If it can be broke then it can be fixed, if it can be fused then it can be split
It's all under control
If it can be lost then it can be won, if it can be touched then it can be turned
All you need is time

We promised the world we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?

A sense of purpose and a sense of skill, a sense of function but a disregard
We will not be the first, we won't
You said you were going to conquer new frontiers,
Go stick your bloody head in the jaws of the beast

We promised the world, we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?

Breath in, breath out

So here we are reinventing the wheel
I'm shaking hands with a hurricane
It's a colour that I can't describe,
It's a language I can't understand
Ambition, tearing out the heart of you
Carving lines into you
Dripping down the sides of you

We will not be the last.


Lyrics submitted by remme

Pioneers Lyrics as written by Kele Okereke Gordon Moakes

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Pioneers song meanings
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    General Comment

    Everyone talks about the opening lines and how it's, in a sense, sarcastic. I'm sure I'm not the first or only one to notice this, but does anyone see these lines no so much sarcastic but more along the lines of written completely opposite?

    Here's what I mean:

    If it can be broke then it can be fixed - (If something's broke it can't necessarily be fixed. But if something's fixed, then it had to be broke in the first place)

    If it can be fused then it can be split - (If something's fused it can't necessarily be split. But if something's split, then it had to be fused in the first place)

    If it can be lost then it can be won - (If something's lost it doesn't necessarily mean it was capable of being won. But if something really is capable of being won, then it can still be lost)

    If it can be touched then it can be turned - (If something's touched it can't necessarily be turned. But if something's turned, then it can be touched)

    See what I mean about how these ideas reciprocate one way, but not the other?

    In addition, I also think those opening lines aren't about a war, or politics, but I think it's more about (as old fashion as it is) a lover's heart.

    A heart can be broke/fixed. Two hearts can be fused/split. Their heart can be lost/won. Their heart can be touched/turned.

    huddyon July 06, 2014   Link

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