Steve Ovett has injured his calf
Next year the world's greatest politician
Yesterday the boy who once had a mission

I don't want to be
A prologue to history
A prologue to history

Remember ethnic cleansing in the highlands
No one says a thing in the middle of En-ger-land
I'm bruised fruit but still taste so nice
But if you look at me you better look twice
I'm talking rubbish to cover up the cracks
An empty vessel who can't make contact

Today a poet who can't play guitar
Tomorrow Phil Bennett's playing outside half
Next year the world's greatest politician
Yesterday the boy who once had a mission

I don't want to be
A prologue to history
A prologue to history




A prologue to history
A prologue

Overall Meaning

"Prologue to History" by Manic Street Preachers is a song that reflects on the uncertainty and pressures of modern life. The song starts with the singer questioning his own identity and purpose. He wonders if he is part of the political movement that supported Neil Kinnock in the 1980s as they aimed to reform the Labour Party. He then ponders if he is now part of the private sector, or if he fancies himself as Shaun William Ryder, the lead singer of the Happy Mondays, or his former friend who is now working undercover. It is not clear whether the singer is a politician, a musician, or someone else entirely.


The singer then goes on to discuss his daily routine, which includes watering his plants with Evian, owning a decadent Dyson vacuum cleaner, reading the business section of the newspaper, and checking out the Tessas and pensions. He reaches out to his friends and hopes for a safe night. The lyrics are surreal and satirical, hinting at the emptiness of modern life and the desperate need for connection and meaning.


The chorus emphasizes the singer's desire to avoid becoming a "prologue to history." He does not want to be forgotten or remembered only as a footnote in the grand scheme of things. Instead, he wants to make a mark on the world and have a purpose.


Line by Line Meaning

Were we the Kinnock factor
Did we contribute to Kinnock's defeat?


Am I talking private sector
Am I spouting corporate rhetoric?


Do I think I'm Shaun William Ryder
Am I delusional about my own rock star status?


Or my former friend who's now undercover
Or am I like my friend who betrayed us?


He's gone and I'm no deserter
He's gone, but I won't abandon my principles.


Perhaps I'm hard all the same
Maybe I'm still determined despite setbacks.


Today a poet who can't play guitar
Today I'm a writer who's not a musician.


Tomorrow Steve Ovett has injured his calf
Tomorrow someone's fame may be fleeting.


Next year the world's greatest politician
Next year someone else may be in the spotlight.


Yesterday the boy who once had a mission
Yesterday I had a purpose, but what about today?


I don't want to be
I don't want to become


A prologue to history
Just an introduction to what's to come.


So I water my plants with Evian
I indulge while the world suffers.


A brand new Dyson that is decadent
I buy things I don't truly need.


Read my papers and the business section
I stay informed, but do I really care?


Check out the Tessas and the pensions
I think about the future, but not enough.


Call my friends and they're alright
I connect with others, but is it enough?


So I pray for the safety of the night
I hope for peace in a troubled world.


Remember ethnic cleansing in the highlands
Don't forget the atrocities committed.


No one says a thing in the middle of En-ger-land
People are silent when they should speak up.


I'm bruised fruit but still taste so nice
I'm damaged, but I can still be enjoyable.


But if you look at me you better look twice
Don't be fooled by appearances.


I'm talking rubbish to cover up the cracks
I'm using words to conceal my flaws.


An empty vessel who can't make contact
I'm disconnected and lost.


A prologue to history
Just an introduction to what's to come.


A prologue to history
Just an introduction to what's to come.


A prologue to history
Just an introduction to what's to come.


A prologue
An opening, but not the whole story.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRADFIELD, JONES, MOORE, James Bradfield, Nicholas Jones, Sean Moore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

James Stewart

"He's gone but I'm no deserter" - What a statement in a lyric.

gneinful

This should have been on the "This is my truth, tell me yours" album. It would have given that album more balance. It's a great track in it's own right.

underneonloneliness2

Yeah the album needed more rockier songs on it. Songs like born a girl are just cringey to sing to.

CultureOfCritique

The Manics were at the peak of their powers here. That period from around 1990 to 1995 they produced some of the best music ever to come out of Britain, especially The Holy Bible, which can only be described as a work of genius.

Francesco C

Absolutely. There wasn't anyone else in the charts like them, and there sure isn't now.

Shaun Edwards

I think you are following the bandwagon

STOVE RYAN and the Mechanical Wildlife

the Manics are truly keeping me alive at the moment

martin russell

STOVE RYAN no other band has the same effect on me as the Manics, untouchable, Stay Beautiful!

STOVE RYAN and the Mechanical Wildlife

+martin russell they are gold against the soul one of the very few still making meaningful music

Chris Short

This and Montana Autumn 78 probably the best ever Manics tracks, definitely the best B sides you'll ever hear from any band ✌🏻

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