Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "Hammer to Fall" by
Queen deal with various themes such as the ephemeral, the pressure of society, and the meaning of life.
In the first verse, it is said that it doesn't matter if we stand or fall because history won't care. This can mean that the actions and decisions we make in life ultimately don't matter as they get lost in the grand story of the world.
In the chorus, it is emphasized that one should not waste time and always be ready to answer the call. It is pointed out that the "hammer will fall" for all of us and we are just waiting for it. This can mean that we need to prepare for changes and challenges in life and be ready to face them.
In the second verse, the ephemeral nature of life is emphasized. Every day and every night, a little piece of us is lost as we try to conform to Western society and strengthen our bodies even though they are slowly decaying.
Throughout the song, the idea is presented that the truth applies equally to the rich, the poor, and the famous. It is said that it's time to close the door and protect ourselves from the rain coming in through the window. This can symbolize our attempt to hide from the problems and challenges of life but ultimately without success.
The lyrics also speak of a generation that grew up in the shadow of the atomic mushroom and believes that their voices are not heard. They just want to scream louder and louder to be heard.
The lyrics end with the question of what we are fighting for. It is said that we should simply surrender because then it doesn't hurt. It is pointed out that there is still time to pray while waiting for the "hammer to fall".
Overall, the song lyrics express the uncertainty, ephemerality, and pressure of society while also emphasizing the idea of resistance and the pursuit of meaning. The question is posed of whether it's even worth fighting or if we should just surrender. In the end, the "hammer to fall" is expected, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for an inevitable change or unavoidable event in life.