Empire of the Sun – We Are the People

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  General Comment:Are these the lyrics actually taken from the album booklet? I hear 'I can't do well when I think you're gonna lead me but I know I try, are you gonna lead me now, can't you be believing now?' Which would make more sense with the main line said in the song 'we are the people who rule the world.' To me this song seems like a tool that would be used to brainwash people into getting used to the idea of having someone rule the world.

  Flag Durrvilleon December 05, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:This is my interpretation of the song. This song is a reflection of the youth of the person singing the song.
  
  Verse 1:
  In 1975, there was a dance called "Do The Swim". So, swimming in December refers to the dance that him and the other person did. There is also an old church game by the name of Nearer or Farther (creativeyouthideas.com/resources/creative-teaching-ideas/nearer-or-farther/) that was played by children. So, they shared each others secrets in the game. The Scent of Lemon refers to the musical play called "The Scent of Fresh Lemons" (pwmusical.com/…) that reflected on the past of the man character. The character sings in a way that sounds like he is crying about his youth.
  
  Chorus:
  The saying is that "The Youth Rule The World." The Chorus is basically emphasizing this saying. They had power and strength at a young age, but they choose to "rejoice" in what they had at that present time and didn't realize that future was fast approaching.
  
  Verse 2:
  He and the other person spent alot of time together and did alot of wild things. In 1976-77, Tina Charles released a song called "Fallin In Love in the Summertime." I believe that while doing the wild and crazy things that they did, this song was one of their favorites and reminded them of themselves.
  
  Hook:
  Everyone knows that it may come to a point in life where you will have to leave behind that one person that you hold close to your heart. Or, that person might leave you. We, as humans, don't do well when we feel like our hearts will be broken. We tend to think when will this feeling end or if it can last forever.
  
  Verse 3:
  The writer wanted to help remind the other person to be more human and sympathize. To stop being so hard and robotic. Remember when they were young and full of energy; to see if they could get that feeling back that they had in 1975.
  
  Bridge:
  When in a strong relationship that last over 2 years, you both share alot with each other and know alot about each other. He was trying to remind the person that we should continue on with each other because no one knows you like I know you and vice versa.

  Flag KlearJOfficialon June 27, 2012   Link

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    They're Australian so in december it's quite hot.
    How dare you think everything is from the US/Europe, bigot.

    Flag M4g3mpireon May 05, 2013  
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  General Comment:I think this song is about the people, the humans. They rule the world in every way.They have all the power but they have weaknesses.
  It appears a relationship but it's like the couple do the things that the other people do too.
  Have you seen the video? At the end there's a cemetery and I think this refers to death in the song when it says: I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me,
  But I know I try,
  Are you gonna leave me now,
  Can't you be believing now.
  
  Death is a big fear for humans and we have to live with it.

  Flag october505on November 26, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:A gorgeous song...
  
  A desperate plea of one half of a union to prevent the disillusioned half from abandoning him. One is living in the past, the other is probably already gone.
  
  I am very intrigued by the lyric "the scent of a lemon drips from your eyes". If anyone has any insight I'd appreciate it.
  
  The video is silly theater.

  Flag Kay1920on September 17, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I am in love with them :)

  Flag Passsionless0soulon July 28, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I think it has something to do with drugs and a new way to see life after taking them, those plases shown in the video are famous in mexico for been unique places to find peyote and shrooms.
  the waterfalls were the shower of a castle, those stairs are known as the stairs to heaven. That place was built by the poet and patron of the arts Edward James as his personal Eden.
  i think the song and the video has a deep and alternate meaning.
  open minds and try to change the world

  Flag vicmic20on May 31, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:The reason this song sounds so good is because they have finely sampled a familiar Aztec (Mexican Empire of the Sun) theme in the background with a modern instrumentals. The video also cleverly matches the Aztec theme, with they’re ancient burial customs.
  
  It’s a sad song about the ending of a very strong relationship.
  

  Flag EddyJawedon May 25, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:This song is about two friends. One convincing the other from his departure of youth going into adulthood. My interpretation anyway. 1975 and other details are probably just personal experiences.

  Flag olenon April 28, 2011   Link

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  My Opinion:GOD, i wanna dance to this song ALL the time.....I think it's about a younger more innocent time....not having a care in the world.....you're young....it's summer...you're in love...theres swimming/parks/beaches/picnics IMO <33

  Flag rochey1on March 14, 2011   Link

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  My Interpretation:This the story of the parents of one of the two composers, they were young in 75 and made a baby that year during the summer, they were building the universe in giving life, but now one of the two, presumably the father, wants to leave (and is not to die soon as some have written). The baby who came out of this 75 love on the beach is one of the two composers. This song is written to help his mother to get back the man of her life: 35 years together ! They know everything of each other !! But the son is certainly more shocked then his mother ... like a kid suffering from a divorce ... because he is a very sensitive artist. That's why this song is so beautiful and so powerful.

  Flag obelixon February 01, 2011   Link

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