Two Tribes

Two Tribes' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood explores the futility and destructiveness of conflict, particularly the cold war tensions of the 1980s, emphasizing that in war, nobody truly wins.

Two Tribes' is not just a catchy pop song from the 1980s; it's a powerful commentary on the omnipresent tensions of the Cold War era, wrapped in a high-energy, danceable track. The song captures the absurdity and the inevitable loss that comes with conflict, particularly highlighting how political and military tensions translate into public fear and aggression. The repeated line, 'A point is all that you can score,' underlines the minimal gains from such massive ideological battles, suggesting that the real effects of these conflicts are human losses rather than any meaningful victories. The lyrics subtly critique the societal and political landscape of the time, referencing the 'black gas' and the casual mention of 'the bomb,' illustrating the looming threat of nuclear warfare. With a tone that mixes sarcasm with a somber warning, the song asks if society has reached a point where 'sex and horror are the new Gods,' reflecting on how sensationalism and fear dominate public consciousness, overshadowing more humane concerns and leading to a cycle of perpetual antagonism between 'two tribes'—metaphorically representing conflicting powers or ideologies.