Blacklist
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics


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They scorched the earth; they petrified the forest - painted windows black.
Pumped cyanide in rivers, roamed around in packs ; screamed "STAND, DELIVER!"
they always took it all. Resistance cracked, we'd hide, but sure they'd find us
curled up on the floorboards of our shack.

Five on the blacklist! Five on the blacklist!
We were bubbling under, now we're in there, with a bullet (through the brain)
Frightened on the floorboards of our shack, quite naked,
once we'd fight them - now we take it all.
They have our names, they have our numbers.
the print-out says we take it all again and again untill we pay...

Five on the blacklist! Five on the blacklist!
We were bubbling under, now we're in there, with a bullet.

FIVE ! Five on the blacklist!
FOUR! Five on the blacklist!
THREE! Five on the blacklist!




TWO! Five on the blacklist!
ONE ! Five on the blacklist!

Overall Meaning

The Legendary Pink Dots' song "Blacklist" is a scathing critique of oppressive political regimes and the devastating effects they have on the environment and people. The lyrics describe a group of tyrants who have destroyed natural resources and terrorize their citizens by demanding everything they own. The victims of this regime, who once resisted and fought against their oppressors, are now cowering on the floorboards of their homes out of fear of being caught. The use of the phrase "painted windows black" suggests that the regime is trying to limit freedom of expression and information.


The chorus of the song is a repetition of the phrase "Five on the blacklist!" which emphasizes the systematic oppression of the citizens of this society. The phrase "we were bubbling under, now we're in there, with a bullet (through the brain)" draws attention to the extreme measures and violence used against those who resist the regime. The song speaks to a greater theme of how such regimes trap their citizens in a cycle of oppression and exploitation.


Line by Line Meaning

They scorched the earth; they petrified the forest - painted windows black.
They destroyed everything in their path, burning the earth and turning the forest into stone. They also made it impossible to see out of any windows by covering them in black paint.


Pumped cyanide in rivers, roamed around in packs ; screamed "STAND, DELIVER!"
They polluted the rivers with deadly cyanide, traveled in groups and demanded that people hand over their belongings with aggressive shouting.


they always took it all. Resistance cracked, we'd hide, but sure they'd find us curled up on the floorboards of our shack.
They constantly took everything they wanted, and any attempts at resisting or hiding were futile as they always found and punished the opposition, leaving them hiding in fear on the floorboards of their humble abode.


Five on the blacklist! Five on the blacklist! We were bubbling under, now we're in there, with a bullet (through the brain)
Five individuals have been added to the oppressive group's blacklist, and their fates are sealed with the threat of being killed (shot through the brain) for their opposition, despite previously being simply under the radar.


Frightened on the floorboards of our shack, quite naked, once we'd fight them - now we take it all.
Shivering in fear on the floorboards of their shack, the opposition is now powerless and stripped of defense. Once they fought back, but now they succumb to this oppressiveness and take whatever is taken from them.


They have our names, they have our numbers. the print-out says we take it all again and again untill we pay...
The oppressive group has acquired the personal information of the opposition, and they are aware of everything taken from them. Until their debts are paid, the opposition will continuously give up all they have without question.


FIVE ! Five on the blacklist! FOUR! Five on the blacklist! THREE! Five on the blacklist! TWO! Five on the blacklist! ONE ! Five on the blacklist!
Reiterating the addition of five individuals to the blacklist in a countdown, further emphasizing their imminent demise at the hands of the oppressive group.




Contributed by Chloe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Leo F Van Rossen

The entire Golden Age album is Outstanding✨🙏✨

Russ Pluss

I basically grew up on the black bible compilation! It's good to see others who haven't forgotten as well!

Rick Smith

check out the "elephant table" album

Veronika Sjinkarenko

this song is also on the old "black bible" compilation. if i remember correctly, its a cleopatra release. quadruple "best of gothic music" type of deal. when i worked for nintendo, i used to listen to LPD while playing with the kids ;)

ThePaleQueen Kitty

I love that compilation!!! I had it when I was in the Air FOrce and it was and is a great introduction to good music!!!

Joe Strummer

I also have that compilation. Borrowed it from my older brother and never gave it back when i was in high school haha

Rick Smith

check out the "Elephant table album"

Fixerkitty

Thanks for posting this song. I've been looking for it for ages and couldn't remember the name, then I stumbled across your clip.

Rick Smith

Saw them in Burlington Vermont USA in the early 80's EPIC !


met edward and crew / EPIC x 5 million

Ophélia Harrison

🖤🖤🖤

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