It's a Small World
The C.R.S. Players Lyrics


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That's great, it starts with an earthquake
Birds and snakes, and aeroplanes
And Lenny Bruce is not afraid

Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn
World serves its own needs
Don't mis-serve your own needs
Speed it up a notch, speed, grunt, no, strength
The ladder starts to clatter
With a fear of height, down, height
Wire in a fire, represent the seven games
And a government for hire and a combat site
Left her, wasn't coming in a hurry
With the Furies breathing down your neck

Team by team, reporters baffled, trumped, tethered, cropped
Look at that low plane, fine, then
Uh oh, overflow, population, common group
But it'll do, save yourself, serve yourself
World serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed
Tell me with the Rapture and the reverent in the right, right
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam fight, bright light
Feeling pretty psyched

It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine

Six o'clock, T.V. hour, don't get caught in foreign tower
Slash and burn, return, listen to yourself churn
Lock him in uniform, book burning, bloodletting
Every motive escalate, automotive incinerate
Light a candle, light a motive, step down, step down
Watch your heel crush, crush, uh oh
This means no fear, cavalier, renegade and steering clear
A tournament, a tournament, a tournament of lies
Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I decline

It's the end of the world as we know it (I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)
I feel fine (I feel fine)

It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)

The other night I drifted nice continental drift divide
Mountains sit in a line, Leonard Bernstein
Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester Bangs
Birthday party, cheesecake, jellybean, boom
You symbiotic, patriotic, slam but neck, right, right

It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)




It's the end of the world as we know it (time I had some time alone)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine (time I had some time alone)

Overall Meaning

"It's the End of the World as We Know It" by The C.R.S. Players is a rapid-fire, stream-of-consciousness song filled with imagery and wordplay. The lyrics seem to capture a sense of chaos and uncertainty, reflecting the anxieties and turmoil of the world. The song opens with references to an earthquake, birds, snakes, and airplanes, setting a tone of upheaval and unpredictability. The mention of Lenny Bruce, a controversial comedian known for his social commentary, suggests a willingness to confront the uncomfortable or taboo.


Throughout the song, there is a call to action, urging individuals to take control of their own lives and not be swayed by external forces. The repetition of "serve yourself" emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and personal agency. The references to a hurricane, government corruption, and a combat site allude to the power struggles and external pressures that can shape our existence.


The lyrics also touch on themes of media consumption and propaganda. The line "Team by team, reporters baffled, trumped, tethered, cropped" portrays the confusion and manipulation that can occur when information is controlled or distorted. The song challenges the status quo and encourages critical thinking, rejecting blind conformity and urging the pursuit of alternative solutions.


Despite the chaotic and uncertain state of the world, the chorus repeats the phrase "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine," suggesting a resilience and acceptance of the inevitable. It acknowledges the fear and anxiety but also maintains a sense of optimism and personal well-being.


Overall, "It's the End of the World as We Know It" is a thought-provoking song that intertwines themes of chaos, individuality, and resilience. It prompts listeners to question the prevailing narratives and take charge of their own lives in the face of uncertainty.


Line by Line Meaning

That's great, it starts with an earthquake
This song begins with a chaotic event, symbolizing the chaotic state of the world.


Birds and snakes, and aeroplanes
Various creatures and man-made objects are mentioned, representing the diversity and complexity of the world.


And Lenny Bruce is not afraid
Even in the face of fear and uncertainty, individuals like Lenny Bruce remain fearless and unafraid.


Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn
Comparing the world to the center of a hurricane, urging individuals to reflect on their own inner turmoil and confusion.


World serves its own needs
The world operates according to its own agenda, prioritizing its own interests.


Don't mis-serve your own needs
Despite the world's self-serving nature, one should not neglect their own needs and desires.


Speed it up a notch, speed, grunt, no, strength
Advocating for increased urgency and effort in the face of adversity.


The ladder starts to clatter
The structure of society begins to shake and falter.


With a fear of height, down, height
Feeling a sense of anxiety and instability as societal norms and expectations crumble.


Wire in a fire, represent the seven games
Using a metaphorical fire to symbolize the chaotic state of the world and the various conflicts and struggles within it.


And a government for hire and a combat site
Highlighting the corrupt nature of governments and the constant state of conflict and power struggles.


Left her, wasn't coming in a hurry
Someone or something left abruptly, without any urgency to return.


With the Furies breathing down your neck
Feeling pursued and threatened by the consequences of one's actions or by turbulent external forces.


Team by team, reporters baffled, trumped, tethered, cropped
Describing the confusion and manipulation in the media, with reporters being restricted and controlled.


Look at that low plane, fine, then
Observing an unusual and potentially concerning event, but remaining indifferent or accepting of it.


Uh oh, overflow, population, common group
Expressing concern about overpopulation and the homogeneity of society.


But it'll do, save yourself, serve yourself
Accepting that the current state of affairs may not be ideal, so one must prioritize self-preservation and personal interests.


World serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed
Reiterating that the world is self-serving and urging individuals to pay attention to their own emotional well-being.


Tell me with the Rapture and the reverent in the right, right
Questioning the true motives and sincerity of religious or spiritual beliefs.


You vitriolic, patriotic, slam fight, bright light
Critiquing the aggressive and divisive nature of patriotism, highlighting the blinding effect it can have.


Feeling pretty psyched
Experiencing a mix of excitement and anticipation in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.


It's the end of the world as we know it
Acknowledging that the current state of the world is undergoing significant changes or upheaval.


It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, the singer feels content and unaffected by the world's turmoil.


Six o'clock, T.V. hour, don't get caught in foreign tower
Advising against being influenced or trapped by foreign ideologies or propaganda presented through television.


Slash and burn, return, listen to yourself churn
Encouraging self-reflection and introspection amidst destructive actions and a constant cycle of change.


Lock him in uniform, book burning, bloodletting
Highlighting oppressive practices and events like censorship and violence perpetrated by those in power.


Every motive escalate, automotive incinerate
The escalation of motives and conflicts leads to the destruction of not only individuals but also institutions.


Light a candle, light a motive, step down, step down
Encouraging individuals to take action, ignite change, and step away from oppressive systems or structures.


Watch your heel crush, crush, uh oh
Being aware of the consequences of one's actions and the potential harm they can cause.


This means no fear, cavalier, renegade and steering clear
Promoting bravery, rebellion, and a refusal to conform to societal expectations or norms.


A tournament, a tournament, a tournament of lies
Describing a figurative competition or struggle where deceit and falsehoods are prevalent.


Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I decline
Rejecting the proposed solutions or alternatives offered by others, preferring to rely on oneself.


The other night I drifted nice continental drift divide
Reflecting on a recent experience or observation that symbolizes the division and separation of people or ideologies.


Mountains sit in a line, Leonard Bernstein
Depicting a scene where mountains align in a uniform manner, unrelated to the famous composer Leonard Bernstein.


Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester Bangs
Naming significant individuals from different fields, emphasizing the diversity and influence of these figures.


Birthday party, cheesecake, jellybean, boom
Listing random, unrelated items or events that evoke a sense of celebratory chaos or confusion.


You symbiotic, patriotic, slam but neck, right, right
Describing the complex and contradictory nature of individuals who are intertwined with their country's interests, creating conflict.


It's the end of the world as we know it
Repeating the refrain to emphasize the message that the world is undergoing significant changes or upheaval.


It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine
Reinforcing the idea that despite the chaos, the singer feels content and untroubled by the world's turmoil.




Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Michael Stipe, Michael E. Mills, Peter Lawrence Buck, William Thomas Berry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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