The video, showing the downfall of a peacefull society, also briefly samples Ludwig van Beethoven his 6th Sympony in F major, as recorded by the Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia. (It is heard the last minutes of the first movement, Allegro ma non troppo, ironically called 'Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside')
Eye for an Eye
UNKLE Lyrics
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There were angels carrying savage weapons
An eye for an eye (for an eye)
A tooth for a tooth (for a tooth)
Run, run, run,
But you sure can't hide (hide, hide)
An eye for an eye (for an eye)
A tooth for a tooth (for a tooth)
Run, run, run,
But you sure can't hide (hide, hide)
Is that room been fit to earth?
Doesn't help the to grow sunshine?
Is this darkness all you'll take?
Have you'd passed through this life?
Run, run, run, but you sure can't hide (hide, hide)
Where you're going you're not coming back from
Run, run, run, but you sure can't hide (hide, hide)
An eye for an eye (for an eye)
A tooth for a tooth (for a tooth)
Run, run, run,
But you sure can't hide (hide, hide)
An eye for an eye (for an eye)
A tooth for a tooth (for a tooth)
Run, run, run,
But you sure can't hide (hide, hide)
This grain evil
Where is it come from?
Had it still the end of the world?
Who's doing this?
Who's killed us?
Marking us with the sign of the holy mighty man
Run, run, run (run, run)
Run, run, run (run, run)
An eye for an eye (for an eye)
A tooth for a tooth (for a tooth)
Run, run, run, but you sure can't hide (hide, hide)
An eye for an eye (for an eye)
A tooth for a tooth (for a tooth)
Run, run, run,
But you sure can't hide (hide, hide)
(An eye for an eye)
Are you righteous?
(A tooth for a tooth)
Kind?
(Run, run, run but you sure can't hide)
Do you come for ?
(An eye for an eye)
Are you loved by heart?
(A tooth for a tooth)
Do you imagine your suffers will be last?
(Run, run, run, but you sure can't hide)
Because you loved to be truth
An eye for an eye,
A tooth for a tooth,
Run, run, run, but you sure can't hide,
Run, run, run, but you sure can't hide (hide,hide)
What are you to me?
The lyrics of UNKLE's song 'Eye for an Eye' seem to describe a violent and brutal world that is devoid of love and hope. The lyrics describe a world where even the supposed angels in heaven wield savage weapons, indicating that violence seems to be the norm even in places where it shouldn't exist. The phrases "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" convey the idea of revenge and retaliation, indicating a vicious cycle of violence that is difficult to break free from.
The chorus of the song, "Run, run, run, but you sure can't hide" seems to suggest that there's no escape from this dark and violent world. The lines, "Where you're going you're not coming back from" and "Who's killed us?" depict death and destruction that is caused by either the actions of humans or an unknown force. The lyrics also highlight the question of what we are to each other and to the world - Are we righteous, kind, loved, or just consumed by the desire to seek truth?
Overall, the lyrics of 'Eye for an Eye' paint a bleak picture of a world consumed by violence, where there's no hope for redemption or salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
Even now in heaven
There were angels carrying savage weapons
Even in the afterlife, violence and aggression exist as shown by heavenly beings wielding dangerous weapons.
An eye for an eye (for an eye)
A tooth for a tooth (for a tooth)
Retaliation in kind is expected if one has been wronged, a desire for justice.
Run, run, run,
But you sure can't hide (hide, hide)
One may try to escape, but ultimately it is impossible to avoid the consequences of one's actions.
Is that room been fit to earth?
Doesn't help the to grow sunshine?
Is this darkness all you'll take?
Have you'd passed through this life?
Questions about the purpose of life, whether one is living fully or just surviving, and what legacy will be left behind.
Where you're going you're not coming back from
The consequences of one's actions may be permanent and irreversible.
This grain evil
Where is it come from?
Had it still the end of the world?
Who's doing this?
Who's killed us?
Marking us with the sign of the holy mighty man
A sense of despair and questioning of the origins of evil and its effects on humanity, along with a belief that those responsible will be held accountable.
Are you righteous?
Kind?
Do you come for ?
Are you loved by heart?
Do you imagine your suffers will be last?
Because you loved to be truth
A challenge to the listener to examine their own values and actions, questioning if they are living honestly and with integrity.
What are you to me?
A final question posed to the listener that is open to interpretation, leaving the true meaning up for debate.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTONY GENN, BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidkline4372
What?? UNKLE is a really dystopian style of music. All of their songs, on this album especially, are dark.
"Even now in heaven they're are angels caring savage weapons..."
"Who's doing this?
Who's killing us
... Mocking us with the sight of what we might have known?"
"What are you to me?"
You were confused?
@thriversoffset
saw this late at night on MTV back in the days. Never been same person again after that. UNKLE defined me as a person. This video is unbelievable. I was pretty young back then 12 or13.
@Sternertime
Just remembered that this song exists after many years. Thank you subconscious.
@augustuscolumbano
Same here. Out of the blue, for like the past 10 years or so, I would randomly whisper the chorus of this song.
@chateaupig826
Same , heard it on some majorly minor student radio station just today -shazammed it .
Didnt realize it was Unkle
@TFFgeek
Fun fact: the classic interlude at the beginning is the reversed tail of the first movement from Beethoven's 6th symphony, that bears the title 'Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside', which obviously mirrors the peaceful landscape we are about to see.
In the album version of this track, it is put the right way around.
@chateaupig826
Thankyou 👍
Love these backstories
@alyce1617
Wow had no idea
@TheRiverkayaker
a few quotes in this video from the movie "The thin red line" .I believe the quotes were from private Whitt. played by Jim Caviezel.
@jeffpaul5176
Finally! An HD version on YT! Been watching 480p on Vimeo for years.
@KenFehling
This video is so haunting