Detonation Boulevard
The Sisters of Mercy Lyrics


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On Detonation Boulevard...
Through the angel rain
Through the dust and the gasolene
Through the cruelty of strangers
To the neon dream
Long distance information
Just tell me where the manholes steam
A little girl waits on my station
With a new machine
On Detonation Boulevard...
I got wrecked out here
In a Eldorado
I got wired, white-walled
This hot-wired sedan
I caught something weird in Encenada
I've a brother of sorts in Torquemada
Long distance information
Disconnect me if you can
On Detonation Boulevard...
Pink noise, white noise,
And a violet whining sound
It burns inside this car
No cops, no signs, no left, no right
No stops, no turning round
Well you can run but you can't ride
You won't get far
On Detonation Boulevard..
Bang Bang

On Detonation Boulevard...
Through the angle rain
Through the rust and the gasolene
Through the cruelty of strangers
To the neon dream
Long distance information
I'll take the same
I got the fuel for the transformation
I'm a naked flame




On Detonation Boulevard...
Bang Bang

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Sisters of Mercy's song Detonation Boulevard create a vividly descriptive image of a journey through a dangerous and chaotic urban landscape. The first verse sets the scene with references to "angel rain", a potentially toxic mix of chemicals falling from the sky, and the "cruelty of strangers" that suggests hostile encounters with other people. The location is also made clear through the mention of "manholes steam" and neon lights, suggesting an industrial and commercial district. The singer of the song is racing through this environment in a hot-wired car, perhaps evading authorities or pursuing some dangerous goal. The pink noise, white noise, and violet whining that fill the car suggest intense sensory overload, and the lack of signs or a clear path forward adds to the sense of disorientation and dislocation.


The second verse introduces more characters to the narrative - a little girl waiting on a station with a new machine, and a brother of sorts in Torquemada. These figures are left mostly unexplained, but they add to the impression that the singer is part of a network of people with secretive and possibly illicit activities. The repetition of the long distance information line suggests a desperate need for help or guidance, but also an awareness that communication channels are potentially compromised. The chorus, with its insistent bang bang refrain, reinforces the sense of danger and violence that pervades the song.


Line by Line Meaning

On Detonation Boulevard...
The singer is introducing the setting and atmosphere of the song, which is a place called Detonation Boulevard.


Through the angel rain
The singer is experiencing a heavy rain which could be considered a cleansing or purging effect, much like it is being blessed by angels.


Through the dust and the gasolene
The singer is traveling through an environment with a lot of pollution and smog.


Through the cruelty of strangers
The artist is encountering people that are unkind or unfriendly towards them.


To the neon dream
The artist is heading towards a place with a lot of bright lights and energy, which could be interpreted as the goal or destination of their journey.


Long distance information
The singer is requesting information from a telephone operator or directory assistance.


Just tell me where the manholes steam
The singer is asking for directions about where to go or what landmarks to look for to find their destination, specifically requesting to know where manholes steam as a point of reference.


A little girl waits on my station
The artist sees a small child waiting for them at their destination, which could indicate a connection or reason for their journey.


With a new machine
The little girl has a new device or gadget that is unfamiliar to the artist.


On Detonation Boulevard...
The artist is returning to the chorus and the description of the setting and atmosphere.


I got wrecked out here
The singer experienced some kind of accident or mishap while on this street.


In a Eldorado
The artist was driving a specific type of car, a Cadillac Eldorado.


I got wired, white-walled
The singer's car has been modified with white wall tires and special electrical wiring.


This hot-wired sedan
The singer's car has been stolen or illegally wired to start without a key.


I caught something weird in Encenada
The singer is referring to an encounter or experience they had in Ensenada, a city in Baja California, which they found to be strange or unexpected.


I've a brother of sorts in Torquemada
The artist has a figurative brother, someone they are connected to or have a bond with, in Torquemada, a town in Spain.


Long distance information
The artist is requesting more information from a telephone operator or directory assistance.


Disconnect me if you can
The singer is feeling overwhelmed or stressed and is requesting for the phone operator to hang up on them if they cannot help.


On Detonation Boulevard...
The singer is returning to the chorus and the description of the setting and atmosphere.


Pink noise, white noise,
The artist hears different types of static or background noise, such as pink and white noise.


And a violet whining sound
The artist hears a specific sound which is described as being purple or violet in nature, which could be associated with a feeling of tension or anxiety.


It burns inside this car
The artist is experiencing an intense or unpleasant sensation inside their vehicle.


No cops, no signs, no left, no right
There are no law enforcement officers, street signs or directional instructions on this stretch of road.


No stops, no turning round
The driver is not stopping or turning around, despite any indications that this might be a bad idea.


Well you can run but you can't ride
The singer is suggesting that their car is going so fast and furiously that other people cannot keep up with them if they try to chase or follow.


You won't get far
Despite the singer's urgency and speed, they are implying that ultimately their journey will not take them very far, at least not in a traditional sense.


On Detonation Boulevard..
The singer is returning to the chorus and the description of the setting and atmosphere.


Bang Bang
The song ends with the repetition of the phrase 'Bang Bang,' suggesting some kind of ending or culmination of events.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREAS BRUHN, ANDREW TAYLOR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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