The Cold War (often dated 1947–1991) was a sustained state of political and military tension between the powers of the Western world, led by the United States and its NATO allies, and the communist world, led by the Soviet Union, its satellite states and allies. This began after the success of their temporary wartime alliance against Nazi Germany, leaving the USSR and the US as two superpowers with profound economic and political differences. The Soviet Union created the Eastern Bloc with the eastern European countries it occupied, maintaining these as satellite states. The post-war recovery of Western Europe was facilitated by the United States' Marshall Plan, while the Soviet Union, wary of the conditions attached, declined and set up COMECON with its Eastern allies. The United States forged NATO, a military alliance using containment of communism as a main strategy through the Truman Doctrine, in 1949, while the Soviet bloc formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955. Some countries aligned with either of the two powers, whilst others chose to remain neutral with the Non-Aligned Movement.
Written by Tommy Shaw
Lead Vocals by Tommy Shaw
I'm tired of your psychology
To bring me to my bended knees
And if I could only talk to you
I'm sure that I could make you see
'Cause time has a way
Of bringing even mountains down, down, down
Storm clouds are coming
I suggest you head for higher ground
I say you're a thing of the past
And you ain't gonna last
No matter what you say or do
It's all caught up to you
You're duty-free, you're tax-exempt
You party with the President
And you dance the dance so naturally
Why not believe you're heaven-sent
But time has a way of bringing
Even mountains down, down, down
There's a storm cloud a-comin'
I insist you head for higher ground
You talk talk and you get so intense
That you almost make sense
And that's what scares me the most
You as the host of Celebrity Lies
It's prime time, baby
Can't you see in my eyes, it's a
Cold war-runnin' in the streets
Everybody you meet knows
It's going down, don't you know
Cold war-blowing in the air
Everyone everywhere says it's time
To get ready for a cold war
Don't you look now
But the skinny boy's becoming a man
You say it's the luck of the draw
And you can't have it all
And I'll die young trying to make it
Into something that ain't gonna last
You ought to reconsider
'Cause I'm coming fast with a
Cold war-running in the streets
Everybody you meet
Know's it's going down, don't you know
Cold war-blood is in the air
Everyone everywhere says it's time
To get ready for a cold war-looking at me
From behind every tree
There's a scared man running from a
Cold war-don't you look now
But the skinny boy's a streetfighting man
[extra verses sung in concert during the Kilroy tour:]
Try as you will, you can't escape the chill
that penetrates your clothing,
demanding that you feel
all the trouble that surrounds you,
the bad mixed with the good,
the heartless bits of data waiting to be understood
Information Central promptly processed your request,
the task we're told honestly requires you acquiesce.
Well, blind faith put you where you are now
You're a selfish old cow gettin' high on society's milk.
We pay your bills, life should be so tough.
You'd better watch your fat ass, 'cause we've had enough!
Born in a cold war
Opened up my eyes
See the bombers riding
Dark against the sky
Fly like an eagle
Carried on the wind
See our hearts are broken
So many lives are gone
Waiting for this dream to end
We're not alone
We'll live on forever
They echo the songs
Of the partisans
Don't be afraid
We're heading for glory
The fears of the past
Bring tears of today
Nothing's going to change
Cold is the winter
Chills you to the bone
Praying for the silence
Will the morning come?
Out on the border
Lost without a friend
Searching for a reason
The battle rages on
Waiting for this dream to end
We're not alone
We'll live on forever
They echo the songs
Of the partisans
Don't be afraid
We're heading for glory
The fears of the past
Bring tears of today
Born in a cold war
Opened up my eyes
See the bombers riding
Dark against the sky
Fly like an eagle
Carried on the wind
See our hearts are broken
So many lives are gone
Waiting for this dream to end
We're not alone
We'll live on forever
They echo the songs
Of the partisans
Don't be afraid
We're heading for glory
The fears of the past
Bring tears of today
Nothing's going to change
Cold is the winter
Chills you to the bone
Praying for the silence
Will the morning come?
