The Industry
Navigating Betrayal and Lost Ideals: Okkervil River's 'The Industry' Reflection
Lyrics
I thought that it was us against the world
I believed it was a united "us" against the challenges of the world.
But now it's me against something so big and abstract
Now, I'm facing something vast and abstract alone, unable to identify it.
That I can't tell what it is
The nature of the challenge is unclear.
All while you're out there, grinding on some poor girl
You're engaging with another person while I'm dealing with this struggle.
Who is backstage at the 6.8 rock fest
This person is at a rock festival, emphasizing a sense of distance and disconnection.
I thought that you'd be on our side
I expected you to support our shared cause.
I tuned it out when I heard you shit-talking our friends
You dismissed our friends, possibly criticizing them.
Well, I wasn't free-falling, we're terrified
Contrary to free-falling, we're terrified in our current situation.
And everyone's just out to grab what they can get
People are selfishly pursuing their own interests.
I thought I had a bunch of friends, I guess
I thought I had friends, but they were upset with me for unknown reasons.
I just had people pissed at me for shit
The music industry's cheapening reflects negatively on us.
And the cheaper that the music starts to get
As music becomes cheaper, it devalues our worth.
It's like they're trying to make us cheap along with it
The industry pressures us to compromise our integrity.
I watched you turn into your very opposite
You transformed into everything we once resisted.
Into everything we were trying to reject
We rejected certain values, and you embraced them.
And I figured you had had enough of it
I thought you had enough of this lifestyle.
Watching the whole world turn while all you earned was "respect"
While seeking "respect," you're witnessing the world change negatively.
And look at us; just two dumb country hicks
We, simple country folks, aspire to infiltrate the VIP scene.
Trying to bum-rush that VIP
Attempting to enter the exclusive space of the privileged.
Up there, out where the beautiful people live
Questioning if becoming part of the glamorous world was our true desire.
But is that ever who we even wanted to be?
Raising doubts about the authenticity of our aspirations.
Do you remember, baby, back in '96?
Recalling the nostalgic time of 1996.
When some record was enough to make you raise your fist?
Music had the power to evoke strong emotions and unity.
When some singer'd make you sure that you exist?
A singer's impact made individuals feel their existence profoundly.
Well, I never thought I'd feel like that again
Unexpectedly experiencing a similar feeling in the present.
Just let go
Letting go of preconceived notions or expectations.
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