Over the next few years Andy and Martin frequented the growing club scene, including Studio 21 in Oxford Street, and became involved in the developing Futurist and New Romantic style sub-cultures. During this period Martin recorded as Analysis, both alone and with David Rome of Drinking Electricity. They released their first single, "Surface Tension/Connections" on David's Survival label in 1981. Meanwhile Andy held his own occasional club nights and continued to work as a science writer and editor, later becoming a nuclear expert.
In 1982 Andy and Martin began writing and recording together at Feedback Studio in Battersea, and performed several times as Oppenheimer Analysis at The Bell, Islington, the 1983 World David Bowie Convention in Hammersmith, the Starzone Birthday Party at Camden Palace, the 1984 European Science Fiction Convention in Brighton and other live venues. Their first demo tape and the later twelve-track “New Mexico” cassette were sold at gigs and by mail-order, and were reviewed in Melody Maker, Sounds and Soundmaker.
Andy subsequently recorded and performed with Chris Ransome as Oppenheimer Ransom, supporting Bronski Beat at the 1984 Miners’ Benefit at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, Erasure at The Bell, and other gigs such as the Shaw Theatre, London.
Although they have been musically inactive during the last twenty years, Andy and Martin have stayed in touch. They are now recording again following the recent revival of interest in early electronic minimalism and Cold Wave music.
A limited edition 12" release of their early hits can be on www.minimal-wave.org. This 12" includes the songs "The Devil's Dancers" and "Cold War" and was released in December 2005 as MW001.
The Devil's Dancers
Oppenheimer Analysis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said the pioneer
There's room at the top
Do-wop do-wop
Whatever comes tomorrow
Happened yesterday
Come with us
The future's here to stay
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
All the radon daughters
Wonder what they taught us
Making up our status
Doubts are only traitors
Whatever comes tomorrow
Happened yesterday
Come with us
Come with us
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
Dance with us until your head is spent
Work it out until the late event
Come with us
Dance with us
Come with us
Romance with us
The future's here
Said the pioneer
There's room at the top
Do-wop do-wop
Whatever comes tomorrow
Happened yesterday
Come with us
The future's here to stay
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
The lyrics of "The Devil's Dancers" is a representation of the modern society in which people are looking for answers and guidance to their problems. The song begins with the line "The future's here, said the pioneer, there's room at the top" which suggests that the society is advanced enough to have found its way to the future. However, the actual reality is that the people are still in search of answers to their problems, as suggested by the line "Whatever comes tomorrow, happened yesterday."
The song appeals to the people to come together and take part in a dance symbolizing the Devil's Dancers, who swing all the answers. The Devil's Dancers are metaphors for the seducing powers of society that offer solutions and temporary relief but, in the end, lead to destruction. The line "All the radon daughters wonder what they taught us" suggests that the younger generation is confused and unsure about the solutions they are offered. The song presents a warning about the societal ills masked as solutions and the dangers of blindly following such answers.
The repetition of "Come with us, dance with us" and "We're the Devil's Dancers, swinging all the answers" emphasizes the seducing nature of society that entices people with promises of solutions to their problems. The song's overall meaning is that there is no quick solution to the problems that society is facing, and people should be wary of the ideas that offer temporary relief.
Line by Line Meaning
The future's here
The present moment is an indication that something new or revolutionary is about to happen
Said the pioneer
Stated by someone who blazes a new path or leads the way forward
There's room at the top
Opportunities for advancement or success are available and attainable
Do-wop do-wop
A phrase typically associated with music and dancing, a call to action to join in the fun and excitement
Whatever comes tomorrow
Future events are unknown and unpredictable
Happened yesterday
The past can provide insight or influence the present and future
Come with us
Join our group and be part of something exciting and new
The future's here to stay
The changes we are experiencing are long-lasting and will shape the course of the future
Dance with us
Participate in our movement or way of life
We're the Devil's Dancers
We are a force to be reckoned with, challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries
Swinging all the answers
We have the solutions and ideas to shape the future in our image
All the radon daughters
All the offspring that have been exposed to a radioactive substance called radon
Wonder what they taught us
Curiosity about what we have learned or been taught by those before us
Making up our status
Creating our own identity or social standing, separate from traditional norms or expectations
Doubts are only traitors
Hesitation or uncertainty can hold us back from achieving our goals or dreams
Dance with us until your head is spent
Participate fully in our way of life until you can no longer think or worry about anything else
Work it out until the late event
Continue to exert effort and energy until the very end of the experience or endeavor
Romance with us
Engage in our lifestyle or way of thinking with passion and enthusiasm
Contributed by Kayla M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@perpetual61
The future's here
Said the pioneer
There's room at the top
Do-wop do-wop
Whatever comes tomorrow
Happened yesterday
Come with us
The future's here to stay
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
All the radon daughters
Wonder what they taught us
Making up our status
Doubts are only traitors
Whatever comes tomorrow
Happened yesterday
Come with us
Come with us
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
Dance with us until your head is spent
Work it out until the late event
Come with us
Dance with us
Come with us
Romance with us
The future's here
Said the pioneer
There's room at the top
Do-wop do-wop
Whatever comes tomorrow
Happened yesterday
Come with us
The future's here to stay
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
@mnmlstellar
#Lyrics The future's here
Said the pioneer
There's room at the top
Do-wop do-wop
Whatever comes tomorrow
Happened yesterday
Come with us
The future's here to stay
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
All the radon daughters
Wonder what they taught us
Making up our status
Doubts are only traitors
Whatever comes tomorrow
Happened yesterday
Come with us
Come with us
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
Dance with us until your head is spent
Work it out until the late event
Come with us
Dance with us
Come with us
Romance with us
The future's here
Said the pioneer
There's room at the top
Do-wop do-wop
Whatever comes tomorrow
Happened yesterday
Come with us
The future's here to stay
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
We're the Devil's Dancers
Swinging all the answers
Dance with us
Dance with us
@jcd123
people looking for an analysis of Chris Nolan's Oppenheimer be hella exposed to minimal wave now
@Bartholomeum
Thank God
@Aliisaas
They are saved
@elikapeka313
Imagine hearing this in the club for the first time in '82. Mind-blown.
@jasminlohni5476
Still mind blowing
@deckarddd
I do it all the times I hear it 😊
@6_feet_underground
BRUHHHH
@gerardomoncada5222
A year before the premiere of 'Return of the Jedi' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood 🎭
@Steril707
listened to a lot of similar wave music 30 years ago in clubs.
@FurretLord
I genuinely hope that Oppenheimer Analysis blows up because of Nolan’s Oppenheimer movie. This band and the album are disgustingly underrated!