A second album 'Feel Free' was released in 1996.
Mike has played with many bands over the years including 'Coloursound' and 'Dead Men Walking' but he could never find his place. In 2000 he reformed 'The Alarm' with the 'Sisters of Mercy' and 'The Mission's Craig Adams; 'Gene loves Jezebel's James Stevenson and 'The Stiff Little Fingers' Steve Grantley. They have released 2 albums, 'In the Poppyfields' and 'Under Attack'. Unfortunately, in October last year, Mike was re-diagnosed with cancer, but announced in July 2006 the double good news that he is now in complete remission and that he and his wife, Jules, are expecting their second baby due to arrive in January 2007l
Ground Zero
Mike Peters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are those tears on the ruins
From staring at defeat
I was looking for a way out
All I found was a way back in I've gone to ground zero
Ground zero
With the losers, creeps and the assholes
Gone to ground zero
With my asphyxiated ego I, I killed the golden cow
I was resuscitated for my sins
My crime was captured
On C.
C.
T.
V.
I got back out the same way
That I got back in I've gone to ground zero
Ground zero
With the losers, creeps and the assholes
Gone to ground zero
Ground zero
With my asphyxiated ego
Gone to ground zero
Ground zero
Where the sound system plays death disco You say your mantras for the west
And I say mine to save myself
I set about the systematic destruction
Of the world I built up
I set about the sytematic destruction
The deconstruction
From new emotion, a new reaction
A new location, a new vocation
From new destruction comes new creation, new creation I've gone to ground zero
Ground zero
With the losers, creeps and the assholes
Gone to ground zero
Ground zero
With my asphyxiated ego
Gone to ground zero
Ground zero
With the losers, creeps and the assholes
Gone to ground zero
Ground zero
Where the sound system plays death disco (death disco)
The lyrics of Mike Peters's Ground Zero expresses the powerful emotions of a person who has hit rock bottom in life. The song starts with the powerful phrase "kill, kill the lights, 'cause I can't bear to see you cry". Here, the singer is asking to turn off the lights as he doesn't want to see anyone crying. He then mentions how he has gone to ground zero, which refers to the site of a nuclear explosion. In this case, it represents the low point of the singer's life. He is surrounded by losers, creeps, and assholes.
The song talks about the singer's fall from grace, from being successful to going back to ground zero. The lines "I killed the golden cow, I was resuscitated for my sins" indicate that the singer made mistakes that led to his downfall. The CCTV captures his crimes, and he finds his way out the same way he got in. The lines "where the sound system plays death disco" suggest that he has given up hope and has no reason to live.
Overall, the song captures the feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and shame that can come with hitting rock bottom. The person has no choice but to start over and rebuild their life from the ashes.
Line by Line Meaning
Kill, kill the lights'Cause I can't bare to see you cry
Turning off the lights to avoid watching someone cry is futile when surrounded by the destruction of defeat.
Are those tears on the ruins
The ruins display the remnants of countless failed attempts to prevent their destruction.
From staring at defeat
The magnitude of the loss is amplified by a prolonged state of contemplation.
I was looking for a way out
All I found was a way back in
Escaping from problems is difficult when it is much easier to go back to what's comfortable, even if it's the source of the problem.
I've gone to ground zero
Ground zero
With the losers, creeps and the assholes
The only option left was to wallow in the aftermath of failure, surrounded by others who suffered the same fate.
Gone to ground zero
Ground zero
With my asphyxiated ego
The impact of personal failure affects self-esteem and emotional well-being.
I, I killed the golden cow
I was resuscitated for my sins
The destruction of prior success allowed for a second chance, but with the burden of guilt.
My crime was captured
On C.
C.
T.
V.
The evidence of mistakes and failures are constantly broadcasted, forever marking one's reputation.
I got back out the same way
That I got back in
Repeating the same behavior that led to failure only results in failure once again.
Where the sound system plays death disco
In the aftermath of destruction, the only sound heard is the music of death and despair.
You say your mantras for the west
And I say mine to save myself
Both Western and personal ideals hold differing values and goals, but both aim to bring hope in times of despair.
I set about the systematic destruction
Of the world I built up
I set about the sytematic destruction
The deconstruction
Breaking down one's previous world to rebuild anew requires systematic destruction in order to rebuild better.
From new emotion, a new reaction
A new location, a new vocation
From new destruction comes new creation, new creation
From the destruction of self comes the opportunity for personal growth, leading to new opportunities and creations.
Where the sound system plays death disco (death disco)
The only remnants of the past are the sounds of death and despair, echoing towards new horizons.
Contributed by Aaliyah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.