In the cover photo from Rip Tide's 1982 private press 45, the San Diego rockers present like a gang of rapacious beach party pirates, but their lyrics display a more pensive and thoughtful side. "Neutron Crouton," written by piano / organ / synth operator Leo Baird, explores the existential precarity involved with atom splitting.
"Nothing from nothing
That's always the way
Take life for granted
Ain't that what they say
You give me this
And I'll give you that
Shake with the devil
Get stabbed in the back
Sunrise in the morning
What will you, what will you
Bring me today?
Sunshines so high
Sahdows so low
I guess I, I'm getting pulled
From below
Captains of killers
The best you can buy
March into battle
With no reason why
Neutron religion
Preachers of death
Take life for granted
Take your last breath
Sunrise in the morning
What will you, what will you
Bring me today?
Reach for the sky
I don't want to die
I guess I, I'm getting pulled
From below"