The song Yellow Pearl by Ultravox is a collaboration between the British new wave band Ultravox and the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. It was written as the theme song for the television show "Top of the Pops" in 1981. The lyrics of the song convey a sense of warning and urgency. The "Yellow Pearl" symbolizes a dangerous and powerful force that must be approached with caution. The repeated refrain of "attack, attack, attack, attack" emphasizes the need for action and defense. The song suggests that venturing into unknown and enchanted places can be foolish unless they align with our desired path. It warns against capitalizing on love and liberty for personal gain and condemns the exploitation of the poor for socialistic ideals. The lyrics also speak of rising up, taking control, and commanding and patrolling our surroundings. There is a call to fight back against the forces that try to control us and to resist losing control ourselves. The phrase "Yellow Pearl's upon us now" suggests that the influence or threat of the Yellow Pearl is currently present and must be confronted. The song encourages unity and emphasizes that the responsibility lies with "we" and "they" to arise, control, command, and patrol. Additionally, there is a mention of not trusting in liberty to save one's soul, implying that relying solely on freedom and independence may not be enough to protect oneself. The lyrics suggest that losing control can lead to devastating consequences, including genocide. Overall, the song Yellow Pearl conveys a sense of caution, urging listeners to be aware of dangerous forces and to take action to protect themselves and their ideals.
