Seattle is an interesting song in many ways. First of all, it rocks: there’s some really good guitar work here. Secondly, I really feel this is one of John Lydon’s best vocal performances, with lots of pith and rage that works well against the squealing guitars and funky bass. Finally, it’s curious as to what it’s about; Rumor has it that the song was written after the band had a negative experience in Seattle, but I cannot substantiate those rumors in any way. In many ways, it’s generic enough to cover a lot of different scenarios.
And of course, the lyrics:
Don’t like the look of this old town
What goes up must come down
Character is lost and found
On unfamiliar playing ground
Get out of My World
What in the world
Shoe boxed around the rifle range
Have all your functions rearranged
Your mind and body gagged and bound
On a new familiar playing ground
The ordinary will ignore
Whatever they cannot explain
As if nothing ever happened
And everything remained the same again
What in the world
What in the world
What in the world
Get out of my world
Get out of my world
Get out of my world
Open your mouth now
Secret signs and knowing looks
These happy days will cook the books
Happy to take the misery
This mortal life can bring to me
Don’t like the looks of this town
What goes up must come down
Character is lost and found
On unfamiliar playing ground
What in the world
What in the world
What in the world
What in, get out, get out
Get out of my world
What in the world
Palaces, barricades, threats meet promises
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