Warhead
U.K. Subs Lyrics


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Soldiers of Islem are loading their guns
They're getting ready
but the Russian tanks are mowing them down
They're getting ready
There's children in Africa with tommy guns
Getting ready
While the Islam armies are beckoning on
They're getting ready

[Chorus]
There's a burning sun
And it sets in the western world
But it rises in the east
And pretty soon
It's gonna burn your temples down

While the heads of state are having their fun
Are they ready?
We're looking at the world through the barrel of a gun
Are we ready?
And you stand there beating on your little war drum
Are you ready?
And it won't be long before your time has come
Are you ready?

[Chorus: x2]

Warhead, warhead, warhead
Warhead, warhead, warhead
Warhead, warhead, warhead
Warhead, warhead, warhead

Well I don't know what it is but i feel something coming
Stuck in the middle of the Yankees and the Russians
Better get moving guns are getting loaded
Fast to the border where the tanks are a rolling
There's a nation in fear another nation crying




One nation killing and another nation dying
Talk about guns and escalation bye bye planet let alone a nation

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to U.K. Subs's song "Warhead" paint a bleak picture of the world, with various conflicts and wars taking place across the globe. The first verse refers to soldiers in the Middle East loading their guns, only to be mowed down by Russian tanks. Meanwhile, in Africa, children are arming themselves with tommy guns, while Islamic armies beckon on. These scenes demonstrate the futility of war and that fighting only leads to more fighting.


The chorus highlights the cyclical nature of violence and the inevitability of retribution. The burning sun represents the violent actions that have been taken, and it sets in the western world, but rises in the east, suggesting that violence begets violence. The line "pretty soon it's gonna burn your temples down" is a warning that the violence will eventually catch up to those who initiated it.


The final verse is a call for action, as the singer feels that something dangerous is coming. The Yankees and Russians are referred to, likely representing the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The line "talk about guns and escalation bye bye planet let alone a nation" is a warning that war could lead to catastrophic consequences, including global destruction.


Overall, "Warhead" is a powerful protest song against war and violence, with lyrics that are just as relevant today as they were when the song was released in 1979.


Line by Line Meaning

Soldiers of Islem are loading their guns
Islamic soldier are preparing their weapons for war


They're getting ready
The soldiers are preparing for the upcoming battle


But the Russian tanks are mowing them down
The Islamic soldiers are being killed by Russian tanks


There's children in Africa with tommy guns
Children in Africa are armed with submachine guns


Getting ready
The children are preparing for war


While the Islam armies are beckoning on
The Islamic armies are calling for more soldiers to join the fight


[Chorus]
The sun sets in the west, but rises in the east. Soon, it will burn down temples


While the heads of state are having their fun
The political leaders are enjoying their power


Are they ready?
Are the political leaders prepared for the consequences of their actions?


We're looking at the world through the barrel of a gun
We are viewing the world as a constant battlefield


Are we ready?
Are we ready for the wars we start?


And you stand there beating on your little war drum
People often provoke conflicts and stir up trouble for their own benefit


And it won't be long before your time has come
The consequences of provoking war will soon catch up to you


[Chorus: x2]
The sun will soon burn down the temples of the world


Warhead, warhead, warhead
The destructive power of warheads and missiles


Well I don't know what it is but i feel something coming
The sense that something disastrous is on the horizon


Stuck in the middle of the Yankees and the Russians
Being caught in the middle of a conflict between superpowers


Better get moving guns are getting loaded
The weapons are being prepared for use in battle


Fast to the border where the tanks are a rolling
Heading quickly to the front lines where tanks are already in motion


There's a nation in fear another nation crying
One nation is fearful of the conflict while another is suffering from it


One nation killing and another nation dying
In war, there is often a cycle of aggression and retaliation leading to losses on both sides


Talk about guns and escalation bye bye planet let alone a nation
If we continue to rely on weapons and escalate conflicts, we may ultimately destroy our planet




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: CHARLES HARPER, PAUL MARTIN SLACK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@crisdbs480

This song is as relevant now as when it was written. Ace tune too

@victor75208

Especially now with putin having the Russian missles on high alert 😐

@edwardsaunders5634

Even more so now

@uwu_smeg

was just boutta say this

@oakashthorn5714

@edward saunders We’re close now.💥

@billyteflon1322

The beat is very good. I've been sharing this quite a bit. You are right that things are building up. I don't see a nuclear slap fight happening, and, that will be worse case.

3 More Replies...

@swanley1965

one of the most underated and under appreciated bands ever . i loved them back then and still love em now

@josephtreacy3181

Wonderful bass riff.One of the best ever.

@declancarolan4116

Love this song,all these years later,it still sounds unpolished

@wrongwayguy

I miss the days too, I'm a 27 year veteran of punk in my 40's now. I go to shows now and I usually sit back and watch the bands play and leave the pits to the younger generation most of the time now. It sucks being old, but at the same time I'm loving it.

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