Cold World
Paul Dianno Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Indifference to reason, we watch them die
Cut down, starved to death, it's only life
Face down in the street, close your eyes
We don't want to watch millions die
Cold world
Who will speak against these crimes
Anyhow, whose got the fucking time
Cold world
Stand witness, world evil, how cheap is life
Indifference to reason, we watch them die
Stand witness, world evil, how cheap a life
Indifference to reason, we watch them die
The lyrics to Paul Dianno's "Cold World" express a sense of despair at the state of the world and its indifference to the suffering of others. The opening lines, "Stand witness, world evil, how cheap is life / Indifference to reason, we watch them die," speak to the way that people are often willing to stand by and do nothing while others suffer. This sense of helplessness and frustration is also reflected in the repeated refrain, "Cold world," which reinforces the idea that the world is a harsh, uncaring place.
The middle section of the song shifts focus slightly, turning to the question of who is responsible for speaking out against these injustices. The lines "Who will speak against these crimes / Most say I'm alright, I've got what's mine / Anyhow, who's got the fucking time" suggest that people are too selfish or preoccupied with their own problems to care about the suffering of others. The repetition of the phrase "Cold world" in this section serves to drive home the idea that the world is a cruel, uncaring place where people are unwilling to help each other.
Overall, the lyrics to "Cold World" paint a bleak picture of human nature and the state of the world. They express a sense of frustration and despair at the way that people often turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, and they suggest that the world is a dark, uncaring place.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand witness, world evil, how cheap is life
The singer is calling out to the world to witness the evil that exists and to acknowledge how little value is placed on human life.
Indifference to reason, we watch them die
Despite having the capability to take action and prevent death, society remains apathetic and detached from the issue.
Cut down, starved to death, it's only life
The singer is acknowledging that millions of people are dying due to starvation and malnutrition and that society views it as an acceptable part of life.
Face down in the street, close your eyes
The artist is describing the inhumane conditions in which people are dying and how their bodies are left uncared for by the rest of society.
We don't want to watch millions die
Despite the general indifference towards the issue, the artist believes that there are still people who care and want to prevent mass death.
Cold world
The line represents a general sense of hopelessness and despair that is felt when witnessing the senseless tragedies that occur around the world.
Who will speak against these crimes
The singer is questioning who will take a stand against the injustices and crimes that are being committed against innocent people.
Most say I'm alright, I've got what's mine
The artist is pointing out how many people prioritize their own personal gain and success over the well-being of others who are suffering.
Anyhow, whose got the fucking time
The artist is highlighting the sheer amount of suffering that exists in the world and how overwhelming it can be for individuals to make a difference on their own.
Cold world
The final line of the song again emphasizes the bleak and despairing nature of the world when faced with the magnitude of suffering that exists.
Contributed by Layla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.