New Wave Outpost Forum

In Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face" he sings about reading murder books trying to stay hip...can someone explain this to me? I don't get it?

Maybe it was written about the same time as Agatha Christie books and the like were "big" and "everybody" was reading them.... (or some similar situation) ?! thats how I always took it anyway.

I am sure it has some vastly different drug induced meaning for Billy [8D]

TM

[quote]In Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face" he sings about reading murder books trying to stay hip...can someone explain this to me? I don't get it?
[/quote]

My own interpretation has always been that the song is sung from the point of view of a serial killer; he's reading "murder books (to) stay hip" in order to keep up with the newest competitors and colleagues--the same way a keyboardist or bassist would read their respective trade magazines.

<font size=1 color=#000099>
[i]"Let's have a war so you can go and die,
Let's have a war, we could all use the money,
Let's have a war, we need the space,
Let's have a war, clean out this place!"[/i]--Fear, "Let's Have A War"
</font>

.. or maybe being a 'bad boy' and having a dangerous image would mean reading murder books would keep him in touch with the 'dark side' (whilst oh 'a psychedelic trip' mind you) [;)]

Hmm good question you raise there Nero!

TM

"reading murder books and trying to stay hip" isn't the same as "reading murder books TO try to stay hip".

Perhaps he's reading murder books because he enjoys them and doing other things to try to stay hip. The books may have nothing to do with staying hip.

[quote][i]Originally posted by scramjet[/i]
<br>"reading murder books and trying to stay hip" isn't the same as "reading murder books TO try to stay hip".

Perhaps he's reading murder books because he enjoys them and doing other things to try to stay hip. The books may have nothing to do with staying hip.
[/quote]

That's the way I interpreted it. Although the serial killer comment could be correct as well.

Also, is it scary to anyone that I knew what this thread was about before I clicked on it?

[quote][i]Originally posted by Spectre General[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by scramjet[/i]
<br>"reading murder books and trying to stay hip" isn't the same as "reading murder books TO try to stay hip".

Perhaps he's reading murder books because he enjoys them and doing other things to try to stay hip. The books may have nothing to do with staying hip.
[/quote]

That's the way I interpreted it. Although the serial killer comment could be correct as well.

Also, is it scary to anyone that I knew what this thread was about before I clicked on it?
[/quote]

I phrased it that way to only solicit true IDOL aficionados. IDOl is like Cigars....everyone likes to smoke them but only the old crusty SOBs are true fans!

[quote][i]Originally posted by Spectre General[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by scramjet[/i]
<br>"reading murder books and trying to stay hip" isn't the same as "reading murder books TO try to stay hip".

Perhaps he's reading murder books because he enjoys them and doing other things to try to stay hip. The books may have nothing to do with staying hip.
[/quote]

That's the way I interpreted it. Although the serial killer comment could be correct as well.

Also, is it scary to anyone that I knew what this thread was about before I clicked on it?
[/quote]

I phrased it that way to only solicit true IDOL aficionados. IDOl is like Cigars....everyone likes to smoke them but only the old crusty SOBs are true fans!

Venkman nailed it. This sort of explains it:

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2821

Now I like the song even more. [8D]

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In the publishing industry, murder mysteries and romances are the most consistantly best-selling genres.

My take is that he's hip because he is among the masses.

[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
<br>Venkman nailed it. This sort of explains it:

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2821

Now I like the song even more. [8D]

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[/quote]

Wow, awesome post motors, I'd heard of the movie, and was intrigued by it, but somehow never thought to relate it to the song.

Also Nero, who you callin' "Old & crusty"?[}:)]