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Atlas Lyrics

People won't be people when they
hear this sound that's been
glowing in the dark at the
edge of the town
People won't be people, no, the
people won't be people, when they
hear this sound, won't you
show me what begins at the
edge of town?

Singer is a crook, whoa-ey-oh
Singer is a crook, whoa-ey-oh
Singer is a crook, whoa-ey-oh
Singer is a crook, whoa-ey-oh
Kitchen is a cook, whoa-ey-oh
Scissors are the barbers, whoa-ey-oh
Singer is a crook, whoa-ey-oh
The chorus, full of actors

(In the second verse, the last line is)
The chorus doesn't matter
Song Info
Submitted by
cubizmo On Sep 18, 2007
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71 Meanings

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Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

I think this song is Battles commenting on the use of technology in music diminishing or changing the role of musicians. People aren't people when they hear the sound, because the sound is so dehumanised after being run through machines.

The singer is a crook, because he can be replaced by a machine that does his job better. The theme in the second verse is about the tools taking over the role of the person who uses the tools - the scissors become the barbers, the kitchen becomes the cook. It's a statement about "what begins at the edge of town" - a musical movement outside the mainstream that challenges the traditionally-defined role of musicians.

My Interpretation

@bittersweetme I really agree with you. If you think about it, this could also mean that technology is taking over. Back in the day, people used to only use pen and paper to make drawings. Nowadays, they use an application to do so. If things keep going on like this, soon the kitchens will be the chefs, and there will be no barbers because there will be machines to do their job. People may or may not become less attached to the real world, but what worries me most is the fact that we are becoming more and more alienated and...

@bittersweetme I reckon you're close, but not quite there. I think the song is about industrialisation and workers' rights: There's a repeated tune in the song that would accompany a union chant in the march for workers' rights "the workers, united, will never be defeated". If you listen for it' it's definitely there right at the beginning before these lyrics start is't like a whisper. Singer is also the name of a sewing machine manufacturer, and the introduction of Singer sewing machines had a massive effect on industrialisation and mass production of clothing - a massive human rights and workers rights issue...

Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

wow,I didn't even know this song contained audible words. it's an excellent song though. And the video is sickk. (L)

Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

Yeah, funkymonkey, thats what i hear or a very filtered "repeating on" for the first bit. This is what i vaguely hear.

People will be people People will be people when the air...???? Wondering in the dark ??????........ travel

People will be people X 3 People will be people when the Won't you show me the beginning ??????........ travel

amazing song though.

Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

Bittersweetme's interpretation is absolutely perfect. And to add onto their interpretation: the musicians emphasize the meaning of the song by the crazy auto-tuned, altered, mechanical sound that they use for the voice. The voice is so altered that it doesn't even sound like a person and it doesn't even sound like a human language, let alone English. Also, the person below me said that the beginning of the song isn't the sound of voice but the sound of guitar, also emphasizing how mechanical the voice sounds. We can barely even tell the difference between the guitar and the voice. Beautiful song.

Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

Tyondai told me after one of his shows. He told me that he was going to reveal the rest of the song later in the year. Maybe August.

too bad this part doesn't really matter.

but it still sounds cool.

Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

There's more lyrics to this isn't there?What's here is kind of witty in an ironic way, but I swear there is more there. The vocals remind me of Animal Collective, but the whole thing is so dark and propulsive. Strange and Amazing song.

Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

There are a lot of lyrics in this, but it is nearly impossible to make out. I think it says "people will be people when the air is still...." and then i lose it.

Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

Here is my attempt:

Atlas (Repeat X)

People will be people when the air is stagnant Wonder in the dark We'll begin to travel People will be people will be People will be people When the end is here Won't you show me the beginning We'll begin to travel (Repeat X 2)

singer is a crook, oh-ay-oh singer is a crook, oh-ay-oh singer is a crook, oh-ay-oh singer is a crook, oh-ay-oh

kitchen is for cook, oh-ay-oh sissors at the barber, oh-ay-oh singer is a crook, oh-ay-oh The chorus doesn't matter

Some of their other songs have words two like: DDiamondd

Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

people won't be people when they hear these samples.

how's that?!

Cover art for Atlas lyrics by Battles

Here's my version of what i think it is:

people wont be people when they hear this sound thats rolling in the dollar, up the air it will travel people wont be people wont be people wont be people when they hear this sound wont you show me where to begin? and up the air it will travel

singer is a crook, oh-ay-oh (x4)

kitchen is a cook, oh-ay-oh scissors are for barbers, oh ay oh singer is a crook, oh ay oh the chorus doesn't matter

...my other interpretation is "people wont be people when they eat a sandwich" and "roll it in the dollar, up the air we'll travel..." these could be drug references