What does Killing an Arab mean?

The Cure: Killing an Arab Meaning

Tagged:   No tags, suggest one.
Album cover for Killing an Arab album cover

Song Released: 1978


Killing an Arab Lyrics

Standing on the beach
With a gun in my hand
Staring at the sea
Staring at the sand
Staring down the barrel
At the arab on the ground
I can see his open mouth
But I hear no sound
I’m alive
I’m dead
I’m the stranger
Killing an arab

I...

  1. 1TOP RATED

    #1 top rated interpretation:
    Modlovecat
    click a star to vote
    Jul 16th 2005 !⃝

    Inspired by Albert Camus' book The Stranger (also known as The Outsider). It is not a racist song, but still caused a lot of controversy because many people assumed it was due to the title. The book deals with existentialism, and the title "Killing An Arab" was taken from a passage where the main character thinks about the emptiness of life after killing a man on a beach.

  2. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Oct 10th 2019 !⃝

    In my opinion: This is about his rant against his girlfriend at the time, this felt as killing afterwards. She is dark, therefore he mentions her an Arab.
    See also Fire in Cairo, about the 'fire' between them. It is about the woman he is is still with.
    It is the phenomenon that one can 'kill' the one he of she loves the most, because one is afraid for the real love.


More The Cure songs »


 


Latest Articles

 


Submit Your Interpretation

[ want a different song? ]




Just Posted

Sad Girl anonymous
Black Sabbath anonymous
Idea of Her anonymous
Chasin' You anonymous
Sand In My Boots anonymous
Bitch's Brew anonymous
Baby, Oh No anonymous
Hard to Say I'm Sorry anonymous
Sound Effects and Over Dramatics anonymous
WYD Now anonymous
I Started A Joke anonymous
Cinnamon Girl anonymous
Devil Doesn't Bargain anonymous
I'm an Albatraoz anonymous
Ocean Breathes Salty anonymous

(We won't give out your email)