Always object
Never subject

Can you see us? Are we there?
Are we there.
Can you see me? We are watching
We are watching.
You are fading.
In the daylight. Fading.

Always upon you, light never ceases
Lost from yourself, light never ceases
Thousands of eyes, gaze never ceases
Light is upon you, life in you ceases


Lyrics submitted by Viscus

Backlit Lyrics as written by Aaron Turner Aaron Harris

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Backlit song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

14 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +6
    General Comment

    Maaan, the less you say, the more you mean. I think that the most amazing thing brought into music by ISIS is that concept. They tell their stories by music, not by the words. Words just give your mind a nudge in the right direction. Absolutely amazing!

    Zinigoron April 11, 2007   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Panopticon was originally a prison designed to allow very pew people the ability to observe all inmates at one time without the inmates being able to see the observer. Hence lines like "Can you see us? Are we there?" The prison rooms themselves were to be backlit to keep all prisoners in isolation. This song is about the idea that us thinking someone is always watching negates the necessity for there to actually be someone watching and how stifling it is to live with someone watching.

    Nebunauton May 04, 2006   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Also, I'd like to say I enjoy the double (or multiple) entendre of "Always object, never subject."

    Although it speaks to the idea behind Bentham's prison, it may also be read as a way to revolt. Always object to such control. Never subject yourself to them.

    At least, I'd like people to remember that.

    Riobardon September 03, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    "He is seen, but he does not see; he is the object of information, never a subject in communication." -Michel Foucault's Panopticism.

    relocationswarmon November 28, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This almost seems like questions to higher beings above. The artwork of Panopticon seems to focus on grand overhead views of the world, so the lyrics are verymuch hand-in-hand. Maybe the album's a sort of "themed concept album," focusing on the world from above? How wonderfully amorphous, much like the music itself.

    theothernesson January 11, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Enough said just read Nebunaut. Dude that man has it right on.

    walruspancakeson June 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I wrote a poem that refers to this song and From Sinking. I guess a lot of people liked it.

    emilycookieson May 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I believe in artwork for this album is to show that someone's always keeping an eye on us, sorta' like the basis of that movie Enemy of the State. Awesome song, nonetheless.

    ScareCrow46n2on May 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is the most straight-forward song on the album, by far. It is talking about a prisoner, or person ruled by government, or whomever Isis is refering. The person is going crazy from "Big Brother"--as intended.

    keithrumburgon December 28, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is the most straight-forward song on the album, by far. It is talking about a prisoner, or person ruled by government, or whomever Isis is refering. The person is going crazy from "Big Brother"--as intended.

    keithrumburgon December 28, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.