Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of societal breakdown, driven by violence and desperation. It opens with a raw, almost nihilistic view of revolution, immediately juxtaposing it with the brutal imagery of "tear gas, bullets and the police sirens." This sets a tone of chaos where "street marauders born to die," suggesting a predetermined cycle of conflict and destruction. The central tension lies in the pervasive sense of lawlessness and global unrest. The mention of "P.L.O.'s got the world in chains" and "kidnapped victims on a hijacked plane" expands the scope beyond local disturbances to international conflict and terrorism. This creates a feeling of widespread fear and instability, where "desperate players" engage in a "deadly game." The repetition of "Crimewave" acts as a relentless, almost hypnotic refrain, hammering home the overwhelming nature of this societal condition. It’s not just isolated incidents but a pervasive atmosphere. The lyrics also highlight a grim fatalism with the repeated phrase "born to die," applied to both "street marauders" and "lawless killers," implying an inescapable destiny within this violent landscape. This writing is effective because it uses sharp, evocative imagery and a driving, repetitive structure to create a visceral sense of unease and impending doom. The bluntness of the language, coupled with the escalating examples of violence and conflict, leaves the listener with a powerful impression of a world spiraling out of control.