"The song was written before Donald Trump was taken seriously as a candidate for United States president. The song deals with the mood in the band's native Australia, but his election brought more relevance to it. "'It's a song we released on the day we found out he got voted in," 'Pond keyboard player Jamie Terry told Songfacts. '"It has sort of an apocalyptic scenario which seemed ever more present in light of that news, so we thought that it was appropriate to put that out."' - Songfacts, Jamie Terry
30000 Megatons
Pond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And him and you and me and everyone we serve
I look out at the mirror, look out at the world
30,000 megatons is just what we deserve
I don't get out of bed no more
Beasts learned to talk a bit just to survive
But we're not even beasts, it's a wonder we're alive
We're baser than the base, deaf and dumb and blind
I'll not stand for Maybelline or Kyle or Jackie O
Or my sunburnt country burning people I don't know
I'll not stand alone or sing in one tune
To see a Virgin air hostess serve Bolly on the moon
And if I was the man on the Moon, I wouldn't let us near
I'd stand on a crater with my shotgun to the sky
And leave us to our mines and our Tinder 'til we die
And the Earth will sigh, and the Moon will wipe its brow
We need 30,000 megatons
Push the button now
We need 30,000 megatons
Push the button now
Out on the street it's only vitamins and hate
We'll soon be out of Xanax and then it'll be too late
We need 30,000 megatons, why wait?
Why wait?
We need 30,000 megatons
Push the button now
We need 30,000 megatons
Push the button now
The lyrics of "30000 Megatons" by Pond are filled with imagery that alludes to the destructive nature of humankind. The opening line "There's 30,000 megatons pointed at her" refers to the amount of nuclear weapons that exist in the world and how they are all aimed towards different targets. The following lines express the sense of collective guilt that the human race feels for creating such powerfully destructive weapons. The line "30,000 megatons is just what we deserve" implies that we have brought this upon ourselves and must bear the consequences.
The verses that follow describe the state of the world and the mirror that reflects our collective consciousness. The phrase "Beasts learned to talk a bit just to survive" suggests that humans are not much better than animals and that we have only learned to communicate in order to survive. Further, the lines "We're baser than the base, deaf and dumb and blind" expresses feelings of self-loathing and inadequacy.
The chorus of the song makes a bold statement: "We need 30,000 megatons, push the button now". The repetition of this line highlights the urgency of the situation and suggests that the singer believes that the only way to put an end to the destruction is to wipe it all out. In the final verses, the lyrics describe the desperation and hopelessness of the world and express a sense of resignation towards the inevitable end.
Line by Line Meaning
There's 30,000 megatons pointed at her
There is an overwhelming amount of danger present and aimed toward a specific person.
And him and you and me and everyone we serve
This danger is not limited to one person, but instead it is a danger that threatens and affects all of us.
I look out at the mirror, look out at the world
Through introspection and reflection on the state of the world, I recognize the gravity of the situation we are facing.
30,000 megatons is just what we deserve
Due to our actions, we have brought this danger upon ourselves and we must own up to that fact.
I don't get out of bed no more
The internal struggle to come to grips with the dire circumstances of the world has left one feeling helpless and unmotivated.
Beasts learned to talk a bit just to survive
Even animals have adapted to the circumstances and learned to communicate in order to ensure their own survival.
But we're not even beasts, it's a wonder we're alive
Despite being viewed as more intelligent and advanced than animals, we have not adapted to the dangers we've created in a way that matches their resilience, and it is surprising that we have survived this long.
I'll not stand for Maybelline or Kyle or Jackie O
I will not continue to care about superficial things when there is real danger looming.
Or my sunburnt country burning people I don't know
I refuse to remain complacent and ignore the destruction happening in my own country, even if it doesn't affect people I personally know.
I'll not stand alone or sing in one tune
I refuse to conform to society's norms and accept the dangerous status quo. I will not stand alone and will work with others to create change.
To see a Virgin air hostess serve Bolly on the moon
The idea of extravagance in space, while there is still so much work to be done to save and preserve the Earth, seems absurd and unacceptable.
And if I was the man on the Moon, I wouldn't let us near
If given the choice, the person speaking would prevent humanity from reaching the moon and causing further destruction.
I'd stand on a crater with my shotgun to the sky
The singer would use force to keep humans away from the moon and protect it from further destruction.
And leave us to our mines and our Tinder 'til we die
Humanity would be left to continue their destructive habits, leading to inevitable ruin and decay.
And the Earth will sigh, and the Moon will wipe its brow
The natural world will continue to bear the brunt of human destruction, while simultaneously feeling relief at the idea of the destruction ceasing.
Out on the street it's only vitamins and hate
The society and world we find ourselves in is superficial, vapid, and full of unhealthy toxicity.
We'll soon be out of Xanax and then it'll be too late
The current system of numbing ourselves to the reality of the situation is unsustainable and will soon become impossible, leading to a crisis situation.
We need 30,000 megatons, why wait?
The destruction of our current world and way of life is inevitable, so why wait for it to happen on its own? Why not take control of the situation and make it happen on our own terms?
Push the button now
It is time to take action and initiate the destruction that is coming our way.
We need 30,000 megatons
The amount of destruction necessary is incredibly large and overwhelming, yet it is what is needed to wipe the slate clean and start anew.
Push the button now
It is still up to us to take control of the situation and make the choice to start anew.
Writer(s): James William Terry, Nicholas Roland Allbrook, Joseph Michael Ryan, Jay Wesley Watson
Contributed by Arianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jose Trejo
There's 30,000 megatons pointed at her
And him and you and me and everyone we serve
I look out at the mirror, look out at the world
30,000 megatons is just what we deserve
I don't get out of bed no more
Beasts learned to talk a bit just to survive
But we're not even beasts, it's a wonder we're alive
We're baser than the base, deaf and dumb and blind
I'll not stand for Maybelline or Kyle or Jackie O
Or my sunburnt country burning people I don't know
I'll not stand alone or sing in one tune
To see a Virgin air hostess serve Bolly on the moon
And if I was the man on the Moon, I wouldn't let us near
I'd stand on a crater with my shotgun to the sky
And leave us to our mines and our Tinder 'til we die
And the Earth will sigh, and the Moon will wipe its brow
We need 30,000 megatons
Push the button now
We need 30,000 megatons
Push the button now
Out on the street it's only vitamins and hate
We'll soon be out of Xanax and then it'll be too late
We need 30,000 megatons, why wait?
Why wait?..
Great job pond! Great job!
Noodles
It's mind boggling how insane this planet is. There are billions of people, you and me among them, of different races, cultures, languages. There have been trillions before us, and here we are in this moment. We are so small and insignificant, yet form such massive structures, cities, societies...There is some good in the world; love, friendship, children, good food, family, art, literature, theatre, music. And there is some evil; pain, war, death, destruction, nuclear bombs, hate, corruption, genocides. It's all just so strange
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i think this ever single time i'm on acid. it's just nuts.
DrewG75
Exquisite album opener - one of the best of all time.
The Hearshot Kid
To my brothers and sisters all over the world: I love you. Hang in there. Together, we can turn this around.
Wiwiblee
Sure?
kingravana
Is this purge purgin' full steam ahead?
Levi Cupra
i love you
Julian Harvalis
COMMENCE THE PURGE
hobo_billy psychedelic
30,000 megatons is just what we deserve
James
Life changing album. It might not be for everyone, but it’s the greatest of my time.