Science Fiction/Double Feature
Rocky Horror Picture Show Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But he told us where we stand
And Flash Gordon was there in silver underwear
Claude Raines was the invisible man
Then something went wrong for Fay Wray and King Kong
They got caught in a celluloid jam
Then at a deadly pace it came from outer space
And this is how the message ran:
Science Fiction - Double Feature
Dr. X will build a creature
See androids fighting Brad and Janet
Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet
Oh-oh at the late night, double feature, picture show.
I knew Leo G. Carroll was over a barrel
When Tarantula took to the hills
And I really got hot when I saw Janet Scott
Fight a Triffid that spits poison and kills
Dana Andrews said prunes gave him the runes
And passing them used lots of skills
But when worlds collide, said George Pal to his bride
I'm gonna give you some terrible thrills, like a:
Science Fiction - Double Feature
Dr. X will build a creature
See androids fighting Brad and Janet
Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet
Oh-oh at the late night, double feature, picture show.
I wanna go, oh-oh, to the late night double feature picture show.
By RKO, oh-oh, at the late night double feature picture show.
In the back row at the late night double feature picture show.
The song "Science Fiction/Double Feature" is the opening track of the musical comedy film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" released in 1975. The song is performed by the character credited as the "Usherette", who begins the film by singing the song as an intro to the audience. The song is a homage to classic science fiction and horror films from the 1930s to the 1960s. The lyrics mention several iconic characters and actors from those films, such as Michael Rennie from The Day The Earth Stood Still, Flash Gordon, Claude Raines from The Invisible Man, Fay Wray and King Kong, and Anne Francis from Forbidden Planet.
The song also references some B horror movies such as Tarantula and The Day of the Triffids. It paints the image of a drive-in movie theater where people gather to watch these movies, and the excitement and thrill they get from it. It invites the audience to join the experience, "Oh-oh at the late night, double feature, picture show. I wanna go, oh-oh, to the late night double feature picture show. By RKO, oh-oh, at the late night double feature picture show. In the back row at the late night double feature picture show."
The song is not only a tribute to the science fiction and horror genre but also a critique of the mainstream cinema of its time. The lyrics suggest that these classic films were more daring and had more to say than the popular movies of the 1970s. By presenting these films as an escape from a dull reality, the song challenges the consumer culture that surrounded the film industry at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Michael Rennie was ill the day the earth stood still
Michael Rennie was sick on the day when the earth stopped moving, but he revealed some things to us which clarified where we are in the universe.
But he told us where we stand
Despite being ill, Michael Rennie informed us about our place in the world.
And Flash Gordon was there in silver underwear
Flash Gordon was present in his signature silver undergarments.
Claude Raines was the invisible man
Claude Raines featured as the invisible man.
Then something went wrong for Fay Wray and King Kong
Fay Wray and King Kong's fates took an unintended turn.
They got caught in a celluloid jam
Fay Wray and King Kong were trapped in a film reel error.
Then at a deadly pace it came from outer space
Something from the outer space arrived at an alarming speed.
And this is how the message ran:
This is how the story unfolded:
Science Fiction - Double Feature
A double feature of science fiction films.
Dr. X will build a creature
Dr. X will construct a being.
See androids fighting Brad and Janet
Observe robotic doppelgängers battling Brad and Janet.
Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet
Anne Francis features in the Forbidden Planet experience.
I knew Leo G. Carroll was over a barrel
I realized that Leo G. Caroll was in a difficult situation.
When Tarantula took to the hills
Tarantula ran away to the hills.
And I really got hot when I saw Janet Scott
I was thoroughly engrossed when I witnessed Janet Scott.
Fight a Triffid that spits poison and kills
Engage in combat with a Triffid that sprays poisonous fluid and takes lives.
Dana Andrews said prunes gave him the runes
Dana Andrews claimed that eating prunes gave him magical attributes.
And passing them used lots of skills
And using them required a significant aptitude.
But when worlds collide, said George Pal to his bride
However, according to George Pal, when two worlds converge:
I'm gonna give you some terrible thrills, like a:
He will deliver some frightening sensations, akin to a(n):
I wanna go, oh-oh, to the late night double feature picture show.
I desire to attend the late night double feature film presentation.
By RKO, oh-oh, at the late night double feature picture show.
Hosted by RKO, the late night double feature film event is:
In the back row at the late night double feature picture show.
As an attendee, I will be in the rear seating area of the late night double feature film exhibition.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind