It was started by frontman Wayne Hussey and Craig Adams (both of the Sisters), soon adding Mick Brown (of Red Lorry Yellow Lorry) and Simon Hinkler (of Artery/Pulp). Aside from Hussey, the line-up has changed several times during the years, and the band has been dusted up from a state of dormancy once or twice.
The backbone of the band's catalogue consists of seven main albums (Gods Own Medicine, Children, Carved in Sand, Masque, Neverland, Blue and Aura) with several complementing albums, compilations and other miscellaneous releases also in existence.
Wasteland
The Mission (U.K.) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I can see years to come
I live for the burn and the sting of pleasure
I live for the sword, the steel, and the gun
I can tear down the walls, storm them barricades
Run to the place where the frightened crawl
Desire lurks beyond good and evil
So dance on the graves where the hammer falls
[Chorus]
Over this land
All over this wasteland
Over this land
All over this wasteland
You can touch, but please keep your distance
You're innocent and pure and with no shame
The spirit is willing, and the flesh is great
Your teasing your torment with the pleasure of pain
[Chorus]
Heaven and Hell, I know them well
But I haven't yet made my choice
I'm feeling dead 'cause I'm shouting loud
And no one can hear my voice
Walking the tight wire, can't look down
Strung out high, above you all
Faithful wind blows through this land
Howls my name, Hell is my fall.
[Chorus]
The lyrics to The Mission UK's song Wasteland are open to interpretation, but one possible theme focuses on the singer’s obsession with the extreme experiences of pleasure and pain. Through the use of vivid imagery, the lyrics conjure up a dystopian landscape, thriving on violence and chaos. The crystal view represents knowledge and foresight that enable the singer to navigate through this bleak world, fueled by carnal desires. The lines, "Desire lurks beyond good and evil / So dance on the graves where the hammer falls," suggest that the singer is willing to transgress moral boundaries to satisfy these cravings.
The second stanza continues to explore the theme of temptation, this time highlighting the contrast between innocence and corruption. The singer acknowledges the potential danger of his/her advances, therefore urging the object of desire to keep a distance. However, the craving for pleasure is too strong to ignore, as seen in the lines, "Your teasing your torment with the pleasure of pain." The chorus then feels like an anthem, as if the singer is proclaiming his/her dominion over the wasteland, whereby the harsh environment becomes a space where pleasure and pain reign supreme.
The final stanza reads like a confessional, as the singer is struggling to reconcile the allure of the sinful indulgence with the awareness of the looming eternity. The lines, "Heaven and Hell, I know them well / But I haven't yet made my choice," suggest that the singer is undecided about which path to take. Despite the ambiguity, the final lines, "Faithful wind blows through this land / Howls my name, Hell is my fall," suggest that the singer might be on a path toward infernal retribution.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a crystal view from my window
I have a clear and perfect view from my window
And I can see years to come
I can foretell the future
I live for the burn and the sting of pleasure
I am addicted to the intense, thrilling sensation of pleasure
I live for the sword, the steel, and the gun
I am fascinated by weapons and violence
I can tear down the walls, storm them barricades
I am confident in my ability to overcome obstacles and challenges
Run to the place where the frightened crawl
I am not afraid to confront my fears or those of others
Desire lurks beyond good and evil
My desires are not constrained by traditional moral values
So dance on the graves where the hammer falls
I take pleasure in the destruction or downfall of others
Over this land
Across this territory
All over this wasteland
Throughout this desolate and barren place
You can touch, but please keep your distance
I desire contact, but am afraid of getting too close
You're innocent and pure and with no shame
You are naive and uncorrupted, with no sense of guilt or regret
The spirit is willing, and the flesh is great
I am motivated by both my spiritual and physical desires
Your teasing your torment with the pleasure of pain
You are deliberately causing yourself pain for the sake of pleasure
Heaven and Hell, I know them well
I am well-acquainted with both good and evil, pleasure and pain
But I haven't yet made my choice
I am still undecided on which path to take
I'm feeling dead 'cause I'm shouting loud
I feel as though my inner self is lifeless and muted despite my outward expression
And no one can hear my voice
Despite my efforts, no one is really listening
Walking the tight wire, can't look down
I am walking a difficult path and cannot afford to lose focus
Strung out high, above you all
I am operating at a higher level than most others
Faithful wind blows through this land
There is a force at work that is beyond my control or understanding
Howls my name, Hell is my fall.
I am aware of my fate and am prepared to face the consequences of my actions
Over this land
Across this territory
All over this wasteland
Throughout this desolate and barren place
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BILLY IDOL, MARK YOUNGER-SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@spiroskoufos4786
Timeless...
LYRICS :
I still believe in God
But God no longer believes in me
There's a crystal view from my window
And I can see years to come
I live for the burn and the sting of pleasure
I live for the sword, the steel, and the gun
I can tear down the walls, storm the barricades
Run to the place where the frightened crawl
Desire lurks beyond good and evil
So I dance on the graves where the hallowed fall
Over this land
All over this wasteland
Over this land
All over this wasteland
You can touch, but please keep your distance
You're innocent and pure and with no shame
The spirit is willing, and the flesh is craved
You tease and you taunt with the pleasure of pain
Over this land
All over this wasteland
Over this land
All over this wasteland
Heaven and Hell, I know them well
But I haven't yet made my choice
I'm feeling scared 'cause I'm shouting loud
And no one can hear my voice
I'm walking the tightwire, can't look down
Strung out high, above you all
Fateful wind blows through this land
Howls my name, heralds my fall
Over this land
All over this wasteland
Over this land
All over this wasteland (x2)
@miloscokic3667
There's a crystal view from my window
And I can see years to come
I live for the burn and the sting of pleasure
I live for the sword, the steel, and the gun
I can tear down the walls, storm them barricades
Run to the place where the frightened crawl
Desire lurks beyond good and evil
So dance on the graves where the hammer falls
Over this land
All over this wasteland
Over this land
All over this wasteland
You can touch, but please keep your distance
You're innocent and pure and with no shame
The spirit is willing, and the flesh is great
Your teasing your torment with the pleasure of pain
Heaven and Hell, I know them well…
@edu1lima
The Mission, The Cult, Jesus and Mary Chain, Sisters of Mercy, Heroes del Silencio... I'm so blessed that this bands (among others) are part of my life.
@robertoippoliti5748
Fields Of The Nephilim?
@vanishlite
The Bolshoi, listen to them
@betosuarezandrade7742
Héroes del silencio /%
@vintfull
Rosetta Stone
@hakonhelgesen7659
Bass player Craig Adams and guitar duo Gary Marx and Wayne Hussey, came from the Sisters of Mercy.
@gregwoodward4991
I followed the MISSION all over the UK In the late 80s ..
We where known to Wayne and the Band as the ESKIMOS.
FANTASTIC TIMES
FANTASTIC CONCERTS
@jamesgonzales5285
Born in the 60's, raised in the 70's, and a proud member of the 80's!!!
This Band speaks for me!!
@sue5488
Was 19 when I first heard these. I'm 54 and still love them as much now as I did back then.....
@nymike06
Same here.