I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight showed a clear development from Richard Thompson's first solo effort, Henry the Human Fly, with Linda's vocals adding grace, as well as the opportunity for Richard to write from a female perspective. Although Thompson's trademark gloom is already evident, the lightness and beauty of the arrangements counterbalances this to produce moments of great beauty. The use of brass, from the renowned CWS silver band in particular takes forward Thompson's continuing crusade to find a more contemporary and ordinary expression of Englishness in music, (as opposed to the forays into the Morris form of his Fairport contemporary Ashley Hutchings, solo, and with The Albion Band). The next year's release, Hokey Pokey, to some extent repeated the formula, although it wass improved in production values, and was stylistically more adventurous still.
Pour down Like Silver extended the reach of the Thompsons' music, and without the occasional weaker tracks of the preceding releases.
In 1975 they decided to leave the music business and move to a Sufi commune in East Anglia. Songwriting was by Richard throughout, lead vocals generally by Linda, and backing by a consistent core band of English folk-rock musicians. In 1978 Richard decided to take his family out of the commune and go back to their old home in Hampstead. He also decided to return to making music, partly because, as he commented at the time, he'd come to realise "that [he] wasn't really any good at anything else".
Re-uniting the core band, the resulting album, First Light, was warmly received by the critics but did not sell particularly well. Neither did its follow up, 1979's harder-edged and more cynical Sunnyvista. Chrysalis Records did not take up their option to renew the contract, and the Thompsons found themselves without a contract, but not without admirers.
About a year later Joe Boyd signed the Thompsons to his small Hannibal label and a new album was recorded. Shoot out the Lights included new recordings of many of the songs recorded in 1980. Linda Thompson was pregnant during the sessions, and so the album's release was held back until the Thompsons could tour in support of the new album. Linda's pregnancy also meant that she did not sing on all of the songs.
On its release in 1982, Shoot out the Lights was lauded by critics and sold fairly well - especially in the USA. The Thompsons, now a couple for professional purposes only, toured the USA to support the album and then went their separate ways. Both the album and their live shows were well received by the American media, and Shoot out the Lights effectively relaunched their careers - just as their marriage was falling apart.
Civilisation
Richard and Linda Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They eat food I wouldn't give to my dog
They're hygienic, medicated
They wouldn't live next door to no wog
They're not human, where do they come from?
I don't know what they're living here for
They don't belong here, on this planet
What are they doing in the house next door?
Wife's tranquilized, milk's pasteurized
Kid's hypnotized by the t.v.
Dad'll beat you, dog'll eat you
They'll treat you like family
All across the nation
It's civilisation
They're not human, they've got a new car
They're going to polish it all the day long
Got a brand new rubber woman
They're going to blow her up all the night long
They're not human, it's a double cross
They sold out for a handful of beads
They sold everything for nothing, just a
Headful of dreams and a handful of greed
Keep 'em happy, keep 'em drinking
Keep 'em laughing, no thinking
No dying, no weeping
Keep 'em hypnotized, keep 'em sleeping
All across the nation
It's civilisation
Pack you off to school, get working
Get a steady job, no shirking
Get to sixty-five, get a handshake
You're a vegetable with a heartache
All across the nation
It's civilisation
The lyrics of Richard & Linda Thompson's song "Civilisation" paint a bleak picture of modern life in the western world. The song critiques the consumerist, conformist, and dehumanizing aspects of modern civilization. The first verse highlights the racial and class prejudices embedded in society. The "they" in the song refers to the faceless people who live next door, quietly going about their lives, but who are viewed with suspicion and contempt by the singer. The singer views them as not quite human, with their hygienic, medicated, and materialistic lifestyle. The second verse is a scathing critique of the homogenizing effect of modern media, which tranquilizes and hypnotizes people into conformity, while the patriarchal and violent family dynamics lead to abuse and exploitation.
The chorus of "Civilisation" sums up the song's overarching message, which is that modern civilization is a soulless and dehumanizing enterprise. The chorus describes how people are kept happy, drinking, and laughing, while being isolated from each other and from their own feelings. The final verse is a reflection on the meaninglessness of modern life, where people are expected to follow a predetermined path that leads to retirement and eventual death. The song paints a bleak picture of a society that values conformity, materialism, and homogeneity over human connection and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
They're not human, they're with the Woolwich
The people in question are dehumanized and not worthy of basic respect or humanity.
