Under The God

Tin Machine's song 'Under The God' is a stark and unflinching commentary on the resurgence of racism, fascism, and societal decay. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where hate and violence are rampant, and the symbols of oppression have made a disturbing comeback. The opening lines, 'Skin dance back-a-the condo / Skinheads getting to school / Beating on blacks with a baseball bat / Racism back in rule,' immediately set a grim tone, highlighting the brutal reality of racial violence and the resurgence of racist ideologies.

The song continues to explore the theme of societal collapse, with references to 'trash picking up nazi flags' and 'a swastika over the door,' symbolizing the normalization of hate and the return of fascist symbols. The chorus, 'Under the God, under the God / One step over the red line / Under the God, under the God / Ten steps into the craze,' suggests a society teetering on the edge of chaos, where the boundaries of decency and humanity are being crossed.

Further, the lyrics criticize political and social leaders who fail to address or even recognize the growing threat of supremacist hate. Lines like 'Washington heads in the toilet bowl / Don't see supremicist hate / Right wing dicks in their boiler suits / picking out who to annihilate' point to a willful ignorance or complicity in the face of rising extremism. The song's imagery of a 'toxic jungle of Uzi trails' and 'fascist flare is fashion cool' underscores the pervasive and insidious nature of this societal decay. Ultimately, 'Under The God' serves as a powerful and urgent call to recognize and confront the dark forces at play in modern society.