The lyrics are somewhat vague but seem to reference the 1951 Paramount Pictures science fiction film When Worlds Collide, which was based on a 1933 novel of the same title. The film is about a scientist (Cole Hendron) who tries to warn the world about a rogue star that is on course to collide with Earth. He tries to win support to build arks that can get a few people off Earth and to the planet Zyra. He eventually succeeds, but there's only enough room for a small number of people, and escapees are chosen by lottery. After much drama, Hendron makes it to Zyra with some others. The "When Worlds Collide" song seems to be written from the perspective of one of those people left behind on the soon-to-be-destroyed Earth in the film, as indicated by lyrics: What is it really That's going on here You've got the system for total control Now is there anybody out there Now watch us suffer here cause we can't go Powerman 5000's early image, particularly with the Tonight the Stars Revolt! album, was centered around campy science fiction, so it makes sense that they are referencing the film.
Powerman 5000 frontman Spider One said the song is about socioeconomic classes, so he's likely using the film's narrative as an allegory for broader social concerns.
"When Worlds Collide" is one of Powerman 5000's most popular songs, riding in the wake of the industrial metal sound pushed forward by Nine Inch Nails. 1999 was also a time before downloads became popular, so people bought albums. The song led their third album, Tonight the Stars Revolt!, to over a million in sales.
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