Out on the border
Lost without a friend
Searching for a reason
The battle rages on
Waiting for this dream to end
We're not alone
We'll live on forever
They echo the songs
Of the partisans
Don't be afraid
We're heading for glory
The fears of the past
Bring tears of today
Nothing's going to change
i -i owe-owe you
absolutely nothing
i-i know-know you
positively disagree
i've heard it said that all is fair
in love and war so what's life for
you watch it go out the window
stop and go back for more
more!
go-go fight-fight punch
your way to happiness
go-go light-light or
you'll never be a big success
i heard it said that all is fair
in love and war so what's life for
the boy and girl
two separate worlds
the endless tug of war
go-go fight-fight punch
your way to happiness
go-go light-light or
you'll never be a big success
i've heard it said that all is fair
in love and war so what's life for
i heard it said that all is fair
in love and war so what's life for
the boy and girl
two separate worlds
the endless tug of war
i -i owe-owe you
Lipstick, cherry red, oh
Baby, now you're a mess
Eyes covered blue
And nobody knows you exist
(You can't stand just not knowing)
Twenty four hours ago
You were alright with this
(You can't stand just not knowing)
Now that it's done
Well, is it too much to admit?
(You can't stand just not knowing)
Maybe, that's just the way it is, baby, yeah
Lately, I've been the one to go crazy, yeah
Given these circumstances
One too many last chances
We just can't let this go
Well, I just hope you're happy
'Cause one of us deserves to be
And we both know it's not me
I can see you suffocating
It's so hard to breathe
So you best get up and going
You're the one that said it's over
You're the one that said it's over now
You can't stand just not knowing
Maybe, that's just the way it is, baby, yeah
Maybe, that's just the way it is, baby, yeah
Lately, I've been the one to go crazy, yeah
Maybe, that's just the way it is, baby, yeah
Frozen talk won't stop for sure
What's buried in the ground
A limit for tomorrow
Doesn't save the here and now
It shouldn't be hard to agree
On something they must know
Maybe they are thinking
If we give in we will fall
Falls the snow
If we give in we will fall
Falls the snow
So far to go
The only thing I really fear
Is what I can't control
This fear has grown a part of me
I've lived it for so long
What good is it to protest
It's like screaming at the wall
Still we raise our voices
If we give in we will fall
I can't live my life here underground
And stare at concrete walls
Nothing's safe to touch outside
I'm scared of what I'll find
I spend my time back in the past
All I have are photographs
Visions of a troubled world
[Sample:]
"This is a Cold War; do you know what you're fighting for? "
They tryna take my life
I guess I'm a human sacrifice
Lil B... what you gon' do?
Cause they coming for you, feel me?
What you gon' do?
Cause they coming for you, you feel me?
[Verse 1:]
Most of the world live in blindness
Time after time, gotta replant, snakes is behind us
Plus they pocket-watching and they feeling like flodging
Make you wanna strap up and murder everybody blocking
What's really going on? You know, what's really going on?
Everybody want the throne and then you gonna die alone...
And the game is getting shady, outlandish
There's voices in my head and I can't really understand em
What they saying... speak to me... it's Lil B
[Verse 2:]
They tryna kill me... haters want me dead...
Nigga, we dying over muthafuckin jewelry
Masculine niggas acting hard for reactions
All for the bitches, all for the fashion
Niggas 35 acting 25 while I sit back in my room and I think...
The world's all perfect: let me fantasize
What we fighting for? We dying to live
Going up, now we living to die
Put my hands in the sky, looking up man, asking for guidance
It's not the world's fault, it's the people inside it
This shit turned me shady
You seen the reaper inside him
Now they feel it in the air, see the evil inside him
Separate from the fake cause you sleeping beside them
Underground 6 feet nigga.
Uh, it's Lil B
What you gon' do?
THE SONG IS CALLED COLD WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!NOT COLD WAR
Intro: (first three lines LP only)
I had a bad dream
Don't be afraid, bad dreams are only dreams
What a time you chose to be born in...
Babies crying brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down
in this cold, cold world...
