Bring It Down
The Showdown Lyrics


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And if it ever was a failure, control, collapse
And let the whole thing start again
Build the machine, give it guns, give it wings
It's a homemade, homegrown, blind doomsday

Empire colonize into the teeth, society subdues
You will bow, you will beg
Or stand and face your ruin
Loner, free man, wanderer and thief
We have no use for you
The cult of greater good won't abide disbelief
So get back on the grid
Got our eyes on you

An individual? A faulty gear
We will grind you down to size
You will play our game or you will die in vain
No martyr's death, you will quietly die

Bring it down, tear this tower down
Bring it down, oh down

Reject the life that's made for you
Protect what's in your heart
Live free and disobedient
Respect only to God

Bring it down, tear this tower down
Bring it down, oh down
Tear the tower down

Our anthem, our prayer
Our call to men of will
Abide not one injustice
Strike down what makes us ill
Become the change and catalyze
Breathe revolution's air




Become the key and take it back
This world was never theirs

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Showdown's song Bring It Down speak to the resolute call to revolution and the need for change in society. The opening verse of the song suggests that if a current form of societal control fails, it should be allowed to collapse and the system can start anew. The following verses describe a society that controls its citizens and demands conformity, asking them to "bow" and "beg" or face ruin. The chorus of the song then urges listeners to "Bring it down, tear this tower down" and reject the life that has been prescribed for them.


The lyrics suggest a need for individuals to protect what's in their heart and be free and disobedient. The song implores people to respect only God and reject the cult of greater good. The last verse of the song portrays a vision of hope, calling individuals to become the change and catalyze revolution, striking down what makes us ill and taking back what was never theirs.


Overall, the lyrics of Bring It Down are a powerful call to action, urging individuals to reject societal control and demand change. The song encourages rebellion against conformity, offering a vision of hope for a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

And if it ever was a failure, control, collapse
If the system fails, let it fall apart and start anew


And let the whole thing start again
Begin again completely


Build the machine, give it guns, give it wings
Create a powerful and unstoppable entity


It's a homemade, homegrown, blind doomsday
It may be unexpected, but it will be devastating


Empire colonize into the teeth, society subdues
The dominant power structure oppresses the masses


You will bow, you will beg
Comply or suffer the consequences


Or stand and face your ruin
Resist and be destroyed


Loner, free man, wanderer and thief
Those who do not conform to the norm


We have no use for you
Nonconformists are not valued in this society


The cult of greater good won't abide disbelief
Dissent and disbelief will not be tolerated by those in power


So get back on the grid
Conform and be a part of the system


Got our eyes on you
Nonconformists are subject to scrutiny and surveillance


An individual? A faulty gear
Individuality is seen as a defect in the system


We will grind you down to size
Nonconformists will be forced to conform or be destroyed


You will play our game or you will die in vain
Comply or suffer a meaningless death


No martyr's death, you will quietly die
There is no heroic death for those who resist


Bring it down, tear this tower down
Overthrow the system


Reject the life that's made for you
Reject the prescribed way of life


Protect what's in your heart
Preserve your individuality and what matters to you


Live free and disobedient
Live outside of societal norms


Respect only to God
Remove power from systems and submit only to a higher power


Our anthem, our prayer
This song is a call to action and defiance


Our call to men of will
This is a call to those who have the strength to resist


Abide not one injustice
Do not tolerate any form of oppression or injustice


Strike down what makes us ill
Overthrow societal structures that make us suffer


Become the change and catalyze
Be the instigator of the revolution


Breathe revolution's air
Embrace and be part of the revolution


Become the key and take it back
Be the one to take back control from those in power


This world was never theirs
Those in power are not entitled to it and must be overthrown




Contributed by Leah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@user-ip9yu7lp1q

She cried to the southern wind
About a love that was sure to end
Every dream in her heart was gone
Headin for a showdown

Bad dreamer, what's your name
Looks like were ridin on the same train
Looks as through therell be more pain
There's gonna be a showdown

And it's rainin all over the world
Tonight, the longest night

She came to me like a friend
She blew in on a southern wind
Now my heart is turned to stone again
There's gonna be a showdown

Save me, oh save me
Its unreal, the suffering
There's gonna be a showdown



@DamienMcGuinness

[Verse 1]
She cried to the southern wind
'Bout a love that was sure to end
Every dream in her heart was gone
Headin' for a showdown
Bad dreamer, what's your name?
Looks like we're ridin' on the same train
Looks as though there'll be more pain
There's gonna be a showdown

[Chorus]
And it's rainin' all over the world
It's rainin' all over the world
Tonight, the longest night

[Verse 2]
She came to me like a friend
She blew in on a southern wind
Now my heart is turned to stone again
There's gonna be a showdown
Save me
Oh, save me
It's unreal, the suffering
There's gonna be a showdown

[Chorus]
And it's rainin' all over the world
Rainin' all over the world
Tonight, the longest night

[Bridge]
(Rainin', rainin')
(Rainin', rainin')

[Chorus]
Rainin' all over the world
Rainin' all over the world
The longest night

[Chorus]
And it's rainin' all over the world
Rainin' all over the world
Tonight, the longest night

[Outro]
You gotta save me, girl
When I'm ready for savin'
I'm a fool for you
You know I need you, child
Come on and save me
Can't you feel what you're doin' to me now?
I'm on the run again
Gotta save your soul



@Cerph

She cried to the Southern wind
'Bout a love that was sure to end
Every dream in her heart was gone
Headin' for a showdown

Bad dreamer, what's yer name?
Looks like we're ridin' on the same train
Looks as though there'll be more pain
There's gonna' be a showdown

And it's rainin', all over the world
Rainin', all over the world
Tonight, the longest night

She came to me like a friend
She blew in on the Southern wind
Now my heart is turned to stone again
There's gonna' be a showdown

Save me, save me
It's unreal, the suffering
There's gonna' be a showdown

And it's rainin', all over the world
Rainin', all over the world
Tonight, the longest night

(instrumental)

Rainin', rainin'
Rainin', rainin'

Rainin', all over the world
Rainin', all over the world
The longest night

And it's rainin', all over the world
Rainin', all over the world
Tonight, the longest night

Ya' gotta' save me, girl
When, I'm ready to save
I'm a fool f' you
You know I need ya' child
Come on and ... save me

Can't ya' feel whatcha' doin' t' me now?
I'm on the run again
Ya' gotta' save me so



All comments from YouTube:

@dougpool4730

As a kid in the '70's I didn't really care for ELO. Now having rediscovered them at 58 years old I'm like "what the hell was I thinking". Amazingly beautiful. 👍👍👍

@davidfsikkema1416

I get it Doug, at 74, I enjoy music I didn't care for a few decades or so ago. Our musical tastes can change as well as our preferences in food . . . and women :-)

@davidfsikkema1416

P.S. Also discover The Traveling Wilburys if you haven't already, Jeff is there too.

@rondeneef

them just good D

@laneflinn2450

@David F Sikkema Wikburys were the best so much fun

@bigdgz1965

Same here. They're awesome.

42 More Replies...

@matthew-Williams

Been a fan of ELO since I was a kid, great band and Jeff has the kind of voice you just cant miss.

@video-tourist

Me too! ELO is the best!

@kesotone

Buscemi n Goodman

@andymatthews7617

JUST SUPERB, no band in the last 25 years has come close.

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