This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Someday they won't let you, now you must agree
The times they are a-telling, and the changing isn't free
You've read it in the tea leaves, the tracks are on TV
Beware the savage jaw
Of 1984
They'll break your pretty cranium, and fill it full of air
And tell you that you're eighty, lover you won't care
You'll be shooting up as usual like tomorrow wasn't there
Beware the savage jaw
Of 1984
(Come see, come see, remember me?)
We played at an all-night movie role
You said it would last, but I guess we rolled
In 1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
Now we can talk in confidence
Did you guess that we've been done wrong?
Lies jump the queue to be first in line
Such a shameless design
He thinks he's well screened from the man at the top
It's a shame that his children disagree
They coolly decide to sell him down the line
Daddy's brainwashing time
He's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
He's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
She's doesn't recall her blessed childhood of yore
When a unit was a figure, not a she
When lovers chose each other seems the perks are due
Another memo to screw
She's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
She's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
Can you wipe your nose my child
Without them slotting in your file a photograph?
Will you sleep in fear tonight?
Wake to find the scorching light of neighbour Jim
He's come to turn you in
Another dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
Another dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
Another dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
Come see, come see, remember me?
We played at an all-night movie role
You said it would last, but I guess we enrolled
In 1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
(More)
1984 (more)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984 (more)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984 (more)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984, ooh!
The times they are a-telling, and the changing isn't free
You've read it in the tea leaves, the tracks are on TV
Beware the savage jaw
Of 1984
They'll break your pretty cranium, and fill it full of air
And tell you that you're eighty, lover you won't care
You'll be shooting up as usual like tomorrow wasn't there
Beware the savage jaw
Of 1984
(Come see, come see, remember me?)
We played at an all-night movie role
You said it would last, but I guess we rolled
In 1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
Now we can talk in confidence
Did you guess that we've been done wrong?
Lies jump the queue to be first in line
Such a shameless design
He thinks he's well screened from the man at the top
It's a shame that his children disagree
They coolly decide to sell him down the line
Daddy's brainwashing time
He's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
He's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
She's doesn't recall her blessed childhood of yore
When a unit was a figure, not a she
When lovers chose each other seems the perks are due
Another memo to screw
She's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
She's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
Can you wipe your nose my child
Without them slotting in your file a photograph?
Will you sleep in fear tonight?
Wake to find the scorching light of neighbour Jim
He's come to turn you in
Another dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
Another dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
Another dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me (didn't hear it from me)
Come see, come see, remember me?
We played at an all-night movie role
You said it would last, but I guess we enrolled
In 1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
(More)
1984 (more)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984 (more)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984 (more)
1984 (who could ask for more?)
1984, ooh!
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This is, of course, a medley of the two songs, 1984, and Dodo, a b-side of the album Diamond Dogs. To be honest, I think this medley is better than the other individual songs combined....literally! lol.
I agree. This song has such a lovely rhythm to it.... And both songs fit spectacularly. I wish that that 'planned 1984 musical' mentioned was actually made... I get the impression it would have been phenominal.
And is this song about... Parsons, was it? I can't remember if that was the right name... Been a while since I read the book. But yeah, Parsons was handed over to the thought police by his children for allegedly shouting 'Death to Big Brother!' in his sleep, or at least something to the effect. He is taken to Room 101 to be brainwashed into loving BB.
'Daddy's brainwashing time.'
However, the line about being 'well screened from the man at the top' confuses me slightly - is it suggesting that it's someone who thinks he can't be seen by BB and the Thought Police? If so, it'd be a different character...
Totally, Oni. A whole different character. I had to read 1984 before I understood the novel fully...like the film Labyrinth. I wish the musical would have been made as well, but as Bowie said in 1997 in an interview for his 50th birthday, "I've written many musicals and done many...in my head! Ha-ha-ha!" But Mrs. Orwell didn't give him the rights for a musical for a couple reasons. 1. Bowie was obviously coked up and not sane enough to ask for it the right way. 2nd. She said that making a movie out of the novel was 'horrible enough'.