CCTV
The Levellers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hundreds watch you every night
You're starring in a film
every weekend
On video and stills
With all your friends
You're there in Black and White
Hundreds watch you every night
You can't hide
You cannot
Cos we can see you everywhere
You're great in every scene
You're very natural
It's as if you cannot see
the spotlight on you
But when you fluff a line
the director says
You're doing time
When you're walking home
In the evening after dark
Remember don't hide
And show your best side
Cos you're the star in a film
The Levellers's song CCTV is a commentary on the omnipresent watchful eye of closed-circuit television cameras in modern society. The song portrays millions of people going about their daily lives, unaware that they are being recorded on CCTV cameras. These people are unwitting extras in the film of their own lives, with their every move being watched by hundreds of people every night. The lyrics suggest that people are obsessed with recording and documenting their lives, with everyone striving to be the star in their own movie.
The lyrics also suggest that people are increasingly living in a panopticon, with the constant threat of being watched and judged by society. The camera is always watching, waiting for people to make a mistake or break the rules, ensuring that conformity is enforced. Despite this, the song encourages people to be themselves and show their best side, rather than hiding and conforming to societal expectations. It is as if the song is urging people to reclaim their autonomy, to be once again the masters of their own lives.
Overall, CCTV is a poignant commentary on the loss of privacy in modern society and the societal pressures to conform. The song seems to be urging people to be true to themselves, even in the face of constant surveillance and the threat of judgement.
Line by Line Meaning
Your there in black and white
You are visible to everyone, your actions are captured in monochrome
Hundreds watch you every night
Many people observe you daily; have an eye on your behavior
You're starring in a film every weekend
You are a part of a movie that is shot weekly, and you are the artist on the big screen
On video and stills, With all your friends
Your activities are documented in photos and videos, and you always have your companions around
You can't hide
It is not possible to conceal your actions
You cannot
There are no loopholes to avoid being captured
Cos we can see you everywhere
The surveillance is widespread, and you might be under observation always
You're great in every scene
You look amazing in every video, you are perfect in all pictures
You're very natural
The camera captures your unforced, genuine actions
It's as if you cannot see the spotlight on you
You are unaware of the attention you attract
But when you fluff a line the director says
In case you slip up or make a mistake, an authoritative figure like the director points it out
You're doing time
The consequences for your actions are severe
When you're walking home in the evening after dark
When you go back home following an uneventful day and it's very late outside
Remember don't hide
Do not try to conceal yourself under any circumstance
And show your best side
Instead, exhibit your most excellent qualities
Cos you're the star in a film
Because you have the leading role in a movie-like scenario
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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