[Verse 1: Neil Tennant]
I can remember when this was the future
Where it was gonna be at back then
Why don't we tear the whole bloody lot down
And make a new start all over again?

[Verse 2: Chris Lowe]
I can recall utopian thinking
Bold mission statements and tightening of belts
Demolition of familiar landmarks
Promises made and deals that were dealt

[Chorus: Neil Tennant]
This used to be the future
Where it was at back then
Let's tear the whole bloody lot down
And start all over again

[Bridge: Phil Oakey and Neil Tennant]
But that future was exciting
Science fiction made fact
Now all we have to look forward to
Is a sort of suicide pact
Was it the dear old future
That created the problems we face?
How do we deal with the fallout
Of the age we used to call space?
[Verse 3: Neil Tennant and Phil Oakey]
I can remember planning for leisure
Living in peace and freedom from fear
Science that promised to make us a new world
Religion and prejudice disappear

[Verse 4: Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe]
I can remember when this was the future
Where it was gonna be at back then
Now religion and nuclear energy have united
To threaten, oh God! Amen

[Bridge: Phil Oakey and Neil Tennant]
This used to be the future
Where it was at back then
Now religion and nuclear energy have united
Oh God! Amen
Was it the dear old future
That created the problems we face?
How do we deal with the fallout
Of the age we used to call space?

[Chorus: Neil Tennant]
This used to be the future
Where it was at back then
Let's tear the whole bloody lot down
And start all over again
[Spoken Outro: Phil Oakey]
Amen