Seconds
The Human League(ÈËÀàÁªÃ˺ϳªÍÅ) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hiding from the sun
Waiting for the golden one
Waiting for your fame
After the parade has gone
Outside was a happy place
Every face had a smile like the golden face
Your knuckles white as your fingers curl
The shot that was heard around the world
For a seconds
It took seconds of your time to take his life
It took seconds
It took seconds of your time to take his life
It took seconds
It took seconds of your time to take his life
It took seconds of your time to take his life
Seconds
Seconds
It took seconds of your time to take his life
It took secons
It took seconds of your time to take his life
It took seconds
For a second
It took seconds of your time to take his life
It took seconds
It took seconds of your time to take his life
It took seconds
For a second
It took seconds of your time to take his life
Seconds of your time to take his life
For a second
For a second
For a second
The lyrics of “Seconds” by The Human League express reflections and regrets regarding the swift, disastrous consequences of a single choice. The first stanza sets up the tension of the song as the singer waits for his or her moment of fame amidst a parade that has passed. It seems as though the individual hiding from the sun is biding his or her time to achieve something, perhaps through the same parade, "waiting for the golden one," leading to their "fame." However, everything changes in the second stanza as the happy face of the parade shifts, and the singer curls their fingers together. Suddenly, a shot rings out, a metaphor for a terrible choice, as everything changes in an instant.
The chorus repeats the four lines, reaffirming the result of the deadly choice. It is repeated numerous times in the song, emphasizing the speed and fatal impact of the decision. The word “seconds” invades the rest of the song, signifying the immediate and irreversible consequences of the act. The singer is haunted by their decision and is left to reflect upon their life so far.
The song is a bleak yet powerful examination of the impact of rash decisions and the guilt that comes with it. The Human League does an excellent job of communicating the devastating aftermath of a horrific choice, encapsulating the consequences in the haunting repetition of the word “seconds.”
Line by Line Meaning
All day
Throughout the entire day
Hiding from the sun
Avoiding the sun's rays
Waiting for the golden one
Anticipating someone special
Waiting for your fame
Hoping for recognition of your achievements
After the parade has gone
Once the celebration is over and the attention is gone
Outside was a happy place
The outdoors appeared to be a cheerful location
Every face had a smile like the golden face
Every person had a beaming expression resembling a prized possession
For a second
Briefly, for a moment
Your knuckles white as your fingers curl
Your hands tense as you grip hard
The shot that was heard around the world
A gunshot that had international consequences
It took seconds of your time to take his life
His death only took a few moments
Seconds
A short amount of time
For a second
Momentarily
Seconds of your time to take his life
His life was ended in a brief period
For a second
Briefly
Seconds of your time to take his life
His life was taken in mere moments
For a second
Fleeting
Seconds of your time to take his life
Only a few seconds passed before his death
Seconds of your time to take his life
Taking someone's life can happen quickly
It took seconds of your time to take his life
Killing someone can happen in a few moments
It took seconds
It happened quickly
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: ADRIAN WRIGHT, IAN CHARLES BURDEN, JOHN WILLIAM CALLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind