The text could be read as the description of a chess match. But since it’s not explicit, the song feels like an oblique and much more general observation of human interrelation. However it’s perhaps more likely to be autobiographical in origin, a reflection on the internal conflicts driving Wire apa...
Two people in a room
Facial movements betray
(A private display)
(Of nervous disorder)
And mutual torture
Two people in a room
(Bloody image is conjured)
(But no one is injured)
The weapons are chosen
But the action is frozen
Two people in a room
Positions are shifted
The ceasefire unlifted
The lighting is fierce
It's intended to pierce
Any cloak of deceit
And encourage retreat
And God, they're so gifted
My God, they're so gifted
My God, they're so gifted
Two people in a room
A personal locations
(An indication)
(Of previous decisions)
Aggressive decisions
Two People in a Room was written by Bruce Gilbert & Colin Newman.
Two People in a Room was produced by Mike Thorne.
Wire released Two People in a Room on Sun Sep 23 1979.