Aftershock – Billy Idol


Shock…

Shock…

Aftershock

Shake it up now

Aftershock

There was a trial

Like a fire

It lit the world that night

Ah, justice, truth, and the American way

I said liberty, treason

Loss of reason

Aw yeah

Say a prayer ’cause the world still burns

Yeah

Alright

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shake it up now

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shake it up now

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shake it up now

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shake it up now, alright

Shake it up now

Shake it up

Shake it up now

Shake it up now

Shake it up

On the stand of the man who gave up his rights that night

Oh yeah

Battered, bloody, bruised and [?]

The gang of four still feed, that’s right

It’s hot in the city tonight

If we ride tonight

I’m gonna make you learn

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shake it up now

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shake it up now

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shake it up now

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shake it up now

Shock…

Shock…

Shake it up now

Shock…

Shock…

Alright

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shock…

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shock…

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Shake it up now

The aftershock, the aftershock, the aftershock to the system

Alright

Alright

Alright

Alright

Shake it up now

I D

Shake it up now

Shake it up now

Shake it up now

Shake it up now

I D O L

Shake it up now

Shake it up now

Exploring the Impact of “Aftershock”

Billy Idol’s “Aftershock” is a raw, electrifying anthem that channels the turbulence of societal upheaval and personal rebellion. Through its repetitive chorus and urgent calls to “shake it up now,” the song captures the emotional intensity that follows moments of crisis or injustice. Idol references themes of liberty, treason, and loss of reason, evoking the chaos that can erupt when foundational values are challenged. The imagery of a trial and the phrase “aftershock to the system” suggest a reckoning with authority and a demand for change. The relentless energy of the song mirrors the lingering effects of a societal shockwave, urging listeners not to remain passive but to confront and transform their realities.

Song Credits

  • Artist: Billy Idol
  • Songwriters: Billy Idol, Mark Younger-Smith
  • Release Year: 1993
  • Label: Chrysalis Records

Categories:
Uncategorized