Album: Welcome To The Pleasuredome (1984)
Charted: 1 43
Play Video
  • The air attack warning sounds like
    This is the sound

    When you hear the air attack warning
    You and your family must take cover

    Ah, ah, ah
    Ah, ah, ah

    Let's go, oh, oh, oh

    When two tribes go to war
    One is all that you can score
    (Score no more, score no more)
    When two tribes go to war
    Money's all that you can score
    (Workin' for the black hats)

    Cowboy number one
    A born again poor man's son
    (Poor man's son)
    On the air America
    I modeled shirts for Van Heusen
    (Workin' for the black hats) yeah

    When two tribes go to war
    Money's all that you can score
    (Score no more, score no more)
    When two tribes go to war
    One is all that you can score
    (Workin' for the black hats)

    Switch up your shield
    Switch up and feel
    I'm walkin' out, lover hey, yeah
    I'm givin' you back a good time
    I'm shippin' out, out
    I'm workin' for the black hats

    Tell the world that you're winning
    loving life, loving life

    Listen to the voice sing, follow me
    Listen to the voice sing, follow me oh

    When two tribes go to war
    Money's all that you can score
    When two tribes go to war
    Money's all that you can score

    We got two tribes
    We got the spunk
    We got the spunk, yeah, yeah
    Sock it to me biscuits

    (Are we living in a land where sex and horror are the new gods yeah?)

    When two tribes go to war
    Money's all that you can score Writer/s: Holly Johnson, Mark William OToole, Peter Gill
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

  • Jerry Hunter from Oklahoma City, OkThe line is “working for the black hats”. The “black hats” are a common term that references less-than-scrupulous private security firms (aka mercenaries) working “black ops” where plausible deniability is critical.
  • Mike from United KingdomI've always assumed that the lyrics "When two tribes go to war, A point is all that you can score" refers to the points system in a football/soccer league where it's three points for win, one point for a draw. So the song is saying that in the case of a nuclear war, nobody wins and the only result possible is a draw.
  • Dave from UsaIsn't "Workin' for the black mask" supposed to be black GAS... as in "oil"?
  • Andrew from MalaysiaWould certainly love to watch a 2018 remake of the video featuring Donald Trump wrestling with Vladimir Putin!
  • Darren from Bedford, United Kingdomre: soviet leader. considering they had 4 different leaders in 2.5 years it easy to get confused
  • Darren from Bedford, United KingdomThe single was #1 for 9 weeks in the UK
  • Jon from Scotland, United KingdomUnlike "Relax!", the BBC had no objections about "Two Tribes" being played on BBC Radio One. The video, however, was banned on decency grounds (pretty tame by today's standards). Instead of showing the video on the Top Of The Pops music show, the band played the song "live" in front of the audience. Several months later, the BBC lifted the ban on the "Two Tribes" video and for the song "Relax!" ITV aired a slightly edited version of the video, but Channel Four broadcast the video for "Two Tribes" in it's entirety.
  • Steve from Aylesbury, United KingdomThe voice of Reagan for the recording sessions, which included FGHT's cover of Edwin Starr's "War" was none other than Chris Barrie - then a voice over artist for TV's Spitting Image, later to be Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf.
  • Andy from Orlando, FlAgreed, the 12" "Carnage" mix of Two Tribes is a Trevor Horn masterpiece in every sense of the word. I cannot hear the song any other way. Also, the 12" "Annihilation" Mix is excellent; not quite as lush in the orchestration, but more like a bomb going off on the dance floor! Frankie along with Depeche completely transformed the 12" single concept. You got your money's worth back in the 80's.
  • Pete from Ny, NyThose constant remixes and versions were also highly annoying and tended to dilute the impact of the hit. The extended 7-minute version of this (the one you heard on alternative radio and in the clubs) was a flat-out sonic masterpiece, hugely influential. The short, rockier version on the LP stunk, with none of the amazing twists and turns of the big mix. Seek out the long version only!
  • Tom from Newark, DeUhhhh....first off that was not Breshnev in the video, it was Constantin Chernyenko(sp?) who was the Soviet leader in 1984 when this song & video where made. Second, who said it was Andropov?
  • Ydur from Knoxville, TnThat's Breshnev, not Andropov in the video.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.