The song "High Rise" by Hawkwind is a commentary on the problems of modern urban living, particularly in the context of high-rise apartment blocks. The lyrics describe a world where people are stacked on top of each other like animals in a zoo, living in concrete cube-shaped apartments and experiencing the constant noise of the wind in the antennae. The song suggests that this kind of living is like a suicide machine, with people trapped in a human zoo that is a flypaper for human life. The caged up rage and swarming hornet hive are metaphors for the frustration and anger that can arise from living in such close quarters with others, while the starfish of human blood shape refers to the deadly falls from high-rise apartments. The song calls for rebellion against this kind of living, suggesting that people should tear out the telephones and directories, and wreck the lifts and elevators. This is a call to action to break free from the constraints of modern urban living, and to be a sabotage rebel without applause. Overall, the song "High Rise" is a powerful commentary on the problems of urban living, particularly in the context of high-rise apartments. It highlights the frustration, anger, and danger that can arise from living in such close quarters with others, and calls for rebellion and action to break free from these constraints.