Verse One: The GZA
It was the night before New Year's, and all through the fuckin projects
Not a handgun was silent, not even a Tec
Outside as I'm stuck, by enemies who put fear
and blasted on the spot before the pigs were dere
You know hoods robbers snipers new in sight fuck blue and white
They escape before them flash the fuckin lights
Gunshots, shatter first floor window panes
Shells hit the ground and blood stained the dice game
Whether broke callisthetic, any style you set it
Beat niggaz toothless, physically cut up like gooses
But with iron on the sides thugs took no excuses
Therefore, your fifty-two handblocks was useless
Links was snatched off necks, scars on throats
Jackets took, after bullet rips through coats
Against those who felt the cold from the steel made em fold
and squeal, once the metal hit the temple of his grill
Destruction worker, who was caught for his bomber
No time to swing the hammer that was hangin from his Farmer's
And it's bugged how some niggaz catch slugs
and pockets dug from everything except check stubs
and it does, sound ill like wars in Brownsville
Or fatal robberies in Red Hook where feds look
For fugitives to shoot cops, niggaz layin on roof tops
for his CREAM he stashed in a shoebox
But he was hot, and the strip was filled with young killers
you don't suspect, so cops creep like caterpillars
And born thieves stay hooded with extra bullets
those who try to flee they hit the vertebrae, increase the murder rate
Similar to hit men who pull out Tecs and then
drop those who act like thai flows from Mexican
Rabbit, like recipients cashin checks again
Back to the motherfuckin spot on Lexington
Chorus:
Babies crying brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down
in this cold, cold world...
We be runnin from the cops, bustin off shots
Shit is deep on the block and you got me locked down
in this cold, cold world...
Verse Two: Inspectah Deck
Yo
No time to freeze, undercovers ease up in Grand Prixs
and seize packages and pocket the currency
Clicks control strips full clips are sprayed
Yellow tape barricades sidewalks where bodies lay
Madness strikes at twelve o'clock midnight
Stick up kids on the ground broke the staircase light
And I stays harassed, scramblin for petty cash
Jakes on my ass young bucks is learnin fast
357's and 44's
Bought inside corner stores, their fire sparks the wars
Hospital floors surrounded by the law
Homicide questioning while the Jakes guard the door
My hood stay tense, loyalty puts strength in my team
Cause niggaz main concern is CREAM
Some niggaz in the jet black Gallant
Shot up the Chinese resteraunt, for this kid named Lamont
I thought he was dead but instead he missed a kid
and hit a twelve year old girl in the head and then fled
Tactical narcotic, task force, back off fast
Cause the crime boss is passin off cash
Extortions, for portions of streets, causes beef
Havin followers of Indians trying to play Chief
You witness the saga, casualties and drama
Life is a script, I'm not a actor but the author
of a modern day opera, where the main character
is presidential paper, the dominant, factor
Chorus
I had a bad dream
Don't be afraid, bad dreams are only dreams
What a time you chose to be born in
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
It was the night before New Year's and all through the fuckin' projects
Not a handgun was silent, not even a Tec
Outside as I'm stuck by enemies who put fear
Blasted on the spot before the pigs were dead
You know hoods, robbers, snipers new in sight, fuck blue and white
They escape before them flash the fuckin' lights
Gunshots, shatter first floor window panes
Shells hit the ground and blood stained the dice game
Whether broke callisthetic, any style you set it
Beat niggaz toothless, physically cut up like gooses
But with iron on the sides thugs took no excuses
Therefore, your fifty-two handblocks was useless
Links was snatched off necks, scars on throats
Jackets took, after bullet rips through coats
Against those who felt the cold from the steel made 'em fold
And squeal, once the metal hit the temple of his grill
Destruction worker, who was caught for his bomber
No time to swing the hammer that was hangin' from his Farmer's
And it's bugged how some niggaz catch slugs
And pockets dug from everything except check stubs
And it does sound ill like wars in Brownsville
Or fatal robberies in Red Hook where feds look
For fugitives to shoot cops, niggaz layin' on roof tops
