The Meaning Behind The Song: Everything’s Gone Green by New Order
Released in 1981, “Everything’s Gone Green” by New Order has stood the test of time and remains a favorite among fans of the Manchester music scene. With its catchy synth-pop beats and cryptic lyrics, the song has been the subject of much speculation and interpretation over the years.
So what is the meaning behind the song? Let’s dive into the lyrics and explore some of the possible interpretations.
Verse 1
I’ve never seen anything like it
Like a vision from the skies
It’s the making of tomorrow
The beginning of forever
And yesterday’s gone
The first verse of the song sets the stage for a world in flux, with something new and exciting on the horizon. The “vision from the skies” could be interpreted as a metaphor for a new technology or cultural trend that is transforming society.
At the same time, the lyrics suggest that the past is quickly becoming obsolete – “yesterday’s gone.” This could be seen as a commentary on the rapid pace of change in modern life, with old ways of doing things being replaced by new ones at an ever-faster pace.
Chorus
But everything’s gone green
Click, click, drone
And every day
In every way
I find that things are changing
The chorus of “Everything’s Gone Green” reinforces the idea of change and transformation, with the repeated refrain of “everything’s gone green.” This could be interpreted in a number of different ways, but one possibility is that it refers to a new era of environmental consciousness and sustainability.
The “click, click, drone” is a bit more mysterious, but could be seen as a reference to the rise of technology and automation in modern life. The repetition of “every day in every way” reinforces the idea of ongoing transformation and evolution.
Verse 2
Every year I see the changes
See the faces behind the screen
What happened to the wonderful adventures
The lands we saw, the things we did
Yesterday’s gone
The second verse of the song continues the theme of change and transformation, with a focus on the personal as well as the societal. The “faces behind the screen” could be interpreted as a reference to the increasing role of technology and social media in modern life, which is changing the way we interact with each other and the world around us.
The reference to “wonderful adventures” and “lands we saw” suggests a nostalgia for a time before the constant onslaught of new technology and social media. The repeated refrain of “yesterday’s gone” emphasizes the idea that the past is behind us, and that we must adapt to the changing world around us.
Bridge
When the world turned Day-Glo
You looked at me and said: “it doesn’t pay to be brave
With your lights on, with your lights on”
The bridge of “Everything’s Gone Green” is, in some ways, the most mysterious part of the song. The reference to “Day-Glo” suggests a psychedelic, perhaps drug-induced experience, and the warning “it doesn’t pay to be brave” is somewhat ominous.
The repetition of “with your lights on” could be interpreted in a few different ways – it could be a reference to being visible in a dark or chaotic world, or it could be a commentary on the increasing surveillance and monitoring of modern life.
FAQs
1. What is the meaning behind the title “Everything’s Gone Green”?
There are a few different interpretations of the title of the song. One possibility is that it is a reference to a new era of environmental consciousness and sustainability, with “green” representing the natural world. Another possibility is that it is a commentary on the increasing role of technology and automation in modern life, with “green” representing the color of computer screens.
2. What inspired the lyrics of the song?
New Order has been somewhat cryptic about the inspiration behind “Everything’s Gone Green.” Some fans and critics have speculated that the lyrics are a commentary on the rapid pace of change in modern life, while others have suggested that they are about the rise of technology and social media.
3. What is the meaning behind the lyric “click, click, drone”?
The phrase “click, click, drone” is somewhat mysterious, but could be interpreted as a reference to the rise of technology and automation in modern life. The repetition of the phrase suggests a sense of monotony or unrelenting sameness.
4. What is the significance of the references to “yesterday’s gone”?
The repeated refrain of “yesterday’s gone” emphasizes the idea that the past is behind us, and that we must adapt to the changing world around us. It could be seen as a commentary on the rapid pace of change in modern life, or a nostalgic look back at a time before technology and social media took over.
5. What is the meaning behind the reference to “Day-Glo” in the bridge?
The reference to “Day-Glo” in the bridge suggests a psychedelic, perhaps drug-induced experience. It could be interpreted as a commentary on the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 70s, or a more general sense of disorientation and confusion.
6. What is the significance of the warning “it doesn’t pay to be brave” in the bridge?
The warning “it doesn’t pay to be brave” is somewhat ominous, and could be interpreted in a number of different ways. It could be seen as a caution against overconfidence or recklessness in the face of change and uncertainty.
7. What is the meaning behind the repeated refrain of “with your lights on”?
The repetition of “with your lights on” could be interpreted in a few different ways – it could be a reference to being visible in a dark or chaotic world, or it could be a commentary on the increasing surveillance and monitoring of modern life.
8. What is the significance of the line “the making of tomorrow, the beginning of forever”?
The line “the making of tomorrow, the beginning of forever” sets the stage for a world in flux, with something new and exciting on the horizon. It suggests a sense of optimism and possibility, but also acknowledges the uncertainty and potential pitfalls of the future.
9. What is the meaning behind the reference to “the faces behind the screen”?
The reference to “the faces behind the screen” could be interpreted as a commentary on the increasing role of technology and social media in modern life, which is changing the way we interact with each other and the world around us. It suggests a sense of disconnection and alienation from the physical world.
10. What is the significance of the repetition of “every day in every way”?
The repetition of “every day in every way” reinforces the idea of ongoing transformation and evolution. It suggests that change is a constant and inevitable part of life, and that we must adapt and evolve in order to keep up with the world around us.
11. What is the meaning behind the line “what happened to the wonderful adventures”?
The line “what happened to the wonderful adventures” suggests a nostalgia for a time before the constant onslaught of new technology and social media. It could also be seen as a comment on the way that society places less value on adventure and exploration than it once did.
12. What is the overall message of the song?
The overall message of “Everything’s Gone Green” is somewhat open to interpretation, but it could be seen as a commentary on the rapid pace of change in modern life, and the need to adapt and evolve in order to keep up with the changing world around us. It also suggests a nostalgia for a simpler time, before technology and social media took over our lives.
