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[ More Joe Jackson lyrics ]
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Artist/Band: Joe Jackson
Lyrics for Song: Forty Years
Lyrics for Album: Big World [1986]



On the tenth anniversary of the end of World War Two



Here in Berlin, people line up to get in

To wait for the end, living in glorious sin

They've looked around and now there is no looking back

To when rivers ran red, now it's the sky that grows black

Shadows are cast as two giants roam over the earth

We light a match, but what is that little flame worth



Once allies danced and sang

But it was forty years ago



Here in D.C., they talk about 'Euro-disease'

And how the French are always so damn hard to please

Motions are passed in Brussels but no one agrees

And no one walks tall, but no one gets down on their knees



Once allies laughed and drank

But it was forty years ago



Where I come from, they don't like Americans much

They think they're so loud, so tasteless and so out of touch

Stiff upper lips are curled into permanent sneers

Self-satisfied, awaiting the next forty years



Once allies cried and cheered

But it was forty years ago


Forty Years

Forty Years stands as a defining track from Joe Jackson's 1986 album Big World, capturing the artist's transition into a more mature, world-influenced sound. Moving beyond the new wave and punk energy of his early career, Jackson explores themes of aging and reflection with a sophisticated, jazz-inflected arrangement. The recording showcases his signature piano work and rhythmic precision, blending pop sensibilities with a darker, more contemplative edge. As part of a discography that spans decades and genres, the song highlights Jackson's ability to evolve while maintaining his distinct musical identity. It remains a significant song in his catalogue, demonstrating his skill in crafting narratives about the passage of time through intricate composition and polished production.


Album Lyrics: Big World [1986]


Joe Jackson
"Big World [1986]"


1. (it's A) Big World
2. Forty Years
3. Shanghai Sky
4. Survival
5. Tango Atlantico
6. The Jet Set