Frightened Children

Album: ...As Midnight Approaches (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is arguably the strongest track on the magnificent but sadly unappreciated debut album ...As Midnight Approaches.

    According to vocalist and lyricist Noel Jones in a 2009 interview with Songfacts: "'Frightened Children' is about the threat of war and the main influence on the words were the opening titles to a TV series called The World At War where grainy images of faces (some children) would melt away like a transparency slide in a fire, only to reveal another which would in turn melt away. Jeff must have used the sample of children's voices from a sound effect disc, and I seem to recognize the sample as being that used at the end of 'Phaedra' by Tangerine Dream. Again significant in this sample is what sounds like a timid voice singing 'Ring-A-Ring-A-Roses' which is a nursery rhyme that commemorates a disease... that killed many children. 'Atishoo! Atishoo! We all fall down' recalls the symptoms and the falling down is death. Another little voice in the sample asks 'Will you catch me?', which could be construed as a plea to be saved from impending death in this case."
  • The last track on the album, this runs to a shade over eight and a half minutes, and plays out with an extended solo by lead guitarist Simon Pengilly. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.