For his cream he stashed in a shoe box
But he was hot, and the strip was filled with young killers
You don't suspect, so cops creep like caterpillars
And born thieves stay hooded with extra bullets
Those who try to flee they hit the vertebrae, increase the murder rate
Similar to hit men who pull out Tecs and then
Drop those who crack like tacos from Mexican
Rapid, like recipients cashin' checks again
Back to the motherfuckin' spot on Lexington
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world, yo
No time to freeze, undercovers ease up in Grand Prixs
And seize packages and pocket the currency
Clicks control strips full clips are sprayed
Yellow tape, barricades, sidewalks, where bodies lay
Madness strikes at twelve o'clock, midnight
Stick up kids on the ground, broke the staircase light
And I stays harassed, scramblin' for petty cash
Jakes on my ass young bucks is learnin' fast
357's and 44's
Bought inside corner stores, their fire sparks the wars
Hospital floors surrounded by the law
Homicide questioning while the Jakes guard the door
My hood stay tense, loyalty puts strength in my team
'Cause niggaz main concerns scream
Some niggaz in the jet black Gallant
Shot up the Chinese restaurant, for this kid named Lamont
I thought he was dead but instead he missed a kid
And hit a twelve year old girl in the head and then fled
Tactical narcotic, task force, back off fast
'Cause the crime boss is passin' off cash
Extortions for portions of streets causes beef
Havin' followers of Indians trying to play Chief
You witness the saga, casualties and drama
Life is a script, I'm not a actor but the author
Of a modern day opera, where the main character
Is presidential papers, the dominant factor
[Incomprehensible]
But you look so alarmed
As I walked on by
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
Shit is deep on the block
Little white dogs in black and chains
Screaming indignation at your high class games
Till the lights go out
Shut your eyes and go back home
Cramped and shocked in leather jeans
Stoning priests and virgins 'cos they're much too clean
for your new machine
Shut your eyes and go back home
Cause youve been sitting up all night long
Lying in wait where you dont belong
Shooting up strangers
And Ive been covering up for you
Making up songs you can see right through
Someones in danger, think I'm in danger
You play left handed for the revolution
You over-estimate the quick solution
But youll get there soon
Get ready for another Cold War
Another Cold War Oh oh
Another Cold War
Another Cold War Oh oh Oh Oh
But you get let down
when you ask for more
but you rescued me
So I won't stop this automatic fire
Cause youve been sitting up all night long
Lying in wait where you dont belong
Shooting up strangers
And Ive been covering up for you
Making up songs you can see right through
Someones in danger, think I'm in danger
Is this a military state
Is this a military state Im in
I'm seeing something very curious
I swear to god nobody listens to me
I'm serious
You don't need a degree
To see the world is full its fillin up its full
And now you're talking all that
And that shit is bull
You're not trying, You're not trying to get closer to me
You're not trying to get closer to me
You know the city is a timebomb lets get buried in the basement
And the end is just beginning and you'll never know who's winning
But everybody's talking bout getting married
Everybody's talking bout having babies
Everybody's talking bout making money
Everybody's talking bout going to work
Domesticity. Homeland Security, Celebrity
You know I never thought you'd be the kinda little girl who just,
I never thought you'd be the kinda guy who doesn't give a fuck
You're not tryin, You're not trying to do it better today
You're not trying to do it better today
You know the city is in meltdown, lets get married in the kitchen
And you're sleepin in a blackout and your mind is in remission
And everybody's talking bout making money
Everybody's talking bout buying houses
Everybody's talking bout having babies
Everybody getting up and going to work
Don't listen cause the walls are coming down
Convention but the walls are coming down
Estrangement but the walls are coming down
Keep pushing cause the walls are coming down
Violent Pornography, Police Brutality, Ethnicity
Wanna know whats so fuckin funny bout peace love and understanding
You know war's still over if you want it but you gotta want it want it!
