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Golden Earring — Twilight Zone
Album: Cut
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3482









Released: 1982
Length: 7:45
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(Somewhere in a lonely hotel room, there's a guy starting to realize that eternal fate has turned its back on him.)
(It's two A.M.)

It's two A.M. (It's two A.M.)
The fear has gone (The fear has gone)
I'm sittin' here waitin' (I'm sittin' here waitin')
The gun still warm (The gun still warm)
Maybe my connection is tired of takin' chances

Yeah there's a storm on the loose, sirens in my head
I'm wrapped up in silence, all circuits are dead
I cannot decode, my whole life spins into a frenzy

Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
The place is a madhouse,
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go, now that I've gone too far?
Soon you will come to know,
When the bullet hits the bone
Soon you will come to know,
When the bullet hits the bone

I'm falling down a spiral,
Destination unknown
A double-crossed messenger,
All alone
I can't get no connection,
Can't get through,
Where are you?

Well the night weighs heavy on his guilty mind
This far from the borderline
And when the hit man comes
He knows damn well he has been cheated
And he says

Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
The place is a madhouse,
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go, now that I've gone too far?
Soon you will come to know,
When the bullet hits the bone
Soon you will come to know,
When the bullet hits the bone
When the bullet hits the bone

Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
The place is a madhouse,
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go, now that I've gone too far?

Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
The place is a madhouse,
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go, now that I've gone too far?
Soon you will come to know,
When the bullet hits the bone
Soon you will come to know,
When the bullet hits the bone
When the bullet hits the bone
When the bullet hits the bone
When the bullet hits the bone
When the bullet hits the bone
Comments (343)add comment
Wretched, over-played, completely lacking anything remotely interesting musically or lyrically.  And over 7 minutes long....just no. 
Love a good pick scrape!
Golden Earring, NL (Holland's) most long excisting and popular rock-band. The photo possibly does not depict the 40-50 year long line-up, Cesar Zuiderwijk, the drummer and Rinus Gerritsen, the bassist are missing, it seems other musicians!. The band tried to win America, end '70-s, beginning '80's, but failed, due to , I think, to mainly Am. chauvinism, very common at that time. Not a lack of real quality! These guys, in the music industry als long as the Rolling Stones, deserve more attention! PK. 
'feels like being st....'
 siskinbob wrote:

Me too. At the age of 65 this is my first time for this song. Love it.


Mind blown this is your first time, love that you love it!

 KZEL 96.1 made this the anthem of my high school years.  Played on the dial radio in my first cars. VW Diesel Rabbit, bright yellow. And an old Saab hatchback that thinking back, must'v leaked exhaust into the passenger compartment. On our way to keggers, shhhhh. Anyway, thanks to Golden Earring and RP for bumping me down memory lane.
Really nice ! LONG version...thanks
 cosmiclint wrote:
How did I have this at 8?
 
Corrected.



Convinced me to move mine to 10. 
How did I have this at 8?
 
Corrected.
 lizardking wrote:

In your opinion of course!

Yes, that really does go without saying.
Did you know Radio Paradise has a skip button? Good thing to remind us after playing this song, lol.

I love Twilight Zone too but realize not a lot of people here may not. That's why the station is the best!
 primm wrote:
{#Fever} still dig the cut and still one of my favorite videos from the mtv heyday


They didn't have many videos to play back then on MTV, so we saw this one over and over. I can still see the bullet cutting through the card on the album cover. 
 Iskaral_Pust wrote:

"Feels like being cloned"
So that's what that line is. Uh, what does that feel like?



Make it stop.

Ahhh, the memories.  9 for me...
Nice play (October 23rd, 2022)
This is my go-to song whenever I need to get rid of a nasty earworm song!  I just sing this part in my head for a few hours, and done!

Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
The place is a madhouse,
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go, now that I've gone too far?
Soon you will come to know,
When the bullet hits the bone
Soon you will come to know,
When the bullet hits the bone
 milleymeister wrote:
Gen x I heard this when it first came out I guess
 
Yep, me too.  I remember this was in heavy airplay on our album rock station in Arizona around October-November 1982.  It's interesting seeing how some songs from that era ended up being forgotten, while others like this one survived as classics that almost every adult has heard.


Fiddlefye wrote:

Now all we need is some Focus!



joejennings wrote:



You bet!!

Hocus Pocus has been heard here on RP but not frequently. An acquired taste. Pleased my palate when I first heard it that I've had the LP some 50 years.

 tomdpix1 wrote:

Do people play Twilight Zone to prove that Golden Earring was not a one hit wonder?  IMHO, GE was a one hit wonder.



Radar Love, my man.  
 Schmoogsley wrote:

Always hated this song. Bill, why are you playing commercial garbage like this? I remember when this was played on the radio, over and over and over again. UGH! 


H8
Gen x I heard this when it first came out I guess
I had no idea this band had such a long career. Wow.
 lizardking wrote:

In your opinion of course!  I'm at an 8 on this one based on how bad ass the beat is, and the FLAC stream kicks extra-ass....thanks BillnRebecca!!  Long Live RP!!


With today's technology, perhaps you could remix it to your liking. To be honest I change the channel a lot of times when Neil Young starts screeching. A remix probably won't help my case. Golden Earing Twilight Zone is a classic to me. 
 tomdpix1 wrote:

Do people play Twilight Zone to prove that Golden Earring was not a one hit wonder?  IMHO, GE was a one hit wonder.



One hit wonder?
Never been in the Netherlands, I guess
Rocking groove that never gets old!
 msbolton wrote:
Me too and I'm 73 this month.

Where were youse guyz? It hit #1 in the US.
 rontelcm1 wrote:

The band is still active. As a native Dutch I am rather proud of this


Thanks for jinxing them 
First time i've heard this, 10s in and i was already dancing in the twilight zone.
 siskinbob wrote:

Me too. At the age of 65 this is my first time for this song. Love it.



Me too and I'm 73 this month.
 tomdpix1 wrote:

Do people play Twilight Zone to prove that Golden Earring was not a one hit wonder?  IMHO, GE was a one hit wonder.



A 'one-hit-wonder' that's been around for half a century, though. 
Super!! Nederlandse Band,  Woot!! 
 tomdpix1 wrote:

Do people play Twilight Zone to prove that Golden Earring was not a one hit wonder?  IMHO, GE was a one hit wonder.



What are you talking about!? They were maybe a one hit wonder, until their next hit!
 siskinbob wrote:

Me too. At the age of 65 this is my first time for this song. Love it.


For me, this is about the 500th time.  No matter, I still like it. I like the train engine beat that's rock and roll.
Proud Dutchie here: So cool to hear GE at Radio Paradise.
 huib wrote:

De Earring, altijd goed!



🇳🇱
De Earring, altijd goed!
Golden Earring was one of the longest established bands in the world, with a classical line-up that remained together for more than half a century. The group was founded in 1961 in The Hague and quickly developed into one of the figureheads of the thriving beat scene. The Golden Earrings, as the band was initially called, subsequently managed to adapt effortlessly to new times. After a psychedelic phase, Golden Earring found its own energetic rock sound in 1970 and its permanent line-up with Barry Hay (vocals, flute, guitar), George Kooymans (guitar, vocals), Rinus Gerritsen (bass, keys) and Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums).

The great success came in 1973 with the album Moontan and the international hit Radar Love. Golden Earring toured North America with great success. Subsequent albums were made with successively Robert Jan Stips (keyboards) and Eelco Gelling (guitar) as additional band member. At the end of the seventies, the success steadily declined, after which the band – now again as a trusted foursome – considered stopping. However, the intended farewell album with the revealing title Cut was such a success that it was decided to continue. Extra motivation in that regard was the top 10 hit that was scored in America with Twilight Zone.

From the mid-eighties, Golden Earring focused again on its own country. In the decades that followed, the band continued to perform tirelessly, with acoustic theater tours also proving a great success. The Naked Truth registrations of those shows also resulted in new sales successes for the band. In 2015, the 50th (record) anniversary was celebrated with a sold-out performance in the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. Three years earlier, the studio album Tits 'n Ass had been released. The swan song, as it turned out. At the beginning of 2021, it was announced that George Kooymans was suffering from the neurological disorder ALS, which was reason for the band to stop immediately. An event that was experienced by countless fans and colleagues as the end of an era.
 acolt wrote:

This song is almost as old as I am, but feels like it could have been released last year (35-year difference in production aside). Just one of those amazing under-the-radar rock 'n roll classics.




Pun intended of course?!!
Do people play Twilight Zone to prove that Golden Earring was not a one hit wonder?  IMHO, GE was a one hit wonder.
Great tune!!
 Fiddlefye wrote:

Now all we need is some Focus!




You bet!!
such a great tune, great band
Forty years later and the gun's still warm..    Golden Earring Rocks!
Now all we need is some Focus!
 rontelcm1 wrote:

The band is still active. As a native Dutch I am rather proud of this






In February, 2021, Kooymans announced that he was suffering from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and would retire. Shortly afterward, Golden Earring announced they would disband
I have heard this song before but never knew it was by Golden Earring. I always thought it was a British band. 

I like the stomping rock groove with the dark hook! Thank you again RP for your interesting mixes of music!
Love this song when i was a senior in high school, damn i am old
 rontelcm1 wrote:

The band is still active. As a native Dutch I am rather proud of this


And I am longer native Dutch than you are 


cool guitar sounds

Terrific guitar solo section and outro solo. Love his phrasing and placement of open notes. Just delicious!
Just transported back to my neighbors basement  ~’83 dancing ecstatically after my first bong hit 
totally in the flow
 4rens wrote:
Rinus Gerritsen, one of the gitarist, is very sick (ALS) so the band has stopped playing.
 

Not Rinus but George Kooymans has ALS. The band stops indeed.
Rinus Gerritsen, one of the gitarist, is very sick (ALS) so the band has stopped playing.
 rontelcm1 wrote:
The band is still active. As a native Dutch I am rather proud of this
 

As of 5 February 2021, that is sadly no longer true, according to Wikipedia:

"The band announced on 5 February 2021 that it would stop playing after founding band member George Kooymans was diagnosed with ALS."
Well...Another Radar Lover's Gone...
 the_jake wrote:
I still like this song, but I do not recall it being as long as this cut is at 7:45
The radio stations must have edited it down to 3 or 4 minutes at most way back then.
 
Yeah, me too.  Although with about 3 minutes of 'When the bullet hits the bone' being repeated I can understand why the radio edit.
like this one.with the best voice of the earing. George kooymans.  
Not bad, but not particularly good 😌 Soz folks! 4.
I still like this song, but I do not recall it being as long as this cut is at 7:45
The radio stations must have edited it down to 3 or 4 minutes at most way back then.
 siskinbob wrote:

Me too. At the age of 65 this is my first time for this song. Love it.
 
Really?! How did you avoid hearing it on any rock station or MTV for the past 40 years?
Pretty nice work by these Cloggies
Masterpiece since 1982.
Golden Earring, Focus, the Smurfs and 2Unlimited. 
 rontelcm1 wrote:
The band is still active. As a native Dutch I am rather proud of this
 

Fantastic group. I've seen them in the Paradiso in Amsterdam in the 70ies
 reijkman wrote:
Barry Hay playing the Twilight Zone pinball machine (Bally, 1993). The bass riff of the eponymous song is part of the main soundtrack of the game. Supposedly, a special deal for this was made back in the days, all members of the Golden Earring would get a Twilight Zone pinball game, but eventually only George Kooijmans (GE composer and guitarist) got one (and still has it today).
 

Cool story!  Thx for posting.
This song is almost as old as I am, but feels like it could have been released last year (35-year difference in production aside). Just one of those amazing under-the-radar rock 'n roll classics.
I was an 18 yr old paratrooper stationed at Ft Bragg, NC who this came out. I remember a cover band playing this at The Flaming Mug, a local Fayette-nam establishment. Good shit!
Very much a successor in structure to 'Radar Love.' With that rythmy break in the middle...
Barry Hay playing the Twilight Zone pinball machine (Bally, 1993). The bass riff of the eponymous song is part of the main soundtrack of the game. Supposedly, a special deal for this was made back in the days, all members of the Golden Earring would get a Twilight Zone pinball game, but eventually only George Kooijmans (GE composer and guitarist) got one (and still has it today).
Wretched excess.
 lizardking wrote:

In your opinion of course!  I'm at an 8 on this one based on how bad ass the beat is, and the FLAC stream kicks extra-ass....thanks BillnRebecca!!  Long Live RP!!
 +1
9
 t0m5k1 wrote:
Why is my brain thinking Pink Floyd ?
 
isn't the percussion
Hard to drive the speed limit when "Radar Love" or this GREAT SONG are on the radio.
The band is still active. As a native Dutch I am rather proud of this
Great song for the Covid plague time. "Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
The place is a madhouse,..."
 GOOD at work tune 
Why is my brain thinking Pink Floyd ?
 ToddyWoddy wrote:
People remember this one and Radar Love but these cats have been around since 1965. Great band. 
 
Wiki says 1961 - 59 years! Dang!
 Typesbad wrote:
"Feels like being cloned"  
So that's what that line is.  Uh, what does that feel like?
 
"Feels like being cloned"
So that's what that line is. Uh, what does that feel like?
80's commercial "AOR"  rock at it's best.
YESSSSSS!!!
 ace-marc wrote:
seriously?
this song sucks when I hear it on crappy radio stations so it super sucks to hear it on the magnificent RP!
 
Brilliant song, and a very good album. I wore out my cassette tape so many years ago.
 justin4kick wrote:
Radar Love (1973) and Twilight Zone (1982), their biggest hits, were both tracks the band recorded as a farewell song before they would break up. Then the international success came and made them decide otherwise. At least that's what lead singer Barry Hay claimed on Dutch TV this week.

This year they are 50 years together in the original setup under the name Golden Earring. Before that they called themselves The Golden Earrings.
 
Cool share!  And that's the complete opposite of what Jim Carrey did, when he wrote himself a $1,000,000 check knowing he'd be famous one day and would be good for it....I kinda like the 'unexpected success' story better!  Long Live RP and kicking ass and not expecting to!!
Radar Love (1973) and Twilight Zone (1982), their biggest hits, were both tracks the band recorded as a farewell song before they would break up. Then the international success came and made them decide otherwise. At least that's what lead singer Barry Hay claimed on Dutch TV this week.

This year they are 50 years together in the original setup under the name Golden Earring. Before that they called themselves The Golden Earrings.
People remember this one and Radar Love but these cats have been around since 1965. Great band. 
 Shaken_Bake wrote:
A tragically appropriate song today, after the Las Vegas massacre of last night...  {#Sad}
 
There have been plenty more since then.

Try the old "thoughts and prayers" routine - a telling demonstration of the power of prayer.

Then reflect on why the USA is a dysfunctional mess headed up by a Russian asset.
I remember the video - leather teddies!!
 ace-marc wrote:
seriously?
this song sucks when I hear it on crappy radio stations so it super sucks to hear it on the magnificent RP!
 
In your opinion of course!  I'm at an 8 on this one based on how bad ass the beat is, and the FLAC stream kicks extra-ass....thanks BillnRebecca!!  Long Live RP!!
seriously?
this song sucks when I hear it on crappy radio stations so it super sucks to hear it on the magnificent RP!
A quintessential tune in '82, still rips today. Love the open note rung out in each guitar solo, tasty stuff.
Strange choice to have a weird backup singer on the first part and then abandon that strategy for the rest of the song...
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Not sure if it is a rhythm guitar in drop 'D' or the bass in upper register but some parts of this are very repetitive - just like a tape loop. Yet the lead guitarist is given reign to do as he wants - free the bass I say!
 
Dude, he's keeping the pocket. That's what really good bassists do. I should know. I was married to one for a decade.
One of the fun ones. ;)
Every library should have this one. Blows Radar Love outta the water.
taking me back 
Not sure if it is a rhythm guitar in drop 'D' or the bass in upper register but some parts of this are very repetitive - just like a tape loop. Yet the lead guitarist is given reign to do as he wants - free the bass I say!
Gosh how could I ever miss this one? I've heard it of course, but it wasn't in my subconscious list of great stuff to keep forever.
Until now. Gotta get it right away ...  {#Good-vibes}  {#Clap}

seems you lost your 'Focus'

{#Wink}

strous wrote:

Our Dutch pride since late 60's. Still doing gigs in Holland!!

 


Love it! Try keeping it at the speed limit while this is cranked{#Motor}
Love the guitar break!
A tragically appropriate song today, after the Las Vegas massacre of last night...  {#Sad}
{#Fever} still dig the cut and still one of my favorite videos from the mtv heyday
 DrLex wrote:
This is actually the first time in my life that I hear a different song from these guys than “Radar Love”. Yet another one of the many reasons why I listen to Radio Paradise.

 
Me too. At the age of 65 this is my first time for this song. Love it.
 Schmoogsley wrote:
Always hated this song. Bill, why are you playing commercial garbage like this? I remember when this was played on the radio, over and over and over again. UGH! 
 
I understand, really I do. But there is a magic button labeled PSD which will take you away from the ones you don't like.

You're just wrong about this one but that's okay. {#Cheesygrin} 
"Feels like being cloned"  
So that's what that line is.  Uh, what does that feel like?
 nevar23 wrote:
I still love this song despite it's oversaturation on rock radio and in the early days of MTV.
 
Agreed! One of my favorite sing-alongs in the car.

I somehow try to image an indie remake of it but I can't quite get there. There is something about the rhythm that I think could work. Better to leave a classic alone.
 nevar23 wrote:
I still love this song despite it's oversaturation on rock radio and in the early days of MTV. ...... 40 years ago.
 
(bold text above is mine)  

How can you dislike a song that starts in such a "Miami Vice" manner?

It's two AM, the fear has gone.
I'm sitting here waiting, the gun still warm.
Maybe my connection is tired of taking chances
 Schmoogsley wrote:
Always hated this song. Bill, why are you playing commercial garbage like this? I remember when this was played on the radio, over and over and over again. UGH! 

 
What?
Okay, so we've heard Radar Love and now Twilight Zone all within a few hours of each other. How about something different like Vanilla Queen or Candy's Going Bad?

Vive la différence 

{#Stupid} 
 Schmoogsley wrote:
Always hated this song. Bill, why are you playing commercial garbage like this? I remember when this was played on the radio, over and over and over again. UGH! 

 
Yeah, well... most people don't.  Considering that that was over 30 years ago.  Let the young folks dig it and (quietly) hit the PSD button.   Problem solved.  YEA!
 nevar23 wrote:
I still love this song despite it's oversaturation on rock radio and in the early days of MTV.
 
Yes, but it would be nice to hear something a little more obscure.
"Vanilla Queen" from Moontan, maybe?
I still love this song despite it's oversaturation on rock radio and in the early days of MTV.
A band still performing. Started in the 60's form The Hague 
Always hated this song. Bill, why are you playing commercial garbage like this? I remember when this was played on the radio, over and over and over again. UGH! 
Just awhile ago Doe Maar, now The Earring :- )
 
Oh God....see ya'! Amen for PSD
I was shooting billiards and drinking beer in a dark and divey bar when this first came over the speakers and blew us all away... I love the all-out rocking style of this group! Their amazing success is even more impressive considering that they wrote and hit it big with such landmark songs, so confidently, and, in a frickin' foreign language, too! It's a hell of a run they had, and making a couple of "forever cool" songs is quite a legacy! Bravo!
It's awesome that these guys were on last week's "The Grand Tour."