"I was always fasc… Read Full Bio ↴Mike Oldfield described his song, Nuclear, like this:
"I was always fascinated by my grandfather on my mother's side because I believe that his suffering in World War 1 was a lot to do with her problems, her psychological problems, when, you know, when she gave birth to me. Nuclear was like a powerful way of expressing the desolation and devastation in that area. And of course it could also apply to be applicable to people now, there are great many unhappy people in the world, you know, those who've given up on life. We read about them all the time. It's like I make songs about, you know "lalala baby this" (but this song is) powerful stuff, you know? Sit up and listen stuff."
The song was featured in the E3 2014 trailer for the stealth action video game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Nuclear
Mike Oldfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the prophets once said
And the ashes are all cold now
No more bullets and the embers are dead
Whispers in the air tell the tales
Of the brothers gone
Desolation, devastation
What a mess we made, when it all went wrong
Watching from the edge of the circus
For the games to begin
Gladiators draw their swords
Form their ranks for Armageddon
I'm nuclear
I'm wild
I'm breaking up inside
A heart of broken glass
Defiled
Deep inside
The abandoned child
Standing on the edge of the underworld
Looking at the abyss
And I'm hoping for some miracle
To breakout, to escape from all this
Whispers in the air tell the tales
Of a life that's gone
Desolation, devastation
What a mess we made, when it all went wrong
I'm nuclear
I'm wild
I'm breaking up inside
A heart of broken glass
Defiled
Deep inside
The abandoned child
I'm nuclear
I'm wild
I'm breaking up inside
A heart of broken glass
Defiled
Deep inside
The abandoned child
In Mike Oldfield's song "Nuclear", the lyrics describe a world after a catastrophic event, possibly a nuclear war. The singer stands on the edge of a crater, reflecting on the destruction and devastation that has occurred. The "ashes are all cold now" and "no more bullets and the embers are dead." The "whispers in the air tell tales of the brothers gone" and "what a mess we made when it all went wrong." The imagery is apocalyptic in nature, painting a picture of utter desolation and despair.
The singer then turns their attention to the "circus" and "gladiators" preparing for "Armageddon." Here, the tone shifts to a sense of chaos and impending doom. The singer claims to be "nuclear" and "wild," "breaking up inside." They describe themselves as a "heart of broken glass defiled" and an "abandoned child" deep inside. The singer's personal feelings of isolation and despair mirror the larger destruction they see around them.
Overall, the lyrics of "Nuclear" paint a picture of a world in ruins after some catastrophic event, with a sense of despair and hopelessness permeating throughout. The imagery is vivid and haunting, and the emotions of the singer feel genuine and raw.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on the edge of the crater
Standing at the brink of destruction
Like the prophets once said
As predicted by the wise long ago
And the ashes are all cold now
The aftermath has settled and gone cold
No more bullets and the embers are dead
The crisis has ended and there's nothing left
Whispers in the air tell the tales
The stories linger in the aftermath
Of the brothers gone
Of those lost in the disaster
Desolation, devastation
Complete destruction, suffering
What a mess we made, when it all went wrong
We caused this destruction, we're to blame
Watching from the edge of the circus
Observing the chaos from the outside
For the games to begin
For the final battle to start
Gladiators draw their swords
The fighters prepare for battle
Form their ranks for Armageddon
They assemble for the ultimate conflict
I'm nuclear
I'm dangerous, volatile
I'm wild
I'm uncontrollable, chaotic
I'm breaking up inside
I'm falling apart, losing control
A heart of broken glass
A fragile and shattered soul
Defiled
Dirty, corrupted
Deep inside
At the core of my being
The abandoned child
The part of me that's lost and alone
Standing on the edge of the underworld
Hovering on the precipice of darkness
Looking at the abyss
Staring into the void
And I'm hoping for some miracle
Praying for a miracle to save me
To breakout, to escape from all this
To break free from this nightmare
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL GORDON OLDFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind