About the song
## In The Year 2525: A Futuristic Dystopia
**Zager & Evans**’ “In The Year 2525” is a haunting, prophetic ballad that paints a bleak picture of a future world overrun by technology and devoid of human connection. Released in 1969, the song quickly became a cultural phenomenon, capturing the zeitgeist of a generation grappling with the rapid pace of technological advancement and the potential consequences of unchecked progress.
The song’s introspective lyrics, coupled with its melancholic melody, evoke a sense of longing and despair. The opening lines, “In the year 2525, if man is still alive, will he wonder why he didn’t stop to think before he started to fly?” immediately set the tone for a dystopian narrative, suggesting a future in which humanity’s unchecked ambition and disregard for the environment have led to dire consequences.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the potential pitfalls of technological advancement. The imagery of “a world of paper and machines” suggests a future where human creativity and ingenuity have been supplanted by artificial intelligence and automation. The refrain, “We’ll have no need to be afraid of dying,” is both ironic and chilling, implying that while humanity may have conquered death, it has lost something far more precious: the meaning and purpose of life itself.
The song’s arrangement is equally evocative, with the haunting melody of the electric piano and the rhythmic pulse of the drums creating a sense of foreboding and unease. The harmonies are both intricate and poignant, adding depth and emotional resonance to the lyrics.
“In The Year 2525” is a timeless piece of music that continues to resonate with audiences today. Its message of caution and warning about the potential dangers of unchecked technological progress remains as relevant now as it was when the song was first released. As we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, it is important to remember the lessons of the past and strive to build a future that is both sustainable and fulfilling for all.
Video
Lyrics
In the year 2525, if man is still alive
If woman can survive, they may find
In the year 3535
Ain’t gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lie
Everything you think, do and say
Is in the pill you took today
In the year 4545
You ain’t gonna need your teeth, won’t need your eyes
You won’t find a thing to chew
Nobody’s gonna look at you
In the year 5555
Your arms hangin’ limp at your sides
Your legs got nothin’ to do
Some machine’s doin’ that for you
In the year 6565
You won’t need no husband, won’t need no wife
You’ll pick your son, pick your daughter too
From the bottom of a long glass tube
In the year 7510
If God’s a coming, He oughta make it by then
Maybe He’ll look around Himself and say
Guess it’s time for the judgment day
In the year 8510
God is gonna shake His mighty head
He’ll either say I’m pleased where man has been
Or tear it down, and start again
In the year 9595
I’m kinda wonderin’ if man is gonna be alive
He’s taken everything this old earth can give
And he ain’t put back nothing
Now it’s been ten thousand years
Man has cried a billion tears
For what, he never knew, now man’s reign is through
But through eternal night, the twinkling of starlight
So very far away, maybe it’s only yesterday
In the year 2525, if man is still alive
If woman can survive, they may find