’80 London by Jetpack

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid, almost fantastical picture of London, reimagined through the lens of a specific, vibrant past. The opening lines propose a literal "London by Jetpack," suggesting a future where travel is instantaneous and perhaps fueled by creative output, "What we spend on fuel / We'll make in film." This sets up a world where the mundane economics of travel are transformed into artistic revenue, hinting at a desire for a more glamorous, less grounded existence. The core of the song seems to reside in a nostalgic yearning for a particular era, specifically the "New Romantics" period of the 1980s. The narrator admits to being "oblivious then," yet their "love has never waned," suggesting a deep, perhaps idealized, connection to that time. The phrase "My roots are New Romantic" implies an identity deeply intertwined with this past, even if it draws criticism. This creates a tension between the present self and the idealized past, a desire to revisit and perhaps even re-enact that cultural moment. The most striking element is the persistent imagery of jetpacks and flight, transforming London into a playground of aerial movement. This isn't just about travel; it's about the "zooming 'round," the "speed, the sex." The narrator envisions a future London where they are "monarch" and decree it "1980," complete with jetpacks for everyone and a return to the flamboyant aesthetics of the era, like dressing as "Pierrots" and "pirates." This fantasy extends to a club scene where "Vivienne Westwood will be my queen" and "there will be no army / Only the Blitz," a provocative juxtaposition of fashion, rebellion, and historical event. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their ability to blend a whimsical, science-fiction premise with a deeply personal and specific cultural nostalgia. The jetpack becomes a vehicle not just for physical travel, but for emotional and temporal escape. The repeated refrain "It's not the going up / It's not the coming down / It's the zooming 'round" perfectly captures the thrill of this idealized existence, prioritizing the exhilarating experience over the practicalities of arrival or departure. The song offers a potent escape, a curated fantasy of a London that is both futuristic and a perfect echo of a beloved past.