NANA
Nuke Lyrics


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XTC
English Settlement
F L Y O N T H E W A L L
II am the fly on the wall my prying eyes are looking through
II your bottom drawer I just came flying through your door
II you didn't notice that your number had been called. I see
II the mother who's beating the babe, I see the money, the
II pennies you save, stored on computers from birth to the
grave the fly on the wall he's seeing it all. I am the
fly upon the wall you're in the index of the files that stand
so tall although your health is rather poor we have a
place for those who cannot find a cure. I know your income
your daily crust I know your pleasures, your passion, your lust
I know when you're living and I know when you're dust the
fly on the wall he's seeing it all. one is born and one will
die, it's all understood the bit that's in the middle doesn't count
I am the fly on the wall my prying eyes are looking through
your bottom drawer I just came flying through your door
you didn't notice that your number had been called. I see
the mother who's beating the babe, I see the money, the
pennies you save, stored on computers from birth to the
grave the fly on the wall he's seeing it all. I am the fly
upon the wall you're in the index of the files that stand
so tall although your health is rather poor we have a
place for those who cannot find a cure. I know your income
your daily crust I know your pleasures, your passion, your lust
I know when you're living and I know when you're dust the
fly on the wall he's seeing it all.

colin-lead and backing vocals, fretless bass andy-miniKorg




dave-electric and fuzz-boxed 12 string guitar terry-drums
composed by c. moulding

Overall Meaning

In Nuke's song "Nana," the lyrics of "XTC" are quoted from the song "Fly on the Wall" by the English rock band, XTC, from their album "English Settlement." The song speaks from the perspective of a fly on the wall, watching everything that goes on in a person's life, from their pains and pleasures to their secret desires and struggles. The song suggests that everything is being monitored, from birth to death, and that nothing is truly private or safe from the watchful eye of the fly on the wall.


The song's lyrics also touch on the idea that people become just another number, as files cataloging their life are stored away on computers. The fly on the wall has access to all this information and can see the person's stats, from their daily income to their health status. The song seems to suggest that while we may feel like we have our own private lives, someone or something is always watching and recording our every move.


Overall, "Fly on the Wall" is a thought-provoking track that raises questions about privacy and surveillance in our modern world, exploring the idea that we are always being monitored, whether we like it or not.


Line by Line Meaning

I am the fly on the wall my prying eyes are looking through
The singer is telling us that they are like a fly on the wall, watching and observing everything. Their curious eyes are always peering into other people's lives.


II your bottom drawer I just came flying through your door
The singer has entered someone's home and is rifling through their things, particularly their bottom drawer. They did this undetected, like a fly on the wall.


II you didn't notice that your number had been called. I see
The person whose home the singer has entered did not realize their privacy had been breached. The singer, as an observer, sees all.


II the mother who's beating the babe, I see the money, the pennies you save, stored on computers from birth to the grave the fly on the wall he's seeing it all.
The artist sees everything, including things that are disturbing or private. They witness a mother hurting her child and see financial details being kept digitally from the day of one's birth until their death.


I am the fly upon the wall you're in the index of the files that stand so tall
The artist is still a fly on the wall and now says that the person they are observing is indexed in tall, detailed files.


although your health is rather poor we have a place for those who cannot find a cure.
The singer knows that the person's health is not good and lets them know that there is a place for those who cannot find a cure.


I know your income your daily crust I know your pleasures, your passion, your lust
The singer knows everything about the person they are observing: their income, basic needs, pleasures, desires.


I know when you're living and I know when you're dust the fly on the wall he's seeing it all.
The artist knows everything about this person from birth until death. They observe everything and will continue to do so as long as they exist as a fly on the wall.


one is born and one will die, it's all understood the bit that's in the middle doesn't count
The artist explains the cycle of life and death, and how it is something that is inevitable and understood. They tell us that the time in between birth and death doesn't matter much.




Contributed by Ian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@RainRemnant

Idk why this suddenly popped in my head today after 500 years but here we are... OH NANA

@dorozor

Summer of magic ❤️

@urbanwarrior3470

can seriously imagine this vocal as a breakdown on a 1994 Happy Hardcore tune (with a lot of pianos)

@turborave6819

Banger

@Dawwwg

That could have been LA Style - Im Raving too ...

@erikberger580

@Dawwwg Online except I remember both aired during the same period, which was kind of confusing :D

@erikberger580

Btw, by that time, I thought this track was fast, now it feels really slow :D

@Dawwwg

@Erik Berger Yes, they did; I remember having both of them on the same CD: 'Veronica's Jong...Snel...Wild #2 (1992)'

@danielemarrone8362

Estate 1992 sullo stereo portatile avevo la cassetta Kastigo e Proibita compilation della discomagic. Ancora le ho a casa funzionanti..E c'era come inizio questa canzone. Che spettacolo ragazzi.

@Renzo_777

Amico mio questa e roba davvero per pochi intenditori ricordi indelebili la musica e gli anni più belli

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