Capital City
Simple Minds Lyrics


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Nerve and nerve
This coastline swerves
To a city that they live on
I walk on by
Animals cry
To a city that they live on
To a city that they walk on
To a city that they live on
Pulse Feel Pulse

This train is late
I hesitate
To a city that they live on
Dance the dance of violence
To a city that they live on
To a city that they crawl on
To a city that they live on

Pulse Feel Pulse

City that they live on
Feel
To a city that they crawl on
To a city live on




Feel
City that they crawl on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Simple Minds' song Capital City are quite abstract and vague, but they elicit a sense of tension and chaos in a bustling urban landscape. The recurring theme of "nerve" suggests a heightened state of awareness or anxiety. The opening line "This coastline swerves" hints at the unpredictability of the city's terrain, with the singer walking past crying animals, perhaps implying a sense of despair and hopelessness. The repetition of "pulse feel pulse" echoes the rhythm of a beating heart, further emphasizing the underlying tension in the song.


The mention of a late train and hesitation to enter the city further adds to the feeling of unease. The line "dance the dance of violence" is particularly striking, suggesting a level of aggression that permeates the city's culture. The repeated reference to the city that "they live on" and "crawl on" implies a sense of being trapped, unable to escape the town's grip on their lives.


Overall, Capital City paints a fairly bleak picture of modern urban life, where the constant hustle and bustle of the city can create an overwhelming sense of helplessness and despair.


Line by Line Meaning

Nerve and nerve
The citizens of this capital city are tense and on edge


This coastline swerves
The physical landscape of the area leading up to the city is curvy and unpredictable


To a city that they live on
This city is the place that these individuals call home


I walk on by
The artist is simply passing through this city


Animals cry
The atmosphere in this city is stressful and tense enough to make the local animals distressed and vocalize their discomfort


Pulse Feel Pulse
The heartbeat of the city is fast and intense


This train is late
Public transportation is unreliable and inconsistent in this city


I hesitate
The artist is unsure about something ahead in their travels


Dance the dance of violence
The citizens of this city often resort to violent behaviors to solve their problems or express themselves


To a city that they crawl on
The individuals living here are weighed down and struggling to get by in this city


City that they live on
This city is the only place these people have ever lived and they are somewhat trapped here


Feel
The emotions of those living in this city run high


To a city that they crawl on
The struggles and hardships faced by individuals in this city are significant and life-altering


To a city live on
The citizens of this city are resigned to a challenging way of life


Feel
Despite the difficulties, these people feel a deep connection to their city


City that they crawl on
This city is a burden on the people who live here, but they have no choice but to keep going




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN MCGEE, MICHAEL JOSEPH MACNEIL, DEREK FORBES, JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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