99 Red Balloons
Ringtone Hits Lyrics
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Of clueless blues,
Pays the views,
And no-mans news.
Blades will fade from blood to sport,
The heroin's cut these fuses short,
Smokers rode a colonial pig, [Smoke is rolling colonial pink,]
Drink and frame this pain i think.
You bleed your wings and then disappear.
The moving scenes and pilot lights, [...pyre lights]
Smithereens have got 'em scaling heights.
Modern times come talk me down,
And battle lines are drawn across this town.
Parisian boys without your names, [...with obscure names]
Ghetto stones instead of chains,
Talk 'em down cause it's up in flames, [Talk me down...]
And nothing's changed.
Parisian boys without your names, [...with obscure names]
Riot like 1968 again.
The days of rage yeah nothing's changed,
Well pretty flames.
In school I would just bite my tongue,
And now your words they strike me down. [But now your words have struck me dumb.]
The flags are false and they contradict,
They point and click which wounds to lick,
On avenues this christian breeze,
Turns it's heart to more needles please.
Our eyes roll back and we beg for more,
It frays this skin and then underscore.
The case for war you spin and bleed,
The sales you feel screensavers feed,
The girls you breed the soaps that you write,
The graceless charm of your gutter snipes.
The moving scenes and suburbanites,
And smithereens got 'em scaling heights.
Modern times come talk me down,
The battle lines are drawn across this town.
English boys without your names, [...with obscure names]
Ghetto stones instead of chains,
Hearts and minds and US Planes,
Nothing's changed...
And english boys without your names, [...with obscure names]
Riot like the 1980's again,
The days of rage yeah nothing's changed,
More pretty flames.
The lyrics to Ringtone Hits' song "99 Red Balloons" are infused with social and political commentary. The verses are a reflection on the state of modern society, particularly the ways in which power is wielded by those in authority. The lyrics speak to the idea that those in power manipulate the masses through a combination of distractions, lies, and violence.
The verse "Blades will fade from blood to sport, the heroin's cut these fuses short, smokers rode a colonial pig, drink and frame this pain I think" is a clear reference to the ways in which violence is glorified in our society through sports, drugs, and war. The lines "I'm melting silver poles my dear, you bleed your wings and then disappear" speak to the idea that those who seek power, fame, or wealth often destroy themselves in the process.
The chorus, which repeats the phrase "nothing's changed," underscores the idea that despite the passage of time and the achievements of modern society, the human condition remains largely unchanged. The final verse speaks to the idea that those in power continue to manipulate the masses through lies and propaganda, but that true change can only come through grassroots movements and collective action.
Line by Line Meaning
In city shoes,
Wearing urban footwear,
Of clueless blues,
Feeling lost and uncertain,
Pays the views,
Conforming to societal expectations,
And no-mans news.
Ignoring important events and issues,
Blades will fade from blood to sport,
Violence becomes entertainment,
The heroin's cut these fuses short,
Drug addiction leads to destruction,
Smokers rode a colonial pig,
Smoking a particular brand of cigarette,
Drink and frame this pain i think.
Using substances to cope with emotional pain,
I'm melting silver poles my dear,
Feeling emotional and vulnerable,
You bleed your wings and then disappear.
Being hurt and disappearing,
The moving scenes and pilot lights,
Dynamic visuals and sparks,
Smithereens have got 'em scaling heights.
Destruction leads to excitement and adrenaline,
Modern times come talk me down,
Feeling overwhelmed by society,
And battle lines are drawn across this town.
Conflict and opposition exist,
Parisian boys without your names,
Nameless individuals in Paris,
Ghetto stones instead of chains,
Symbols of oppression replaced by violence,
Talk 'em down cause it's up in flames,
Trying to calm the situation as it becomes chaotic,
And nothing's changed.
Despite the violence and chaos, nothing has improved,
Riot like 1968 again.
Protesting in a manner similar to the past,
The days of rage yeah nothing's changed,
Despite the passage of time, the anger and frustration remain,
Well pretty flames.
Despite the destruction, there is something aesthetically pleasing about the flames,
In school I would just bite my tongue,
Holding back thoughts and opinions,
And now your words they strike me down.
Being hurt by someone's words,
The flags are false and they contradict,
National symbols do not align with reality,
They point and click which wounds to lick,
Choosing which issues to address and which to ignore,
On avenues this christian breeze,
Religious influence in society,
Turns it's heart to more needles please.
Focusing on material comforts and desires,
Our eyes roll back and we beg for more,
Craving stimulation and entertainment,
It frays this skin and then underscore.
The experience damages and underscores the emptiness of the situation,
The case for war you spin and bleed,
Using propaganda to justify war and causing harm,
The sales you feel screensavers feed,
The media attempts to sell a particular lifestyle and mentality,
The girls you breed the soaps that you write,
Stereotypes and objectification of women in media,
The graceless charm of your gutter snipes.
The lack of sophistication and vulgarity of certain individuals,
The moving scenes and suburbanites,
Interesting visuals and suburban culture,
And smithereens got 'em scaling heights.
Destruction leads to excitement and adrenaline,
Modern times come talk me down,
Feeling overwhelmed by society,
The battle lines are drawn across this town.
Conflict and opposition exist,
English boys without your names,
Nameless individuals in England,
Ghetto stones instead of chains,
Symbols of oppression replaced by violence,
Hearts and minds and US Planes,
The emotional and intellectual aspects of war as well as the militaristic aspect,
Nothing's changed...
Despite the violence and chaos, nothing has improved,
And english boys without your names,
Nameless individuals in England,
Riot like the 1980's again,
Protesting in a manner similar to the past,
The days of rage yeah nothing's changed,
Despite the passage of time, the anger and frustration remain,
More pretty flames.
Despite the destruction, there is something aesthetically pleasing about the flames,
Contributed by Levi C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.