Oceania

Oceania
Written by Lawrence Gowan
Lead Vocals by Lawrence Gowan

Standing in my place on Airstrip One
Listen to the Voice forever droning on
Now is the time to join Them
Singing the Party Song

Oceania
How did it go so wrong?
Oceania
How did it go so wrong?

Listen to the Ministry of Truth
Someone’s got to guide the thoughts of wayward youth
Nobody’s ever left here
How could they even try

Oceania
Why do we live this lie?
Oceania
Why do we live this lie?

The fight goes on
Till you have won
Another shore to call your boundary
Within your love
We’re never lost
Oh, let your caring arm surround me
Surround me

Oceania
Oh, nothing could ever change
Oceania
Always to be the same
Oceania
Oh, thank-you for your protection
Oceania
You know it's coming, it's coming, it's coming your way

Oceania
No, no, nothing could ever change
Oceania
Always to be the same
Oceania
Oh, thank-you for your protection
Oceania
You know it's coming, it's coming, it's coming your direction

Interpretation

While most may know Oceania as a region encompassing Australia and surrounding islands, given the message of this song (and the timing of its creation), it is clearly referencing the fictional superpower in the classic novel 1984 by George Orwell. Published in 1949, Orwell envisioned a dystopian future dominated by three superstates.  Britain, known as Airstrip One, was part of the nation of Oceania, a totalitarian and oppressive nation that manipulates the population through propaganda and perpetual war. The Ministry of Truth leverages methods such as doublespeak and thoughtcrimes to brainwash the populace.