Hell In Paradise
Yoko Ono · Starpeace [1997]
We're all asleep or paralyzed
Why are we scared to verbalize
Our multicolor dreams?
When will we come to realize
We're all stoned or pacified
While the boogie men organize
Their multilevel schemes
Underqualified for love
Overqualified for life
Sticking our heads in slime
Thinking we're in our prime
Mesmerized by mythology
Hypnotized by ideology
Antagonized by reality
Vandalized by insanity
Desensitized by fraternity
Sanitized by policy
Jeopardized by lunacy
This is hell
Penalized by apathy
And living in the world of fantasy
Dancing on hot coal, waiting for the last call
It's Adam's ball, Eve's call
Wake up, shake up
Check out, work out, speak out
Reach out, it's time to, time to, time to
To, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to
This is hell in paradise
None of us wish to recognize
But do we want them to materialize
An endangered species?
Exorcise institution
Exercise intuition
Mobilize transition
With inspiration for life
Hell In Paradise
Yoko Ono's "Hell In Paradise" stands as a haunting centerpiece on her 1997 album *Starpeace*, blending her signature avant-garde sensibilities with the atmospheric textures of the late 1990s. The track exemplifies her ability to merge personal narrative with broader social commentary, utilizing sparse instrumentation to evoke a sense of existential dread and spiritual yearning. Released during a period where Ono continued to explore themes of peace and environmental stewardship, the song reflects her ongoing commitment to using music as a vehicle for introspection and activism. Its enduring appeal lies in its minimalist approach, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics and the sonic landscape to resonate deeply without relying on conventional production techniques.