Song written by Ricky and Marty Wilde. Third track of the album Select.
A dynamic, synth-driven song with some layered vocals by Kim. One of the tracks which defined the sound of the album.
Versions
There are two versions of ‘Action City’: the album version and the instrumental demo.
Cover versions
‘Action City’ was covered in the Czech language as ‘Já Tvé Sny Znám’ by Marie Rottrová.
Marty about ‘Action City’
‘Action City’ was written at a time when our country, I felt, was in an extremely dangerous position. This was basically because of the great social unrest that was taking place. Strangely enough, since then, things have quietened down considerably.
Lyrics
Suddenly there’s a shadow on a nation
Suddenly it’s a changing situation
Fear is on the face of every tiger as the jungle grows
Suddenly people running never walking
Nobody wants to know, nobody’s talking
But rushing through the air
I feel the wind of change about to blow
Watch out tonight, the dogs are down in action city
There out tonight, there’s trouble down in action city
Watching the police running from the station
Suddenly flashing lights and confrotation
The devil walks the streets
Just as the flames of hell begin to grow
Watch out tonight, the dogs are down in action city
There out tonight, there’s trouble down in action city
It’s a brave new world, It’s a brave new world
Such a brave new world
Well I don’t know where it’s going
But it’s heading for some changes I know
People are wondering why there’s such confusion
There is a face of youth with disillusion
Don’t look for the reasons
They were sprayed on every wall I know
Watch out tonight, the dogs are down in action city
There out tonight, there’s trouble down in action city
It’s a brave new world, It’s a brave new world
Such a brave new world
Well I don’t know where it’s going
But it’s heading for some changes I know