Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazareth_(band)
Studio albums
Nazareth (1971)
Exercises (1972)
Razamanaz (1973)
Loud 'n' Proud (1973)
Rampant (1974)
Hair of the Dog (1975)
Close Enough for Rock 'n' Roll (1976)
Play 'n' the Game (1976)
Expect No Mercy (1977)
No Mean City (1979)
Malice in Wonderland (1980)
The Fool Circle (1981)
2XS (1982)
Sound Elixir (1983)
The Catch (1984)
Cinema (1986)
Snakes 'n' Ladders (1989)
No Jive (1991)
Move Me (1994)
Boogaloo (1998)
The Newz (2008)
Big Dogz (2011)
Rock 'n' Roll Telephone (2014)
Tattooed on My Brain (2018)
Surviving the Law (2022)
Dressed To Kill
Nazareth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And our cars are glistenin'
The bear he roars in the east
But we ain't listenin'
We won't play games in his backyard
But we let him build his wall
We say our god is on our side
Hope he's listenin' to us all
While we talk
He's gettin' dressed, he's lookin' for his thrills
He's gettin' dressed to kill
We got eyes in the stars
But we don't care what they see
We put a man on the moon
We all see it on t.v.
We all protest about his bombs
He hopes we keep it going
And while we rest he's marchin' on
His fuse has started glowin'
While we talk
He's gettin' dressed, he's lookin' for his thrills
He's gettin' dressed to kill
What have you got to hide at home
His arms are stained but never empty
The things that you think you own
Are only for the few
Don't you think it's time, don't you think it's time
We got ready, we got ready
We got right on our side
So our leaders say today
Count the size of the threat
We can slide a different way
Our planes are flyin' in your sky
We know just what they're sayin'
You see the writing on the wall
Your nerves are tearin',frayin'
While we talk
He's gettin' dressed
He's lookin' for his thrills
He's gettin' dressed to kill
He's gettin' dressed
He's lookin' for his thrills
He's gettin' dressed to kill.
The song "Dressed to Kill" by Nazareth is a political commentary on the Cold War era between the United States and Russia. The lyrics speak of how both countries were essentially in God's good graces, and both had their own view of the world. The US saw itself as being in the right, and would not allow the threats of the Soviet Union to come too close to its borders, while the Soviet Union was building up its military, preparing for war. The song speaks of how we as a people are ignoring the activity of the bear (Russia), building its wall while we are looking the other way. The song speaks of how the bear is getting dressed, looking for its thrills, and getting dressed to kill. While we are talking, the bear is building up its arsenal, and we are in danger.
The song also touches on the idea of space travel and the US's strong belief that it was more advanced than Russia. We put a man on the moon, and while we as a people felt superior, the Russians were building bombs. The song speaks of how the US government says that we are in the right, and the size of the threat is the key to sliding a different way. The planes are flying in the sky, and although the US knew what they were saying, the Soviet Union was building up its military with the strength to fight a war.
The song is a powerful message about the tension that existed during the Cold War. It's a warning that while we are talking and watching TV, and feeling superior, the bear is getting dressed to kill. The message still rings true today, as nations continue to arm themselves and play the game of war.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are in the west
We are in the Western world.
And our cars are glistenin'
Our cars are sparkling and reflecting light.
The bear he roars in the east
Russia is making noise in the Eastern part of the world.
But we ain't listenin'
We are not paying attention.
We won't play games in his backyard
We will not engage in a conflict on Russian soil.
But we let him build his wall
We are allowing Russia to create a physical barrier between them and other countries.
We say our god is on our side
We believe that our deity is supporting us.
Hope he's listenin' to us all
We hope our prayers and pleas are being heard.
While we talk
While we are discussing and debating the situation,
He's gettin' dressed, he's lookin' for his thrills
Russia is preparing for war and seeking excitement.
He's gettin' dressed to kill
Russia is getting ready for military action.
We got eyes in the stars
We have satellites and space technology.