They eat food I wouldn't give to my dog
Their dietary habits are disgusting and inhumane.
They're hygienic, medicated
Despite their inhumane qualities, they attempt to maintain the appearance of normalcy.
They wouldn't live next door to no wog
They're racist and harbor hatred towards people of different races or cultures.
They're not human, where do they come from?
The people in question are so different from the rest of humanity that their origin is unknown.
I don't know what they're living here for
The singer is confused as to why these people exist in society, and what purpose they serve.
They don't belong here, on this planet
The singer believes that these people do not fit in with the rest of humanity and should not exist on Earth.
What are they doing in the house next door?
The proximity of these people to the artist's personal space is troubling and disconcerting.
Wife's tranquilized, milk's pasteurized
The artist observes that his family has become complacent, conforming to societal norms and expectations.
Kid's hypnotized by the t.v.
Children are indoctrinated by mass media and become passive, mindless consumers and followers of popular culture.
Dad'll beat you, dog'll eat you
The culture of violence and power dynamics is pervasive, resulting in abuse and mistreatment of others.
They'll treat you like family
Despite the disturbing nature of familial dynamics, people continue to treat each other with familiarity and comfort.
All across the nation
These societal norms and behaviors are pervasive throughout the country.
It's civilisation
The singer believes that this culture and way of life is what constitutes 'civilization,' but it is deeply flawed and problematic.
They're not human, they've got a new car
The same dehumanized individuals are now obsessed with material possessions and consumer culture.
They're going to polish it all the day long
These individuals are so consumed by their possessions that they spend all of their time and energy maintaining and admiring them.
Got a brand new rubber woman
They objectify and dehumanize women to the point of replacing them with literally inanimate objects.
They're going to blow her up all the night long
Their sexual desires are violent and destructive.
It's a double cross
The singer exposes the selfish and duplicitous nature of these individuals, who have sold out their values for personal gain.
They sold out for a handful of beads
Their greed and materialism led them to trade their integrity for something as insignificant as beads.
Keep 'em happy, keep 'em drinking
The oppressive forces in society want to maintain control by keeping people placated and distracted.
Keep 'em laughing, no thinking
The ruling forces do not want citizens to engage in critical thinking or questioning of societal norms.
No dying, no weeping
The societal norms and expectations are so oppressive that even basic human emotions and experiences are suppressed.
Keep 'em hypnotized, keep 'em sleeping
The oppressive forces maintain control by keeping people lethargic and passive, similar to the indoctrination of children through the television.
Pack you off to school, get working
The societal expectations and pressures begin at a young age and continue throughout the rest of their lives.
Get a steady job, no shirking
The pressure to conform includes getting a reliable job and fulfilling expectations within that job.
Get to sixty-five, get a handshake
The ultimate goal in life is to reach old age and be congratulated for temporal achievements.
You're a vegetable with a heartache
Despite achieving all of these societal expectations, the artist believes that one becomes disconnected, unfeeling, and hopeless in the process.
Contributed by Aaron A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gareth Griffith-Jones
The master of the montage hits gold yet again. Terrific images perfectly synchronised to an infectious song. The video is both entertaining and disturbing. So much content, it is worthy - no, demands - seeing over and over again. Thank you Mehefinheulog1 for a post Christmas delectation! Gareth Griffith-Jones
LedWhoFloyd
This song is really weird, but your slide show is even weirder! I love it!!!! I have to wonder where you get all these pictures, or even come up with the idea to splice McDonalds with ancient Greek images. Very interesting.
bgfd1
There is an honesty about this song. It's so raw. I think more punk than when punk was so hip. What is civilisation? Love the way the video shows images of Mc Donalds with ancient Egyption sites as they are both images of 'civilisation’ . Well not sure about Mc Donalds being an image of civilisation looking back on what I had written. Civilisation gone wrong maybe.
Mehefinheulog1
Did King Tut prefer the quarter-pounder or the Chicken McNuggets - that's the real question here, I feel.
Mehefinheulog1
wow rapid commenting!! reggae accordion yay!! a superb and much overlooked album....
Mehefinheulog1
well, you know me... the wierder the better (like all my images just mercilessly plundered fro Google images....) and the idea? the song writing genius of Mr Richard Thompson of course - a real genius
Mehefinheulog1
one has to do something to help that turkey go down!!
Bruchag
On the evening that Gerry Anderson's clogged popped :-))) Strangely apposite...great obscure song though ... Sunny Suffi's