Tonto
Battles Lyrics

The lyrics of Battles' song Tonto can be interpreted in a number of ways. The main theme, as suggested by the title, is the presence of the Native American character Tonto. The opening lines, "The night / The night is still," set the stage for the atmosphere of the song. The use of the word "still" can be interpreted as a sense of calm or peacefulness, but can also connote a sense of suspension or being frozen in time.

The next line, "Still combative," introduces a layer of complexity to the song's mood. The use of the word "combative" implies conflict or aggression, which is at odds with the previous line's peacefulness. This juxtaposition sets up the song's central conceit, which is the idea that opposing concepts (such as calm vs. aggression) can coexist simultaneously.

The final line, "But never attacks," reinforces the idea that the song is exploring the nuances of balance between seemingly-opposing forces. By presenting the idea that even something that could be seen as combative does not actually attack, the song suggests that what we perceive as aggression or violence may not be as straightforward as we think.