But we don't care what they see
We are not concerned about the information gathered by our space technology.
We put a man on the moon
We have achieved great feats in space travel.
We all see it on t.v.
We watch these accomplishments and news reports from the comfort of our own homes.
We all protest about his bombs
We are vocal about our opposition to Russia's weapons.
He hopes we keep it going
Russia wants us to continue protesting rather than taking action.
And while we rest he's marchin' on
While we relax, Russia continues to advance their military plans.
His fuse has started glowin'
The situation has become explosive and dangerous.
What have you got to hide at home
What secrets are we keeping hidden within our own borders?
His arms are stained but never empty
Russia has been involved in conflicts and has caused harm to others, but they are always armed and ready for more.
The things that you think you own
Our possessions and belongings may not be as secure as we believe.
Are only for the few
Our wealth and resources are controlled by a small group of people.
Don't you think it's time, don't you think it's time
Isn't it about time we take action?
We got ready, we got ready
We need to be prepared for whatever comes our way.
We got right on our side
We believe that we are morally justified in our actions.
So our leaders say today
This is what our politicians are telling us.
Count the size of the threat
Determine the level of danger/security risk.
We can slide a different way
There are alternate paths we can take to avoid conflict.
Our planes are flyin' in your sky
Our military aircraft are in foreign airspace.
We know just what they're sayin'
We have advanced surveillance technology that allows us to intercept communications.
You see the writing on the wall
You can see that trouble is coming.
Your nerves are tearin',frayin'
You are becoming anxious and stressed.
While we talk
Meanwhile, as we continue to talk and debate,
He's gettin' dressed
Russia is gearing up,
He's lookin' for his thrills
excited about conflict,
He's gettin' dressed to kill
and ready to go to war.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAN MCCAFFERTY, PETER AGNEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
STEVE R
The Bear in this Song is the Soviet Union.
I Remember when this song came out in 1980 during the Cold War.
Now it's relevant again today about Putin instead of the USSR.
My Unit in The 28th Infantry Division's job was to hold the Soviets at the Fulda Gap in West Germany if the Soviets attacked.
We were to hold until reinforcements arrived.
Basically we were going to get slaughtered and take as many Soviets to hell with us, before the Rest of NATO Mobilized.
Our best friends were our Warthog A10s. Their main job was to destroy Soviet Tanks. Before they overran our positions.
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. People wondered why did we need NATO?
Most of NATO especially Germany is now just a paper tiger.
Back then Ukraine was part
of the Soviet Union.
Now they are on their own getting crushed by Putin.
We told Ukraine to get rid of their Nukes and small arms. To de-escalate the region.
As we would protect them.
That hasn't worked out very well.
They sure could use those wonderful Warthogs now.
Lidiya Fors
Увау! Я плясала как бабочка, и думала всегда так будет! Это было 1982 год, да будет, так в новой жизни. Это было великолепно. Збазибо планета, може со мной плясали инопланетяне, когда проснулась мне 50 лет. О..... Балденно!!!
Lidiya Fors
@Валерий Добрынин есть, что вспомнить!
Валерий Добрынин
Я услышал альбом где-то в 86 году, и он запал в душу сразу. Были у меня и пласты... эх молодость.
otto Kwitschal
Nazareth a melhor banda de Rock que conheci sou fã incondicional destes que ainda fazem história ,tributos a Nazareth
Resi Wiesnegger
YES.. 😊
Gilles Fournier
One of my favorite Nazareth albums.
JJ
@I don't really careDevo actually have the best version
I don't really care
@Alexander Hampp morning dew is boring no matter who does it
JJ
@Alexander Hampp Fair enough. I think this is a slightly better album than MIW. That might put me in the minority
Alexander Hampp
@JJ It’s not too bad, but it doesn’t suit the tone of the album. Would have been better on the previous album, Malice in Wonderland.
With „Crazy“ and „Morning Dew“ on it, Fool Circle would have been a more rounded concept and for me a far better album.