Countdown
U.K. Subs Lyrics
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Are closing in
It's getting so hot
It's blistering my skin
Fires are burning
Out of control
Some day soon
This place is gonna go
4-3-2-1 - Countdown
More cops on the street
Every day
Somewhere in the distance
The sirens wail
Night time falling
On London again
And everybody's wondering
Where it's gonna end
4-3-2-1 - Countdown
The clocks are broken
They're burnt in the flame
But you can't stop the tide
Of an attitude of change
So long have we waited
To be caught in this trap
When the hands start moving
There'll be no turning back
4-3-2-1 - Countdown
The UK Sub's song "Countdown" paints a vivid picture of the growing unrest, tension, and chaos that are rapidly overtaking the streets of London. The lyricist describes how the city's streets are closing in and the heat is blistering their skin. The song paints a bleak picture of London as out-of-control fires are burning everywhere, and the city is on the verge of erupting. The countdown of the chorus suggests that time is running out, and the city is edging closer to destruction.
The song continues with a description of the growing police presence in London and the frequent sound of sirens wailing in the distance. The night is falling on London again, and the people are left wondering how all this will come to an end. The lyrics are clearly written from the perspective of someone who is in the midst of the chaos, unable to find any solutions, and questioning the future of the city.
The chorus "4-3-2-1 - Countdown" adds to the overall sense of urgency and tension, making it clear that the situation is escalating rapidly, and the city is nearing total collapse. The final verse seems to suggest that time is running out and that the only thing left to do is to let the inevitable happen. The clocks are broken, and the flames have destroyed everything; change is coming whether we want it to or not.
Line by Line Meaning
The streets of the city
The physical environment of the city is becoming more oppressive.
Are closing in
The oppressive feeling is increasing.
It's getting so hot
The environment of the city is becoming unbearable.
It's blistering my skin
The extreme heat is causing physical pain.
Fires are burning
There are literal fires burning in the city.
Out of control
The situation in the city is becoming chaotic and unmanageable.
Some day soon
The chaos in the city will reach a boiling point.
This place is gonna go
The chaos will result in a major event or upheaval.
4-3-2-1 - Countdown
The countdown represents the impending event or upheaval.
More cops on the street
The authorities are increasing their presence in response to the chaotic situation.
Every day
The situation is worsening rapidly and consistently.
Somewhere in the distance
The chaos is increasing across the city, not just in one area.
The sirens wail
The sirens of emergency vehicles can be heard throughout the city.
Night time falling
The sun sets, bringing darkness and uncertainty to the city.
On London again
The chaos is happening specifically in London.
And everybody's wondering
The people of the city are uncertain and afraid.
Where it's gonna end
No one knows how the situation will be resolved.
The clocks are broken
The normal systems and structures of society are breaking down.
They're burnt in the flame
The destruction and chaos has resulted in literal fire damage to infrastructure.
But you can't stop the tide
The societal changes and chaos cannot be halted or reversed.
Of an attitude of change
The causes of the chaos are related to societal change and upheaval.
So long have we waited
People have been unhappy with the way society is structured for a long time.
To be caught in this trap
Despite the warnings and anticipation of societal collapse, people have been unable to change the course of events.
When the hands start moving
When the countdown to societal collapse reaches its conclusion...
There'll be no turning back
There will be no way to reverse the course of events or stop the chaos from playing out.
Writer(s): Harper, Gibbs
Contributed by William P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.