Hero Worship
The B-52’s Lyrics
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Like Hell's magnet
Pulls me down
On my knees
I try to please his eyes
His idol eyes
Jerking motions won't revive him
I just lay down beside him
And idolize
Motor, motor
Broken hearted
Rusted, rotted
Falling apart
A lock of hair
A belt he wore
It's not enough
I WANT MORE
God give me his soul
God give me his soul
Heroes falling to the ground
Like Hell's magnet
Pulls me down
On my knees
I try to please his eyes
His idol eyes
The lyrics to The B-52's's song "Hero Worship" conjure up images of a person obsessed with someone they idolize. The lyrics suggest a sense of despair and desperation as the singer sees their hero falling to the ground like a magnet. In their attempt to save their hero, they find themselves on their knees trying to please him and idolize him with their every action. The idol's eyes hold a power over the singer that is all-consuming, making them appear desperate and perhaps longing for some sort of reciprocal relationship, yet it remains out of reach.
The lyrics also suggest a sense of hopelessness, as the singer attempts to revive their fallen idol, but nothing is working. Even giving the idol mouth-to-mouth resuscitation isn't enough. Eventually, the singer gives up on trying to save their hero and instead lays down beside him, continuing to idolize him. The focus of their attention appears to be less about the actual individual than about the idea of a heroic figure, one who has been built up in the singer's imagination as aspirational and vital.
Overall, the lyrics to "Hero Worship" explore themes of idolization, longing, and unrequited love. The singer's obsession with their hero is all-consuming, and they feel powerless to resist the pull of their idol's magnetism, despite the consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Heroes falling to the ground
Mighty heroes who once stood tall, are now collapsing and falling down
Like Hell's magnet
A force as strong and inescapable as gravitational pull towards hell
Pulls me down
Drag me down to the depths of despair and darkness
On my knees
Begging and pleading for mercy and forgiveness
I try to please his eyes
Do anything to catch his attention and demonstrate loyalty
His idol eyes
Eyes of worship and admiration towards an idol or a god-like figure
Jerking motions won't revive him
Shaking or moving his body won't bring him back to life
Mouth to mouth resusitation
Trying to breathe life back into him with a mouth-to-mouth CPR
I just lay down beside him
Giving up and accepting that he's gone, and just laying beside him
And idolize
Continuing to worship and idolize him even after his death
Motor, motor
Referring to a machine or a heart that's broken
Broken hearted
Feeling deeply hurt and shattered inside
Rusted, rotted
Deteriorated and decayed beyond repair or recognition
Falling apart
Disintegrating and collapsing into pieces
A lock of hair
A physical remnant or a symbol of his being
A belt he wore
An item of clothing or an accessory that he used to wear
It's not enough
Feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled with just a few existing retainers
I WANT MORE
Craving for more elements or clues about him to obtain a complete understanding
God give me his soul
A plea or a demand to a higher power to provide the essence of his being
God give me his soul
Repeating the same plea or demand to emphasize the desire and desperation
Heroes falling to the ground
Reiterating the fall of glorious heroes, as a reminder of their mortality and vulnerability
Like Hell's magnet
Reaffirming the irresistible and destructive pull towards death and darkness
Pulls me down
Echoing the feeling of being dragged down and overwhelmed by the loss and grief
On my knees
Closing the song with the same image of being on one's knees, conveying a sense of resignation and surrender
I try to please his eyes
Ending the song with the same plea and devotion towards the idol, regardless of his death or absence
His idol eyes
Ending the song with the same image of idolizing and worshipping the idol, as the ultimate source of inspiration and desire
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROBERT WALDROP, CATHERINE ELIZABETH PIERSON, FREDERICK WILLIAM III SCHNEIDER, KEITH STRICKLAND, CYNTHIA LEIGH WILSON, RICKY HELTON WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rtqii
Ricky Wilson drivin', like a sports car
God I want you, like a fuel engine
Energized line, like a road
You ride me
Like a road
You ride me
Foot on the peddle
Feet in the air
Sand in my hair
Oh, don't look back
Don't look behind you
Reckless drivin' on
Dirty back Road
Ricky Wilson drivin', like a sports car
God I want you, like a fuel engine
Energized line, like a road
You ride me
Like a road
You ride me
Foot on the peddle
Feet in the air
Sand in my hair
Oh, don't look back
Don't look behind you
Reckless drivin' on
Dirty back Road
@lafilledegaia2284
Heroes falling to the ground
Like Hell's magnet
Pulls me down
On my knees
I try to please his eyes
His idol eyes
Jerking motions won't revive him
Mouth to mouth resuscitation
I just lay down beside him
And idolize
Motor, motor
Broken hearted
Rusted, rotted
Falling apart
A lock of hair
A belt he wore
It's not enough
I WANT MORE
God give me his soul
God give me his soul
Heroes falling to the ground
Like Hell's magnet
Pulls me down
On my knees
I try to please his eyes
His idol eyes
@jeraldolorenzi4293
I am 56 yes. old and will always sing and dance to the B-52's! My family plays the B-52%s at family parties and our younger generations love to listen to them as well! I am a die hard B-52's fan for life!
@Rlduncan1
Jeraldo Lorenzi Love love ❤️ the B52’s!!! We’re about a year apart!
@tt14life90
I turned 55 today and am jamming this album. ☺️❤️
@shantideva07
Me too ❤️
@LeshaAnn
Umm, I'm not sure this song is appropriate for an all-ages gathering, Hon!
@samfrito
Had to give you the 57th like, because I love this song and right now, I'm 57.
@MsNovemberry
This song is freaking dirty. So, are a number of their early songs. Gotta love 'em.
@sharksport01
Dirty back road, bend over.
@rtqii
Ricky Wilson drivin', like a sports car
God I want you, like a fuel engine
Energized line, like a road
You ride me
Like a road
You ride me
Foot on the peddle
Feet in the air
Sand in my hair
Oh, don't look back
Don't look behind you
Reckless drivin' on
Dirty back Road
Ricky Wilson drivin', like a sports car
God I want you, like a fuel engine
Energized line, like a road
You ride me
Like a road
You ride me
Foot on the peddle
Feet in the air
Sand in my hair
Oh, don't look back
Don't look behind you
Reckless drivin' on
Dirty back Road
@rorymcdaniel26
Cindy really kills it on this track, I SO love it!