Criminal World
Metro Lyrics


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You never told me of your other faces
You were the widow of a wild cat
And now I know about your special kisses
And I know you know where that's at
I guess I recognise your destination
I think I see beneath your make-up
What you want is sort of separation
This is no ordinary
This is no ordinary
(Ah, ah, ah)

What a criminal world
The boys are like baby-faced girls
What a criminal girl
She'll show you where to shoot your gun
What a typical mother's son
The only thing that she enjoys
Is a criminal world
Where the girls are like baby-faced boys

You've got a very heavy reputation
But no-one knows about your low-life
I know a way to find a situation
And hold a candle to your high-life disguise
You caught me kneeling at your sister's door
That was no ordinary stick-up
I'm well aware just what you're looking for
I am no ordinary
I am no ordinary
(Ah, ah, ah)

What a criminal world
The boys are like baby-faced girls
What a criminal girl
She'll show you where to shoot your gun
What a typical mother's son
The only thing that she enjoys




Is a criminal world
Where the girls are like baby-faced boys

Overall Meaning

In the song "Criminal World," Metro sings about a woman with a mysterious past and a reputation as a "wild cat." Throughout the lyrics, the singer learns about the woman's "other faces" and "special kisses" that reveal her true desires for separation and a life in the criminal world. Despite her attempts to maintain a high-life disguise, the singer sees through her facade and knows how to find her in the real world. The chorus describes the criminal world as a place where gender roles are blurred and both boys and girls have baby-faced features.


The song is a commentary on the criminal underworld and the ways in which it challenges traditional gender roles and societal norms. The woman mentioned in the lyrics is a complex character who embodies both femininity and a desire for power, and the singer is drawn to her dangerous, exciting lifestyle. The juxtaposition of innocence and criminality creates a sense of tension throughout the song, as the singer grapples with his own desires and the attraction of the criminal world.


Line by Line Meaning

You never told me of your other faces
You kept your true identity hidden from me


You were the widow of a wild cat
You were previously with a dangerous partner


And now I know about your special kisses
I am aware of your seductive ways


And I know you know where that's at
You know how to control and manipulate me


I guess I recognise your destination
I understand your end goals


I think I see beneath your make-up
I see through your facade


What you want is sort of separation
You desire a different kind of relationship


This is no ordinary
This situation is not average or typical


What a criminal world
The environment is corrupt and immoral


The boys are like baby-faced girls
The men lack toughness and are easily manipulated


What a criminal girl
The woman is deceitful and cunning


She'll show you where to shoot your gun
She will lead you astray and into danger


What a typical mother's son
A regular and unremarkable person


The only thing that she enjoys
Her sole pleasure comes from participating in a corrupt world


Is a criminal world
She is only satisfied in a dishonest world


Where the girls are like baby-faced boys
The women lack strength and power


You've got a very heavy reputation
You have a shady reputation


But no-one knows about your low-life
The worst parts of yourself remain hidden


I know a way to find a situation
I have discovered a potential way to expose you


And hold a candle to your high-life disguise
I can reveal the truth about your seemingly perfect life


You caught me kneeling at your sister's door
You caught me snooping around trying to uncover the truth


That was no ordinary stick-up
My intentions were not criminal, but to uncover your secrets


I'm well aware just what you're looking for
I know what you seek and desire


I am no ordinary
I am not typical or average




Contributed by Jordyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@lastrada52

The 2 artists David Bowie admitted being heavily influenced by were both the late Duncan Browne & Scott Walker (the Walker Brothers) especially the LPs "Nite Flights," "Lines," and the track "No Regrets."


Many of the effects and styles Bowie implemented throughout his albums were all done earlier by Browne & Walker. Look at the funky guitar sound Browne & Godwin from Metro used on "Overture from Flame / Flame" & then sliding into progressive rock and classical which is earlier than Bowie.


Browne's "She's Just a Fallen Angel," "Wild Places," "The Crash," "American Heartbeat," were incredible. The musicians on these albums were superb. Despite the ignorance of some critics who never played an instrument -- a pen and a typewriter are not musical instruments.


Later -- even Iggy Pop was an influence on Bowie's vocals. I happen to like Bowie & Iggy (during their period of collaboration) -- talented, creative and knew how to learn from others to shape their own performance benefit. That's not rip off, that's interpretation.



@ivantex6355

You never told me of your other faces
You were the widow of the wildcat
And Now I know about your special kisses
And I know you know where that's at

I'm not the queen so there's no need to bow
I think I see beneath your make-up
I'll take your dress and we can truck on out
This is no ordinary
This is no ordinary . . .

Oh what a criminal
World
The boys are like baby-faced
Girls
What a criminal world
She'll show you where to shoot your gun.
What a typical mother's
Son
The only thing that she
Enjoys
Is a criminal world
Where the girls are like baby-faced boys.

You've got a very heavy reputation
But no-one knows about your low-life
I know the way to find the situation
And hold a candle up to your high-life disguise
I saw you kneeling at my brother's door
That was no ordinary stick-up
I'm well aware just what you're looking for
I am no ordinary
I am no ordinary. . .

Oh what a criminal world
The boys are like baby-faced girls
What a criminal world
She'll show you where to shoot your gun.
What a typical mother's son
The only thing that she enjoys
Is a criminal world
Where the girls are like baby-faced boys.



All comments from YouTube:

@russellpotts3069

I love this original version and must say Bowies cover of Criminal World was my favourite track on the Lets Dance album.

@nessar00

I loved it in 1977, and I love it in 2020🤟🏼

@bountyspace

top Masterwork Enjoy

@nichi651

Love me too. I' m Nichi from Italy. Nice ti meet you. Where do you come from?

@jaxxWeb1960i

Never thought I'd hear this album again. Last time I heard it was 81

@Tabish29

David Bowie brought me here.

@geraldjohnson848

+ArseneWenger Yessir.

@lilMissF0F0

High five, me too

@philincanada

+ArseneWenger Arsene out or not? Interesting protests lately at the Emirates...

@Tabish29

+protegefive wenger made us what we are today but he doesn't have Carte Blanche. He should bow out gracefully with dignity and respect.

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