Dissidents
Thomas Dolby Lyrics


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One more young writer slid away in the night
Over the border he will drown in light
Hold it, wait a minute
I can't read my writing, my own writing!
Like tiny insects in the palm of history
A domino effect in a cloud of mystery
My writing is an iron fist
In a glove full of Vaseline
Dip the fuse in the kerosene
I too become a dissident

Courting disaster we ran in the night
Wings of an angel torn in flight
Check it, verify it
It's all here in writing, down in writing!
At the hands of the press
And in the eyes of the government
I fell from grace
I too became a dissident
Like tiny insects in the palm of history
A domino effect and an early end to this story
My writing is an iron fist in a glove full of vaseline




But dip the fuse in the kerosene
I too become a dissident

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Thomas Dolby's Dissidents speak about the struggles and the oppression of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The song is told from the perspective of someone who is living in a communist society and is expressing his dissent towards the government. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of life under communism, where people are forced to flee from their own country to avoid persecution.


The opening lines depict a young writer who is escaping the country under the cover of darkness. He is hoping to start a new life where he can freely express his thoughts and ideas. However, even after he has escaped, he is haunted by the reality of the situation. The writer's story is just one of many, as there are "tiny insects in the palm of history" - individuals who are trying to make a difference but are ultimately powerless against the oppressive regime. The writer's story is just another "domino effect" in the long line of people who have been silenced by the government.


The writing of the dissidents is compared to an "iron fist in a glove full of vaseline". The writer's words are powerful and forceful, but the government attempts to suppress them by masking them in a layer of bureaucracy and censorship. The final lines of the song offer some semblance of hope, as even if the writers' words are censored, they can still cause an explosion. The writers feel that if they "dip the fuse in the kerosene" and become dissidents, then they can still make a difference.


Line by Line Meaning

One more young writer slid away in the night
Yet another aspiring writer fled during the night


Over the border he will drown in light
He crossed the border to start a new life but will be caught and subject to punishment under the spotlight


Hold it - wait a minute
Wait a second


I can't read my writing, my own writing!
I can't decipher my own handwriting


Like tiny insects in the palm of history
We are insignificant to the grand scheme of things


A domino effect in a cloud of mystery
Unexpected events unfolding in secrecy


My writing is an iron fist
My words are powerful and strict


In a glove full of vaseline
But they are softened by lubrication


Dip the fuse in the kerosene
Let's make things more volatile


I too become a dissident
I also become an opponent of established authority


Courting disaster we ran in the night
We took great risks, running in the dark


Wings of an angel torn in flight
Our innocent hopes and aspirations got shattered abruptly


Check it - verify it
Double-check it


It's all here in writing, down in writing!
I have documented evidence to support my claims


At the hands of the press
Under media scrutiny


And in the eyes of the government
Also, as viewed by the authorities


I fell from grace
I lost my reputation and appeal


Like tiny insects in the palm of history
We are still minuscule in the vast realm of history


A domino effect and an early end to this story
The aftermath of a series of events, signifying a premature ending to the story


My writing is an iron fist in a glove full of vaseline
I use strong words despite their being softened by tact


But dip the fuse in the kerosene
But let's light things up and be daring.


I too become a dissident.
I too challenge authority, becoming a dissident.




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kevin Alexander Armstrong, Matthew Thomas Arthur Seligman, Thomas Morgan Dolby Robertson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@stevesilverstone1015

I can't believe that there are only 63 comments, 64 now.
For this album!! This is a brilliant brilliant album, I couldn't stop listening to it for years. One of the best albums from the 80's.

@todedo

I could not agree more, Flat Earth is pure PURE genious. There's not a bad track, they're all creative, different, exciting, stunning in every aspect of music creation. And so entertaining. Love, LOVE this album till the day I die.

@wadexyz

@@todedo Well, Mulu The Rain Forest is pretty bad. I always skip that one.

@thesuncollective1475

65

@kennethbryant7480

Thomas Dolby made synthpop an art. It is not an accident I keep going back to this brilliant music. A genius!

@rustybearden1800

I've been a Thomas Dolby fan since the very beginning and I always grimace when people comment "oh, the Blinded Me With Science guy!" Ugh. The man is so much more. Third world adventurer explorer ambience mixed with jazz, funk and sci fi kitsch and a dash of rocket science. Very difficult to explain his genius - you either get it or you don't. Was lucky enough to see him in concert back in 1984 in Dallas TX during the Flat Earth Tour - one of the great live concerts I've ever seen. Love me some Thomas Dolby. NEVER get tired of listening to his work.

@patriciakelly3612

@Rusty, FUCK ME HE ACTUALLY CALLED THE TOUR THE FLAT EARTH TOUR!!! NICE...MAN

@rustybearden1800

@@patriciakelly3612 uh, yeah, it was the name of his album at the time

@xxczerxx

I wonder do some artists hate having one major single? To be a "one hit wonder" as a true artist is actually an incredible feat.

It reminds me of DEVO. Most people think they're a novelty band that just made "Whip It!" despite the fact they were one of the most intelligent, sophisticated bands ever

@wadexyz

I don't think he grimaces though, because that paid his bills : )

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