This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Even now the world is bleedin'
But feelin' just fine all numb
In our castle where we're always free
To choose never free enough
To find I wish somethin' would break
Cause we're runnin' out of time
And I am overcome
I am overcome
Holy water in my lungs
I am overcome
These women in the street
Pullin' out their hair
My master's in the yard givin' light
To the unaware this plastic little place
Is just a step amongst the stairs
And I am overcome
I am overcome
Baby holy water in my lungs
I am overcome
So drive me out out to that open field
Turn the ignition off
And spin around
Your help is here but
I'm parked in this open space
Blockin' the gates of love
I am overcome
I am overcome
Holy water in my lungs
I am overcome
Beautiful drowning
This beautiful drowning
This holy water
This holy water is in my lungs
But feelin' just fine all numb
In our castle where we're always free
To choose never free enough
To find I wish somethin' would break
Cause we're runnin' out of time
And I am overcome
I am overcome
Holy water in my lungs
I am overcome
These women in the street
Pullin' out their hair
My master's in the yard givin' light
To the unaware this plastic little place
Is just a step amongst the stairs
And I am overcome
I am overcome
Baby holy water in my lungs
I am overcome
So drive me out out to that open field
Turn the ignition off
And spin around
Your help is here but
I'm parked in this open space
Blockin' the gates of love
I am overcome
I am overcome
Holy water in my lungs
I am overcome
Beautiful drowning
This beautiful drowning
This holy water
This holy water is in my lungs
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Silent Planet
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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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
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.
i not quite sure but i am thinking that its about being trapped in this ugly world that people hate and in the darkness of it all finding the love of God. he is overcome by the love of God because the earth is so dark and ugly. but still i'm not sure.
Jenna's information goes the longest way for me of explaining all the lyrics... I don't know that many Live songs, actually, but from what I've heard, there seems to be an almost ecstatic mystical streak to a lot of them. I think of stuff I read by Jellaludin Rumi and St. John of the Cross where the poet dissolves into God, which is a kind of death (holy drowning, maybe?). Lyrics like "the world is bleeding" and "women in the streets pulling out their hair" do evoke the tragedies of the world. It just doesn't make sense to me that, with "holy water" and "beautiful drowning", these are what he's overcome by in this song. Still, the emotional tone is somehow fitting for all sorts of situations, as many here have noted.
I think you are all missing the higher meaning. This is about seeing the wrongs in the world, and instead of brushing them aside, helping them, therefore showing your love.
The "holy water in my lungs" is the breath of life given when you help others in need.
I just heard an interview that Ed had on 92.3 WKRX (?) in New York. He said that he had the lyrics for a few years and last year while on tour, he re-edited it based upon things he views on the news (Palestine, school shootings, etc). However, it was definitely written and finalized before 9/11 (1 year to the date, RIP all...). Despite this, for many, as noted above and elsewhere, it has taken on 9/11 connotations. Nevertheless, I think it is a great song.
IT'S CLEARLY NOT ABOUT 9/11 AND IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT ABOUT COLUMBINE.
Man, that is such a "publik" school interpretation.
It's about "Fortress America" and the dehumanizing aspect of urban life.
If you don't understand what I mean by that, feel free to ask and I'll explain in further detail.
That goes for the mods too. I'm sick of you all abusing your priviledges just because you don't "get" something.
The band did an interview a loooong time ago about this song. It was about an experience of the band members had when he was baptized. They really didn't explain themselves well, but talking about being dunked under the water in a lake when they were a teenager.
"holy water in my lungs" "beautiful drowning"
This song is about being baptized and finding Christ. Drowning and Holy Water are references to being Batized. 'My master's in the yard giving light to the unaware", Jesus helps everyone even if they are unaware or ignorant. "This plastic little place is just a step amongst the stairs", this life and Earth is just another step that we all must take before we go home. "I am overcome", he is overcome with happiness and love in his faith, and for the Lord.
This is a beautiful and uplifting song about accepting Jesus as his savior.
I agree with cjhike, the lyrics seem obvious to me. This is such a great song! If you listen to many of Lives other songs they seem to be spiritual in meaning. I myself am a Christian but - anyone with a belief in God can embrace the the deeper meaning of this song. I wish this band didnt break up - great songs!
While I am agnostic, verging on atheist, I can't help but love the way Live's lyrics describe their experiences and feelings of God. I agree with cjhike, Overcome is about finding God and being baptised.
What are the possibilities this song was written in a Christian context? World bleeding, spun around... life before conversion? After all, "holy water" is repeated through the song as a theme, in his lungs, all over him; baptism by submersion? Ethical struggle going on in his life?
ok yeah so I just read the last comments... I'm new here. I agree with liveislife. Baptism.