The song’s title is a reference to the first inaugural of Franklin Roosevelt, he states in his speech, “There is nothing to fear, but fear itself.”
The song talks about war propaganda from the perspective of a skeptic, who states later in the song, “people will die”, so what is the point?
The perso...
[Verse 1]
Hey, neighbor, let me give you some advice
The Russians are about to pulverize us
In our sleep tonight
That is, if the crazy Arabs
Or the riots don't get us first
And the fire will rain down from the sky
The fire will rain down from the sky
[Pre-Chorus]
People will die, People will die
People will die, People will die
But go ahead sleep tight in your beds
Remember what the wise man said:
[Chorus]
There's nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear but fear itself
There's nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear but fear itself
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
[Bridge]
And the temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop
The temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop (drop)
[Verse 2]
Hey, little girl, won't you come this way
Won't you let me buy you candy
Or perhaps a chocolate shake
Or perhaps some nice cocaine, or perhaps a little kiss
Or perhaps a ride in my big car, perhaps a ride in my big car
[Pre-Chorus]
Don't be afraid, don't be afraid
Don't be afraid, don't be afraid
Won't you make an old man happy?
Won't you make an old man happy?
Won't you let me show you paradise?
Don't ask your mother for advice
[Chorus]
There's nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear but fear itself
There's nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear but fear itself
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
[Bridge]
And the temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop
The temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop (drop)
[Verse 3]
If they don't turn you into a junkie or a zombie on the street
If they don't turn you into a yo-cat or a grinning Jesus freak
If they don't take away your brains or turn your body inside out
If they don't take away your passion with a color TV set
[Pre-Chorus]
They'll take away your heart and soul
They'll take away your heart and soul
They'll take away your heart and soul
Don't let them take away your heart and soul
But remember what the wise man said:
[Chorus]
There's nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear but fear itself
There's nothing to fear
There's nothing to fear but fear itself
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
There's nothing to fear (but fear itself)
[Bridge]
And the temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop now
The temperature's starting to drop
The temperature's starting to drop now
Nothing To Fear (But Fear Itself) was written by Danny Elfman.
Nothing To Fear (But Fear Itself) was produced by Oingo Boingo & Joe Chiccarelli.
Oingo Boingo released Nothing To Fear (But Fear Itself) on Tue Jun 22 1982.