War
Tones on Tail Lyrics


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You're given two sets of clues
With the answers all the same
And a two-speed crossword
Called 'love in the suds'
Your bullet holes are screaming
Wearing shoes you should be seen in
With a brave knife and fork
We're all set to go flying
Comes trouble - here comes trouble (2x)
Wow

Your thought for the weeks
In the river, river, river
Feels something like a crow
Flying round with the planes
And the fish down under
Coming up with rust inside
And your summer days were spent
Collecting soap opera stories
Comes trouble - here comes trouble (2x)
Wow

Saved by the music makers
Speed boat to freedom
With the beautiful people
Bullet holes in your head
But you're running out of time
And you're running out of freedom
Now the animal crackers
All set to go flying
Comes trouble - here comes trouble (2x)





Here comes trouble - comes trouble (6x)
Here comes trouble

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tones on Tail's song "War" are somewhat enigmatic and open to interpretation. They seem to talk about various themes including love, violence, and freedom. The song begins with a metaphor about a crossword puzzle that has two sets of clues with the same answers. This seems to suggest that the answer to life's mysteries is not always clear-cut and may have multiple interpretations. The next line about "love in the suds" is somewhat cryptic, but may refer to love being something that is difficult to define and often intertwined with other emotions and experiences.


The next two lines are particularly striking: "Your bullet holes are screaming / Wearing shoes you should be seen in." Here the theme of violence emerges, with the image of bullet holes suggesting that someone has been shot, and the unusual juxtaposition of this image with the idea of someone wearing fashionable shoes creates a sense of dissonance. The lines that follow suggest a desire to fly or escape from trouble, but trouble seems to be always on the horizon.


The second verse continues with the theme of flight and freedom, but this time the imagery is more concrete: fish swimming under the surface of a river, airplanes flying overhead, and rust that has collected inside something. The lines about collecting soap opera stories are particularly intriguing, as they suggest a fascination with drama and storytelling. The final lines of the verse repeat the refrain "Comes trouble - here comes trouble," building a sense of tension and uncertainty.


The final verse of the song introduces more concrete images of violence and danger: "Bullet holes in your head / But you're running out of time / And you're running out of freedom." The lines that follow suggest a need to cling to beauty and connection in the face of adversity, even as the world seems to be falling apart. The final lines of the song repeat the refrain "Here comes trouble" six times, creating a sense of urgency and impending doom.


Overall, "War" is a song that explores the tension between violence and freedom, beauty and danger, and the desire to find meaning in a world that can often seem chaotic and arbitrary.


Line by Line Meaning

You're given two sets of clues
You're in a confusing situation where you have multiple, conflicting pieces of information.


With the answers all the same
Despite the confusion, all the solutions lead to the same outcome.


And a two-speed crossword
The situation you're in is complex and difficult to navigate, like a challenging crossword puzzle.


Called 'love in the suds'
The situation is related to a romantic entanglement or emotional turmoil.


Your bullet holes are screaming
You've been hurt and the pain is overwhelming.


Wearing shoes you should be seen in
You're trying to make a good impression, even though your situation is difficult.


With a brave knife and fork
You're facing your challenges head-on and are prepared to fight for what you want.


We're all set to go flying
You're ready to take on the world and succeed.


Comes trouble - here comes trouble (2x)
Despite your best efforts, there are still obstacles in your path and you're about to face more difficulties.


Your thought for the weeks
You've been preoccupied with a specific idea or theme for some time.


In the river, river, river
This idea has been consuming you and you can't shake it.


Feels something like a crow
This idea is dark and unsettling, like a crow, a bird often associated with death.


Flying round with the planes
Your thoughts are turbulent and hard to control, like an out-of-control airplane.


And the fish down under
Beneath the surface, there are hidden depths to your thoughts and feelings.


Coming up with rust inside
Despite appearances, there are elements of decay and disrepair lurking within you.


And your summer days were spent
You've been wasting time and energy on frivolous pursuits instead of focusing on what's important.


Collecting soap opera stories
You've been caught up in drama and gossip, distracting you from your true goals.


Saved by the music makers
Music has saved you from despair and given you hope.


Speed boat to freedom
You're making a break for it and trying to escape your troubles quickly.


With the beautiful people
You're seeking out companionship and support from those who are like-minded and positive.


Bullet holes in your head
You're still hurting and feeling the aftermath of past traumas.


But you're running out of time
You know that your time is limited and feel a sense of urgency to fix your problems.


And you're running out of freedom
Your options are becoming more limited and you feel trapped.


Now the animal crackers
You're indulging in something childish and escapist to distract yourself from reality.


All set to go flying
Despite your troubles, you're still hopeful and excited about the future.


Comes trouble - here comes trouble (2x)
Despite your optimism, you know that more challenges are coming your way.


Here comes trouble - comes trouble (6x)
Your troubles are persistent and always lurking around the corner, ready to strike again.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL GASTON ASH, GLENN DEREK CAMPLING, KEVIN HASKINS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Ricardo - Fotografía -

Some of the best music ever done in the 80´s. less dark and creepy than Bauhaus, still more inventive. No way to bore with this.

THE whomby

Remember Tones on Tail performing this live back in the eighties. . .astounding!!!

Jordan Rubin

I love this song, I like Tones on Tail a lot more than Love and Rockets. I think it's called "War" to lampshade the fact that the bassline is very similar to "Lowrider" xD 

Dude Man

Yeah it's basically way more on par than love and rockers is with a lot of Bauhaus albums. I honestly feel like love and rockets was just meh compared to Bauhaus, and I tried really hard to like it. T.O.T was so much closer to that glorious combo Bauhaus had of being unique and engaging, much more than Love and Rockets, by FAR. I still don't think this album is as good as anything Bauhaus did but it's a solid spiritual successor at least.

cut

yep!~

Roy Farris

It is a toss up.

svoboda simon

sure bauhaus were the ones. but these were less average 80s music as Lov and Rockets. still listenable.................

Lou Maverick

Love some Tones on Tail.

Brian Barcelo

Excellent

Cathy Callet

Agree with it...

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