I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Robin Cook Lyrics


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Forty winks in the lobby, make mine a G&T
Then to our favorite hobby, searching for an enemy
Here in our paper houses, stretching for miles and miles
Old men in stripy trousers rule the world with plastic smiles

Good or bad, like it or not
It's the only one we've got
I won't let the sun go down on me
I won't let the sun go down
I won't let the sun go down on me
I won't let the sun go down

Mother nature isn't in it, three hundred million years
Goodbye in just a minute, gone forever, no more tears
Pinball man, power glutton, vacuum inside his head
Forefinger on the button, is he blue or is he red

Break your silence if you would
Before the sun goes down for good

I won't let the sun go down on me
I won't let the sun go down
I won't let the sun go down on me
I won't let the sun go down

I won't let the sun go down on me
I won't let the sun go down

I won't let the sun go down on me
I won't let the sun go down




I won't let the sun go down on me
I won't let the sun go down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Robin Cook's song "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" are a commentary on the absurdities, contradictions, and dangers of modern society. The opening lines paint a picture of leisurely extravagance – "forty winks in the lobby, make mine a G&T" – which is quickly offset by the mention of "searching for an enemy," a reference to the way the media and politicians often create and perpetuate scapegoats to distract from real issues. The reference to "paper houses stretching for miles and miles" is a metaphor for the vastness and artificiality of modern civilization, while the "old men in stripy trousers" who "rule the world with plastic smiles" represent the corrupt and incompetent leaders who are in charge.


The chorus, "I won't let the sun go down on me," is a defiant declaration that the singer will not give up hope, no matter how dire the situation. The metaphors in the following verses highlight the dangers posed by technological advancement, political power games, and the destruction of nature. The "pinball man" with "power glutton" and "vacuum inside his head" represents the nuclear arms race and the threat of destruction it poses. The final verse urges listeners to "break your silence" and speak out against these dangers before it's too late.


Overall, the song is a call to action for individuals to take responsibility for the fate of the planet and to resist the forces that threaten its future.


Line by Line Meaning

Forty winks in the lobby, make mine a G&T
Taking a quick nap in the waiting area while I order myself a gin and tonic.


Then to our favorite hobby, searching for an enemy
Our favorite pastime is finding something or someone to blame for our problems.


Here in our paper houses, stretching for miles and miles
We live in a world where everything is made of paper, from our homes to our relationships, and it all feels temporary and fragile.


Old men in stripy trousers rule the world with plastic smiles
Those in charge seemingly have no true substance or empathy, hiding behind fake smiles and clothing.


Good or bad, like it or not
We're all stuck in this world, whether we like it or not, and we have to take the good with the bad.


It's the only one we've got
This is the only life we have, we don't get to start over or try again if we mess it up.


Mother nature isn't in it, three hundred million years
Our actions have caused so much damage that mother nature no longer holds any significance compared to the long history of the earth.


Goodbye in just a minute, gone forever, no more tears
We are capable of destroying things that took millions of years to grow or evolve in just a matter of moments, and once they're gone, there's no bringing them back.


Pinball man, power glutton, vacuum inside his head
The powerful people in charge are only focused on accumulating more power, with no thought given to the consequences or the impact on others.


Forefinger on the button, is he blue or is he red
The people holding immense power and carrying out actions with just the press of a button have the ability to change everything, with no regard for the consequences of their actions.


Break your silence if you would
Speak up and take action before it's too late.


Before the sun goes down for good
We need to take action before it's too late and our world becomes irreversibly damaged.


I won't let the sun go down on me
I refuse to let the world become so damaged that there's no hope of recovery.


I won't let the sun go down
I won't let the world fall into darkness and despair.


I won't let the sun go down on me
I won't let the damage to the world become so great that there's no hope of recovery.


I won't let the sun go down
I won't let the world fall into darkness and despair.


I won't let the sun go down on me
I won't let the damage to the world become so great that there's no hope of recovery.


I won't let the sun go down
I won't let the world fall into darkness and despair.




Contributed by Luke C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@jakubmurcek1413

90s were an absolute perfection when it comes to dance music - I miss them so much

@kaiser1963

90s was the best for everything

@comingsoon5403

Who's listening in 2024

@matthias123456

Love this song so much.
Here in Januar 2022..
Greetings to all the summer People πŸ˜€πŸ˜€

@thatoneboatguy7547

Who's listening in 2023

@dmitryr2026

2024πŸ˜€

@hishamfarook565

I even remember the house party i was at when i first heard this song and danced on repeat lol

@RevolutioZ

I heard this 96 on the radio in the car a sunny day when i was a 5 year old kid :D Kinda symbolizes the days when even I was happy

@hannamessenger8508

Who is listening 2020πŸ™πŸ™πŸ’₯

@borjadk

Nice ;) love the sound ;)

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