Whatever happened to tune in drop out, whatever happened to fuck the police
This war is cold and silent
Our love has turned to violence
You've got three years to live for something
You've got three years to die for something
This war is warm and vibrant
Our love has turned to silence
You've got two months to tell him something
You've got two months to tell him something
And if you love let him know
Or if you leave him tell him so
This war is cold and silent
Our love has turned to violence
You've got three years to live for something
You've got three years to die for something
This war is warm and vibrant
Our love has turned to silence
You've got two months to tell him something
You've got two months to tell him something
And if you love let him know
Or if you leave him tell him so
We’ve built a lot of bombs
And they’re all aimed at you
The USA decided
That you are evil too
Rising of the evening sun
Keeping enemies at bay
Scared by an image
It’s the American way
Provided by the CIA
Weapons for a game they play
A distant cry of disarray
A sanctum we invade
Death before dishonour
And conflicts overseas
We’ll use our flag of freedom
To bring you to your knees
The fear of mass destruction
Another arms race planned
Making money of the killings
Stick your head in the sand
Provided by the CIA
Weapons for a game they play
A distant cry of disarray
A sanctum we invade
Turning the heat up
In a new cold war
You can read it in the papers
You can see it on TV
You can almost taste the blood
Of another casualty
So let’s all sit back
And watch it go to hell
It’s just a story on the news
I had a bad dream
Don't be afraid, bad dreams are only dreams
What a time you chose to be born in
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
It was the night before New Year's and all through the fuckin' projects
Not a handgun was silent, not even a Tec
Outside as I'm stuck by enemies who put fear
Blasted on the spot before the pigs were dead
You know hoods, robbers, snipers new in sight, fuck blue and white
They escape before them flash the fuckin' lights
Gunshots, shatter first floor window panes
Shells hit the ground and blood stained the dice game
Whether broke callisthetic, any style you set it
Beat niggaz toothless, physically cut up like gooses
But with iron on the sides thugs took no excuses
Therefore, your fifty-two handblocks was useless
Links was snatched off necks, scars on throats
Jackets took, after bullet rips through coats
Against those who felt the cold from the steel made 'em fold
And squeal, once the metal hit the temple of his grill
Destruction worker, who was caught for his bomber
No time to swing the hammer that was hangin' from his Farmer's
And it's bugged how some niggaz catch slugs
And pockets dug from everything except check stubs
And it does sound ill like wars in Brownsville
Or fatal robberies in Red Hook where feds look
For fugitives to shoot cops, niggaz layin' on roof tops
For his cream he stashed in a shoe box
But he was hot, and the strip was filled with young killers
You don't suspect, so cops creep like caterpillars
And born thieves stay hooded with extra bullets
Those who try to flee they hit the vertebrae, increase the murder rate
Similar to hit men who pull out Tecs and then
Drop those who crack like tacos from Mexican
Rapid, like recipients cashin' checks again
Back to the motherfuckin' spot on Lexington
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world, yo
No time to freeze, undercovers ease up in Grand Prixs
And seize packages and pocket the currency
Clicks control strips full clips are sprayed
Yellow tape, barricades, sidewalks, where bodies lay
Madness strikes at twelve o'clock, midnight
Stick up kids on the ground, broke the staircase light
And I stays harassed, scramblin' for petty cash
Jakes on my ass young bucks is learnin' fast
357's and 44's
Bought inside corner stores, their fire sparks the wars
Hospital floors surrounded by the law
Homicide questioning while the Jakes guard the door
My hood stay tense, loyalty puts strength in my team
'Cause niggaz main concerns scream
Some niggaz in the jet black Gallant
Shot up the Chinese restaurant, for this kid named Lamont
I thought he was dead but instead he missed a kid
And hit a twelve year old girl in the head and then fled
Tactical narcotic, task force, back off fast
'Cause the crime boss is passin' off cash
Extortions for portions of streets causes beef
Havin' followers of Indians trying to play Chief
You witness the saga, casualties and drama
Life is a script, I'm not a actor but the author
Of a modern day opera, where the main character
Is presidential papers, the dominant factor
[Incomprehensible]
But you look so alarmed
As I walked on by
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
Babies crying, brothers dying and brothers getting knocked
Shit is deep on the block
And you got me locked down in this cold, cold world
We be runnin' from the cops, bustin' off shots
Shit is deep on the block
During the Cold War
My daddy sat at the kitchen table
Smokin' cigarettes
Starin' out the window
During the Cold war
He had grease on his coveralls
And lines beneath his eyes
Where the bombs had fallen
He'd drink a couple a beer
We'd listen to Johnny Cash on the radio
During the Cold War
We had a one story house
On Mercury and Vine
And the blue glow of the television was on all the time
His head would nod as he'd fall asleep
Upon the kitchen table
My mother would clear the dishes
During the Cold War
We were ten seconds away from blowin' up the world
He'd fix those old machines
And worry 'bout his sons and my mother never drove a car
During the Cold War
And when it finally ended
There was no parade of heroes
There was just a quiet sigh
And life went on
My mother went away
She never came back again
And things were never the same as they were