Snakes and Martyrs
Uniting in Disconnection: TV On The Radio's Snakes and Martyrs
Lyrics
Everyone makes the same wave
Everyone follows a similar trend or action
At the same time
Simultaneously
(like pebbles on water)
Similar to ripples on water
And we call all those interrupting lines
Refers to these deviations as children of society
(sons and daughters)
Labeling these deviations as offspring
A community
Emphasizing a sense of belonging
So lets join hands in song
Encouragement to unite through music
Blessed unity
Recognizing a divine state of togetherness
But brother, I don't wanna know you
Disinterest in forming a connection with someone
I don't even wanna know you
Strong disavowal of wanting to know the person
And sister, I don't wanna know you
Similar disinterest in knowing a sister
I don't even wanna know you
Continued disavowal of connection
But we're trapped
Feeling stuck in a chaotic but beautiful situation
In this lovely mess
Being trapped in a complicated scenario
I hold you close and smile
Feigning happiness like those in the western culture
Fake, like they do way out west
Falsely portraying emotions like others do
So many medicines
Various remedies for different issues
For so many heads
Willingness to assist in resolving personal problems
And I'd help you clean the skeletons
Offering help to confront hidden troubles
From under your bed but
I don't even know you
Perplexed about being the one to offer aid
How could it be me that sends you?
Questioning their role in assisting
Darling, didn't your mama
Advising against being manipulated by strangers
Tell you not to let no stranger bend you?
Referencing maternal guidance about strangers
Probably someone here that could
Suggesting the presence of someone else who could help
Help to mend you
Recognizing personal limitations in helping
But it's not me
Declaring personal emotional struggles
Got my own anxiety
Expressing personal anxiety and difficulties
Sadness isn't any way to explain
Claiming sadness isn't an adequate explanation
You'll probably crash heads throughout
Expectation of conflicts despite empathy
(i know you're crying tonight,)
Acknowledging the listener's emotional state
The force of this place
Perceiving the intensity of the environment
(no end in sight)
Indicating an indefinite continuation of turmoil
It's as simple as the way
Commenting on a person's style of dressing
You wear your untied shoes(?)
Noticing someone's choice in footwear
And your righteous brades (????)
Mentioning a potential hairstyle ("braids")
But all I know is your blues
Emphasizing the difference in personal experiences
Ain't like my blues
Highlighting individualized emotions
And why would they be?
Raising a rhetorical question about differing emotions
If there's one commonality
Noting a shared feeling of mutual disconnect
It's that that feeling is mutual
Anticipating a realization of mutual disconnection
Given time, you'll see
Suggesting eventual acknowledgment of disconnection
You'll see
Reiterating the expectation of realization
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