Their sound has been described as an amalgamation of psychedelic rock, industrial, synth-pop and avant-garde. They have released over 40 records and continuously tour the world.
Members of the band have also collaborated with Nurse With Wound, The Dresden Dolls, Jarboe, HNAS, Jim O'Rourke, Skinny Puppy's cEvin Key, forming The Tear Garden. Ka Spel accompanied Skinny Puppy for a small part of their 1988 European 'Head Trauma' tour in Sweden. Key also appears on the 1994 album 9 Lives to Wonder.
Apocalypse Then
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Die down! Lie down! You forfeited your right to survive.
I clutched at your sleeve and we danced in the fire. Just a pair of spastic swingers on a melting plastic floor... But you crumbled in my hands as I fumbled in your blouse, slipping through my fingers to my feet. It felt like mustard -- hot like custard.
And in the dust that was once an arm, a kra-zee wrote the 13th Psalm. The final gesture.... He did it with calm precision, he dotted every eye. A lullaby for lovers on the last day.
A dog defaced a baby; knawed a rattle, smashed a pram. He was yelping wildly in a vacuum. No-one really gave a damn. They were thinking only of themselves... Yes, they searched for a release. They hid in cupboards, under tables; they cabled Jesus, called the police.
And the radio screams out, "We're winning!" And about how the loss was minimal and how the gallant sacrifice will live on in memorials, and how we'll respect again. We're no playground anymore. You cannot keep this country down for long, because we win so many fucking wars.
The lyrics to "Apocalypse Then" by The Legendary Pink Dots describe the chaos and destruction that occurs as a result of war and the blind nationalism that drives it. The first stanza depicts the rise of patriotism during war, as flags hang from windows and poppies are handed out. The following lines describe the fervor that occurs when a nation gets swept up in the excitement of war, with military leaders demanding obedience and propaganda being broadcast through the airwaves.
The second stanza deals with the consequences of this blind nationalism, as individuals forfeit their right to survive and are forced to pay their last respects with poisoned cups. The imagery of individuals clawing craters in the shelters and blasting their brains out in the dark depicts the desperation and hopelessness that war brings. The inclusion of Thatcher's voice and the line "crime is crime is crime" suggests that the response to war is often to resort to authoritarian measures rather than addressing the root of the problem.
Line by Line Meaning
And so it came to pass that a flag flew in every window and widows handed poppies out in the square...
The war was over and the nation celebrated every soldier's contribution as the widows sell poppies to remember their loss and their victory by flying flags in every window.
And squares were bashed and majors barked and marching music laughed from the airwaves.
People celebrated the war by marching and smashing buildings while military officers shouted and propaganda music played on the radio.
The waves were there to rule again. We had the ambition. We had the ammunition... A mission in the name of God... In the name of 'democracy', demo-crazy.
The military was still strong and had the desire and resources to wage war again in the name of religion and democracy.
Die down! Lie down! You forfeited your right to survive.
People who caused chaos should surrender and accept the punishment for their actions as they do not have the right to live freely anymore.
I clutched at your sleeve and we danced in the fire. Just a pair of spastic swingers on a melting plastic floor... But you crumbled in my hands as I fumbled in your blouse, slipping through my fingers to my feet. It felt like mustard -- hot like custard.
The artist danced with someone during the chaos, but their partner died and fell apart in their arms like a substance that was hot and messy, causing a feeling of discomfort and disgust.
And in the dust that was once an arm, a kra-zee wrote the 13th Psalm. The final gesture.... He did it with calm precision, he dotted every eye. A lullaby for lovers on the last day.
Someone who lost an arm wrote a poetic psalm while dying calmly and with finality, ensuring that every detail was perfect as a goodbye gift to their loved ones.
Paying last respects with cups of poison... Pointed passive at the blood sky... Lying lifeless at their doors. Clawing craters in the shelters. Helter-skelter in the lift shafts, blasting brains out in the dark. LIE DOWN!! Lie down! 'crime is crime is crime' (Thatcher's voice)
People commit suicide by drinking poison, shooting themselves or tearing up shelters because they can no longer tolerate the chaos and destruction that surrounds them, with the voice of a politician reminding all that any crime is still a crime.
A dog defaced a baby; knawed a rattle, smashed a pram. He was yelping wildly in a vacuum. No-one really gave a damn. They were thinking only of themselves... Yes, they searched for a release. They hid in cupboards, under tables; they cabled Jesus, called the police.
The war caused people to become selfish and indifferent to the suffering of others, as a dog causes harm to a baby while nobody cares, people hiding from danger and calling on their religion or the authorities for help.
And the radio screams out, 'We're winning!' And about how the loss was minimal and how the gallant sacrifice will live on in memorials, and how we'll respect again. We're no playground anymore. You cannot keep this country down for long, because we win so many fucking wars.
The propaganda on the radio praises the country's victory, minimalizing the losses and promising that they will be remembered with respect while also warning other countries not to underestimate them as they have won many wars.
Contributed by Hunter H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.