2000 A.D.

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of urban existence, where the narrator feels confined and dulled by the city's artificiality. They describe sleeping in the "crass hay of the city" and a "concrete stable," suggesting a life that is both unnatural and restrictive, filled with the "powers and principalities" that feel more like oppressive forces than guiding ones. This initial scene sets a tone of disillusionment with the present, a feeling of being trapped in a system that offers only a "nickel taste" when bitten into, hinting at a superficial and unpleasant reality. The central tension arises from the narrator's declaration of the present as "hostile" and their determined push towards the year 2000, which is presented as a potential escape or improvement. This future year is envisioned as a place where they can remain "urban, civil," and where things "will be better." The repetition of this declaration, "I declare the present hostile / I will advance to the year 2000," underscores a desperate hope for change and a rejection of the current, unsatisfying state of affairs. A striking element of the craft is the juxtaposition of seemingly disparate images and words, creating a sense of unease and critical commentary. The "neutral tongue" that "knows no bitterness" but tastes like "nickel" when bitten, or the idea of "revolution" being "televised," suggests a manufactured or compromised reality. The pairing of "angels" with "asses" in the "concrete stable" further blurs lines between the divine and the base, reflecting a world where genuine meaning is obscured or corrupted. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their ability to capture a feeling of alienation within a modern, "civilized" world. The narrator's struggle against a "hostile present" and their yearning for a better future, embodied by the turn of the millennium, resonates through the sharp, often jarring imagery. The writing crafts a sense of urgent, almost desperate, forward momentum, driven by a profound dissatisfaction with the status quo and a belief that progress, however uncertain, lies ahead.