London’s Burning is a cool late 1970’s punk song. A simple tune with a tongue in cheek lyric that actually points out a greater evil–namely the problems of mass unemployment and racial tension in the UK–it’s also a nice little rocking tune. It’s got a great hook, it’s a good sing-a-long song, and it’s easy to relate to in many ways for many people in the years between 18-21.
And of course, the lyrics:
London’s burning! London’s burning!
All across the town, all across the night
Everybody’s driving with full headlights
Black or white turn it on, face the new religion
Everybody’s sitting ’round watching television!
London’s burning with boredom now
London’s burning dial 99999
I’m up and down the Westway, in an’ out the lights
What a great traffic system - it’s so bright
I can’t think of a better way to spend the night
Then speeding around underneath the yellow lights
London’s burning with boredom now
London’s burning dial 99999
Now I’m in the subway and I’m looking for the flat
This one leads to this block, this one leads to that
The wind howls through the empty blocks looking for a home
I run through the empty stone because I’m all alone
London’s burning with boredom now…
London’s burning dial 99999
