The Tommyknockers
Nightmares Lyrics

The lyrics to Nightmares' song "The Tommyknockers" express a deep sense of introspection and an awareness of the world's shortcomings. The repeated phrase "heart of gold" serves as a juxtaposition to the dark, apocalyptic themes present in the rest of the lyrics. The first stanza questions whether humanity's hunger for power and material possessions will ultimately lead to our downfall, with the phrase "will the oil that we crave sink into our veins and replace all forms of grace?" suggesting a reckoning with the environmental and ethical consequences of our actions. The metaphor of being "masochistic forms of disaster" further emphasizes this idea, portraying humanity as both the destroyer and the victim.

The second stanza shifts to a more personal reflection, with the singer asking if their spirit will weather the storms of life and if their soul will find peace after death. The image of the sun beating the singer "down further than six feet in the ground" highlights the weight of the struggles they face, while the contrast of the "sky has dried" and "words of men ceased" implies a bleak future where communication and connection have vanished. Despite these grim musings, the chorus repeats the phrase "heart of gold" with an almost hymnal quality, suggesting a yearning for redemption and hope amidst the chaos.

Overall, "The Tommyknockers" speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with mortality, purpose, and morality amidst a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming.