| The Submarines – 1940 Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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The song is set in the year 1940, and something is terribly wrong. Europe is being consumed by WWII and the Nazi's invade the Netherlands, Belgium, and France among other countries. America isn't yet involved in the war but elects FDR for a third term and is slowly beginning to pull out of the Great Depression. Modernism takes a giant leap forward as the 40 hour work week is instated. Race riots occurred in Chicago, Harlem, Los Angeles, and Detroit. In other words, this would apparently be a shitty year to be alive. The first verse contrasts a life lived in fear versus one where one does not awake with alarm. Notice that alarm here has two meanings, converging on one sentiment. One meaning is emotional and the other is symbolic of a physical alarm (like the ones that alarmed people of bombings). The sentiment is awaking without need for alarm of being repressed. In other words, it's a glorious day when we awake from a state where we constantly fear the things that haven't happened yet such as death, losing loved ones, getting old and etc. The chorus is a call to action. The artist urges the listener to rise and shine, because now is the time to be alive - not tomorrow, not a week from now, not when you graduate from college, and not when everything is perfect. Unlike the people who lived in Europe during WWII, we have the power to live without fear. One may also note that they eerily emphasize "and smile" leading one to believe that they have something else in mind. The second verse is sympathetic, but also somewhat dismissive. While the fright is "awful" in that we feel that at our very core, they are ultimately a reaction to what Blake colorfully calls shadows that vanish with the sunrise spark. In other words, things seem terrible when we apprehend them; however, they take less menacing shapes in the light of day. All it takes is living intentionally and appreciate the moment for what it is. |
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