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.
A needless and harrowing future is developing
For our generation and generations to come
But as I walk the chartered streets of this familiar oblivion
I recognize nothing but unweilding consciousness
In which we have almost comfortably drowned
It is madness, this normality is madness
We are clinging to manufactured crippled constraints
We must no longer commute between brand-ladened homes
And quickly accepted aimless roams from
Our factories of slavery, to raws of elusive bravery
We must unite
And we must let the flood gates open
Here tonight, I clock a thousand heads
Here to unite, through common dreads
For our generation and generations to come
But as I walk the chartered streets of this familiar oblivion
I recognize nothing but unweilding consciousness
In which we have almost comfortably drowned
It is madness, this normality is madness
We are clinging to manufactured crippled constraints
We must no longer commute between brand-ladened homes
And quickly accepted aimless roams from
Our factories of slavery, to raws of elusive bravery
We must unite
And we must let the flood gates open
Here tonight, I clock a thousand heads
Here to unite, through common dreads
Lyrics submitted by Haunted Devil, edited by 3dChris, BlueDiamondx3
Common Dreads Lyrics as written by Liam Rory Clewlow Chris Batten
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I agree with businessiswar. It's sad, and extremely scary. I go to school every day feeling like crap and knowing it's bullshit. I hate work, and I'm never getting a job. I'm going to convince so many people I know to be free that the whole world will soon be freed. We all just need to awaken. Enter Shikari did an amazing job at creating a CD with valuable lyrics and deeper meanings than a fucking lame ass joans brothers cd.
The true meaning of this common dreads song, is well, the title obviously, that we all can work together when we hate something together. We go to war with a country because we're told to hate them. Well, the part "This normality is madness" is the most important point of the song to me, just because how they said it, and it's true. We think our society is normal. We're wearing cotton all over our bodies for goodness sake. and not because we're cold. We hardly have emotions like we should have. It's turning into a cold scary world. Most importantly, don't listen to your government ever. Always have skeptisism with everything you deal with
are you for real? if ur never getting a job then i hope u like the streets or do you plan to live on the dole? cos thats really going to make a difference to the world.
isnt the begining the end of ok time for plan b? like theyre continuing on to their second cd.
actually the beginning of this is the ending of "closing" from ttts
@kelb93 Common Dreads is supposed to be a part two of Take to the Skies, except with less fighting against the aliens and more cooperation.
I think its "A heedless and harrowing future."
Gives me goosebumps everytime.
isnt it "to wars of elusive bravery" ?
Yeah, sounds like "wars" to me too. It'd make more sense too considering the wars in the Middle East are often called that too because of the lack of public support in the nation. Or anywhere for that matter.
don't think the bravery in afghanistan is elusive. and you shouldn't confuse lack of support for the war with lack of support our men and women out there.
kelb93, you are correct in thinking that it is a continuation from the Take To The Skies album.
However it continues on from Closing, not Ok Time For Plan B.
oh haha yea i think u know what i meant tho.
This is a great opening to the album, it's like everything that the album is being laid out. The "We must unite" repeated line and in different languages is chilling to me, it reminded that despite differences in language, colour, race, religion and beliefs, every one else on the planet is the same as me, just a human trying to live his/her life.
Confirmed by the CD booklet "Wars of illusive bravery" and "A heedless and harrowing future"
youtube.com/watch
stop trying to figure it out
real lyrics:
entershikari.com/music.htm