Coup de Grace
Motг¶rhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The coup de grace
Makes you dead
Kills your ass
Gives you nightmares
Bad dreams
Panic in the dark
Don't you go there stay right here
Open up your mind
Life is so unkind
Shine a light on me
Tell me what the hell
I was sleeping like a baby
Trying to make me well
If you will not play the game
You will be cast out
No disgrace
Smiley face
Work it out
Make it quick
Run like hell
They will catch
You as well
Give you time
Years and years
Bars on all the doors
Don't you do it
Stick around
Random to the core
Don't believe a word
Don't run with the herd
I don't like the news
Watch it every week
Just because
I don't believe it
Don't make me a freak
If you knew the real stories
Can't be fooled no more
You can kiss
Or you can tell
Parasite or whore
Make your way
Seize the time
Your life is as fucked as mine
No one's going anywhere
Without a buck or two
Wait a second
Stay right there
I'll be back for you
Don't believe the lies
Truth will make you wise
Stay here in the room
Show me all your tricks
I know all the things you need
I will get you fixed
If you tell me dirty stories
I'll be on your side
Then we know just where to stand
Nationwide
The lyrics to Motörhead's song "Coup de Grace" are a reflection on the impact that violence can have on an individual, both physically and psychologically. The refrain of "Make it quick, the coup de grace, makes you dead, kills your ass" refers to the final, fatal blow dealt in an act of violence. The song suggests that such an event provides not only a physical ending but also lays bare an individual's internal struggles, as nightmares and panic attacks can result. The lyrics then move on to explore the idea that life is inherently unkind, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to stay one step ahead of the others. The song provides a warning to be wary of those who try to control you or manipulate your beliefs, concluding with the line "Truth will make you wise," encouraging listeners to seek out the truth for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Make it quick
Do it quickly, without delay
The coup de grace
The single blow or shot that mercifully ends the suffering of a wounded person or animal
Makes you dead
It will put you to death
Kills your ass
It will kill you / end your life
Gives you nightmares
It will torment you in your sleep
Bad dreams
You will have terrible, frightening dreams
Panic in the dark
You will be overwhelmed with fear and anxiety
Don't you go there stay right here
Don't venture into danger, stay here where it's safe
Dinner with the sharks
A dangerous or risky situation where you are surrounded by predators or enemies
Open up your mind
Be receptive to new ideas and perspectives
Life is so unkind
Life isn't always fair or just
Shine a light on me
Give me clarity or insight
Tell me what the hell
Explain to me what is going on
I was sleeping like a baby
I was completely unaware or ignorant of the situation
Trying to make me well
Trying to help me or make things better
If you will not play the game
If you don't follow the rules or expectations
You will be cast out
You will be rejected or excluded
No disgrace
No shame or regret
Smiley face
Appearing friendly, happy, or positive
Work it out
Find a solution to the problem
Run like hell
Escape quickly, as fast as you can
They will catch
They will apprehend or capture you
You as well
In addition to others, including yourself
Give you time
Put you in jail or prison for a long period of time
Years and years
Many, many years
Bars on all the doors
Being locked up in a prison or jail cell
Don't you do it
Do not commit the crime, don't do anything foolish
Stick around
Stay here or wait for a little while
Random to the core
Unpredictable, chaotic, or uncontrollable
Don't believe a word
Do not trust anything that is said
Don't run with the herd
Do not follow the crowd, think for yourself
I don't like the news
I dislike or mistrust the news media
Watch it every week
Still keep up with the news despite not liking it
Just because
Simply for the reason that / without a more detailed explanation
I don't believe it
I'm skeptical of the news and do not trust it
Don't make me a freak
Don't label me as an abnormal or strange person for not trusting the news
If you knew the real stories
If you truly knew the details of events
Can't be fooled no more
Refuse to be tricked or deceived any longer
You can kiss
You can flatter or please someone
Or you can tell
Or, you can speak the truth
Parasite or whore
Someone who is draining, manipulative, or immoral
Make your way
Find your own path or direction
Seize the time
Take advantage of the moment while you can
Your life is as fucked as mine
Your life is just as difficult, challenging, or unpleasant as mine
No one's going anywhere
No one is making any progress or moving forward
Without a buck or two
Without some amount of money or resources
Wait a second
Pause or delay for a brief moment
Stay right there
Remain in that same place
I'll be back for you
I'll return to help or assist you in some way
Truth will make you wise
Knowledge and openness to truth will make you wiser
Stay here in the room
Remain inside, stay in a safe place
Show me all your tricks
Reveal all of your secrets or hidden talents
I know all the things you need
I am aware of what you require or desire
I will get you fixed
I will help you, solve your problem, or make you feel better
If you tell me dirty stories
If you confess shameful or embarrassing secrets
I'll be on your side
I'll support you and stand with you, despite any wrongdoing or secrets
Then we know just where to stand
By being honest with each other and staying loyal, we will know where we each stand
Nationwide
Everywhere, across the entire country
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ian Fraser Kilmister, Micael Kiriakos Delaoglou, Philip Anthony Campbell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind