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John Cale – Praetorian Underground (1984) | Track profile | Dork

Tracks
John Cale
Caribbean Sunset
Praetorian Underground

TRACK

Praetorian Underground

Release date: 1984

From Caribbean Sunset

More on John Cale

About This Track

"Praetorian Underground" is a track by John Cale, from the album Caribbean Sunset, released 1984. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about John Cale.

About the Artist

John Cale

John Cale

Lyrics

Praetorian Underground

[Verse 1]

The Ministry of Music's having seconds thoughts again

About the past, ah-hah

To debate and reconsider the evidence at hand

That the destiny of music will corrupt the heart of man

[Chorus]

Defend the fool, offend the fool, defend the fool, offend the fool

Pretend the fool will let you down

[Verse 2]

The world had Krakatoa, an arrogant attitude

What's left of Krakatoa was blown halfway across the world

Into the heart of music, into the heart of men

And angry Praetorian lovers rising up again

[Chorus]

Offend the fool, defend the fool, pretend the fool, pretend the fool

Pretend the fool will let you down

[Guitar and Piano Solos]

[Verse 3]

You can spot the James Dean forgeries by their uncertain ways

Like the underground musicians, nonchalant beggars of the day

Attended to by those accustomed to the brighter path

Pretenders to the Praetorian flame, pretenders to the past

[Chorus]

Offend the fool, offend the fool, offend the fools, offend the fools

A forgery will always let you down

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Caribbean Sunset

1984

Listen

Album

Caribbean Sunset

Release year

1984

—Praetorian Underground
—Caribbean Sunset
—Experiment Number 1
—Where There's a Will
—The Hunt
—Model Beirut Recital
—Magazines
—Villa Albani
—Hungry for Love

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POPtical Illusion

POPtical Illusion

Mercy

Music for a New Society/M:FANS

Music for a New Society/M:FANS

Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood

Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood

Extra Playful: Transitions

Extra Playful

EP: Extra Playful

Live At Rockpalast (Live at Zeche Bochum 06.03.1983 & at Grugahalle Essen 13./14.10.1984)

Live At Rockpalast (Live at Zeche Bochum 06.03.1983 & at Grugahalle Essen 13./14.10.1984)

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Explore

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Shark - SharkPOPtical Illusion

All to the GoodPOPtical Illusion

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How We See the LightPOPtical Illusion

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TIME STANDS STILL (feat. Sylvan Esso)Mercy

EVERLASTING DAYS (feat. Animal Collective)Mercy

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THE LEGAL STATUS OF ICEMercy

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View all tracks by John Cale →

Broken Bird (Music For a New Society)Music for a New Society/M:FANS
4:46
Close Watch (Music For a New Society)Music for a New Society/M:FANS
3:07
Damn Life (Music For a New Society)Music for a New Society/M:FANS
5:14
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5:31
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4:54
NOISE OF YOUMercy
5:16
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6:17
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5:14
Risé, Sam and Rimsky Korsakov (Music For a New Society)Music for a New Society/M:FANS
2:23
Sanctus (Sanities) [Music For a New Society]Music for a New Society/M:FANS
6:07

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Charli XCX has collaborated with John Cale on new track 'House' for the 'Wuthering Heights' soundtrack - and there's an entire album coming

Charli XCX has collaborated with John Cale on new track 'House' for the 'Wuthering Heights' soundtrack - and there's an entire album coming

It's part of a whole album set for release in early December.

7 Nov 2025 • 11:18 am