Reviewed, it seemed
As if someone were watching over it
Before it was
As if response were based on fact

Providing, deciding, it was soon there
Squared to it, faced to it, it was not there

Renewed, it fought
As if it had a cause to live for
Denied, it learned
As if it had sooner been destroyed

Providing, deciding, it was soon there
Squared to it, faced to it, it was not there

Reviewed, it fought
As if someone were watching over it
Before it had sooner been denied
Renewed, it seemed
As if it had a cause to live for
Destroyed, it was later based on fact


Lyrics submitted by Chinup, edited by rockaction

The 15th Lyrics as written by Colin John Newman

Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC

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The 15th song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +4
    Song Meaning

    Unlike "Kidney Bingos", which does indeed have a rather pointed meaning, this song, possibly quite literally, is about nothing, as has been attested to by Colin Newman various times; the title refers to how it was the fifteenth song written and demo-ed for 154. Still, it sounds oddly meaningful, especially considering that the title sounds suspiciously like a military regiment...

    Why this song wasn't chosen for a single, I have no idea. It's superbly constructed, insanely catchy, and despite not being quite the masterpiece that "Map Ref. 41ºN 93ºW" is, it has a much easier-to-remember title (in the conventional sense) and even simpler (if ultimately weirder) lyrics.

    Cynothoglyson May 19, 2010   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    It is about an idea. Any idea.

    DemonicBaggieon October 10, 2015   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    I'm pretty sure this is about the commercialisation -- lack of meaning -- in the punk scene towards its end.

    jim2000on April 22, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The only intuition on the so-called meaning of this track that made any sense was DemonicBaggie's: "It is about an idea. Any idea."

    Only even this has to be generalized: why limit ourselves to the idea and not go immediately for the thing, ideas included? (Or, if you prefer, for the fact or even for the process. It is not a matter of terminology: pick your elementary ontological unit and roll with it.)

    The lyrics correspond to this level of abstraction. This, in a way, makes it more approachable than other Wire tracks.

    bVon May 08, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    always love this song

    sofreshon January 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    mike watt's cover is totally amazing

    xleticiaxon October 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Love this song too, but have no idea what the lyrics mean. I think it may be like other Wire songs such as "Kidney Bingos" where the words really have no meaning, but fit the melody extremely well.

    leamancon December 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    words make perfect sense, you just haven't had that experience, sorry, i wont spoil it for you... it hurts and you just have to go thru it to understand it ;)

    damitdamnon March 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Isn't the song supposed to be about abortion? "The 15th" allegedly referred to the 15th week of pregnancy which at the time was the latest date for aborting.

    "As if it had no cause to live for", "As if it had sooner been destroyed" , "It was not there".....the lyrics definitely fit.

    MisterMarcuson November 14, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's about human life, "Providing, deciding" = materialism and free will, the essence of modern life; "Squared to it, faced to it, it was not there" : these are just ideas, they are illusions that promote our self-worth.

    The subject -- or mankind -- turns to faith "as if someone were watching over it" but ultimately becomes real only as a collective memory, however factual.

    dean166771on October 16, 2014   Link

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