The song "Fahrenheit 451" by Hawkwind is inspired by the dystopian novel of the same name by Ray Bradbury. The novel is set in a future society where books are outlawed and burned by the government in order to control and manipulate the population. In the song, the band imagines a scenario where the Library of Congress in Lexington is burned for charity, with crowds of people gathering to watch the spectacle. The song describes the flames and smoke, and compares the burning to a mushroom cloud. The lyrics also reference the historical practice of burning witches at the stake, describing the burning books as being like the air-filled caves where witches were burned. The song suggests that the burning of books is a form of spectacle that can hypnotize and enchant people, leading them to willingly participate in the destruction of knowledge. Overall, "Fahrenheit 451" is a critique of censorship and the dangers of a society that seeks to eliminate freedom of thought and expression. The song warns against the seductive power of spectacle and the importance of defending intellectual liberty.
