Secret Machines – First Wave Intact

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Send "First Wave Intact" Ringtone to Cell

The open way's too dangerous
Listen close, they're watching us
One more time you're losing us
Hold still, they're shooting us
First wave down!
I wonder when they're coming back
First wave down!

As leaves from modern trees
Rest on walls like these

I wonder what you're waiting for
I wonder what you're working for
I wonder what you're living for
I wonder what you're dying for
First wave down!
I wonder when they're coming back
First wave intact!

As leaves from modern trees
Rest on walls like these
The rest is theft

The walls don't move, don't change
Does it make you feel ashamed?
No dreams, no curse
Could we make things even worse?
Don't mean it's right
But it makes you see the light!

Send "First Wave Intact" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by RaineBM1185

Track duration: 09:00

"First Wave Intact" as written by Brandon Curtis Josh Garza

Lyrics © CHRYSALIS MUSIC GROUP

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


First Wave Intact song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:i will never get tired of this song.
    Flag iamzombieon January 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think DeBurgo's right -- It's at least supposed to allude to the "waves" of enemies in old video games. The first thing I thought of when I heard the title was the old galaga style games "Wave 1, Wave 2, etc..." instead of levels. The lyrics combined with the style of the music make me think of a futuristic war setting (something I hear in a lot of the other tracks on NHIN as well). Here's sort of how I see it: In the first verse, the soldiers are moving and talking on radios when they get ambushed. They kill the people ambushing them, but capture one for interrogation. The second verse is the interrogation. Someone asks these wierd questions in frustration, getting more and more oblique because the prisoner won't respond. Then in a sudden flash of understanding the interrogator asks, "when they're coming back." The prisoner finally says something, "First Wave Intact," knowing it's too late for them to escape, and more troops emerge to attack the soldiers. Many are killed and the bodies fall ("as leaves from modern trees"). The rest scatter, and the rest of the lyrics are the panicked thoughts of some of the soldiers as they run.

    Just my own crazy interpretation.
    Flag TheTANKon September 12, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This being the first track on their second record, and them being aware that this could be the first impression they make on the masses, this song is a commentary on their cautious approach to the possibility of fame. Being a rock band, and fans of rock music, they have observed how fans will embrace a new band with a new sound and put them on a pedistal as the new "rock gods," only to knock them off the pedistal when they realize the band is not doing anything different from what came before... there are only so many formulas to making a rock song. "First wave intact" means they are just trying to survive the first stages of success and fame, and the subsequent backlash that is inevitable. Although their lyrics are very eloquent and veiled in their meaning throughout this album, all the songs are essentially about what was going on with them personally in the period between leaving Dallas as an up-and-coming local sensation and becoming serious major-label musicians.
    Flag txfilmguy1on March 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:no. how would that be cool? that would be just like half of the other meaningless music put out today. the secret machines are a rare exception. as someone said in a different comment..they're like wilco, radiohead, etc. they are the only good bands still alive. well, there are more but im not typing them out. this song is most likely about war, but i 've never heard it mentioned in interviews or anything,


    leave that nerd bullshit out of the secret machines area of this site.
    Flag TransparentSunChildon December 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's about old school 2d (scrolling, possibly) space shooters of course!

    A "wave" in these things refers to a level or a wave of enemies.

    ok that was a joke, I'm positive the song isn't about that, but it'd be pretty cool (nerdy) if that song were, wouldn't it?
    Flag DeBurgoon July 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I saw these lot at the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park. Absolutely amazing song.
    Flag Dr Strangeloveon July 11, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Badass.
    Flag ghotistixon May 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Front line in a war.........from the soldier's perspective.
    Flag thelastnarratoron December 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:9 minutes and it never gets boring. The more I listen to it the more meaning I find.
    Flag lensflareon November 18, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love every single aspect of this song.
    Flag Flinchy17on October 28, 2004   Link

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