If it looks broken
That's just the picture
That's how you know
If it's in focus
Then it's no fun for guys like me

These robots have it wired around here
They'll make slaves of us soon
Canvas the neighborhood

I mean it, watch

Step away
Don't look that close
They could be anywhere
Hid up in the ballast
Down in the basement
Camped out in the bunker
If it should come back
We'll set the tracers
Break it in easy

These robots have it wired around here
These robots have it wired around here
(these robots have it wired around here)
Circuits on Babylon
Cracked up on some lawn
Chasing these scenes
Given a fever
Restless manner
Is it worth your soul?
They might leave tomorrow
They might leave tomorrow
They might leave tomorrow
They might leave tomorrow

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Team Sleep's song "Elizabeth" start off with the lines "If it looks broken/ That's just the picture/ That's how you know/ If it's in focus/ Then it's no fun for guys like me." The lines hint at a theme of perception and reality. It suggests that the broken thing may not necessarily be bad or malfunctioning but that it is just the way it is. In contrast, something that is focused may not be as much fun because it's overly perfect, and it lacks the texture and depth of a broken reality. The song continues with some cryptic lines, "These robots have it wired around here/ They'll make slaves of us soon/ Canvas the neighborhood." The lyrics suggest the idea of the invasion of robots, and how they have already started to take control of our lives, and that we are likely to become their slaves soon. The mention of "canvas the neighborhood" adds a layer of urgency to the lyrics as if the robots are scouting and gathering data on us.

The second verse continues with the same theme but in a different tone. It basically suggests that we should be wary of our surroundings and that danger may be lurking anywhere. "Step away/ Don't look that close/ They could be anywhere/ Hid up in the ballast/ Down in the basement/ Camped out in the bunker." The lines, almost like in a horror movie, say that something is out there - something that we should be careful about - and that it is hiding in unexpected places (the ballast, basement, and bunker).

Overall, the "Elizabeth" song is cryptic and open to interpretation, but it's clear that it speaks to our anxiety about the future, and the lack of control that we might have in it. The lyrics allude to the creeping invasion of automation taking over our lives and infesting our neighborhoods, which is a universal theme that resonates with many people today.

Line by Line Meaning

If it looks broken
The appearance of something may not necessarily reflect its true state

That's just the picture
The image presented may not be a true representation of the reality

That's how you know
The picture of something might be the only way you perceive it

If it's in focus
If something is detailed and clear, it might be less enjoyable

Then it's no fun for guys like me
For some people, it is less enjoyable when something is too perfect or in order

These robots have it wired around here
There are some entities with significant control over the area which can make humans like slaves

They'll make slaves of us soon
It is possible that the entities in control will start to exploit people to work for them

Canvas the neighborhood
Investigate the area thoroughly for anything suspicious or unusual

I mean it, watch
Pay close attention to everything around for any sign of danger

Step away
Keep a safe distance from possible threats

Don't look that close
Avoid examining too closely in case it is unsafe

They could be anywhere
The threat or danger could be in any location

Hid up in the ballast
The danger may be hidden in the structure of an object

Down in the basement
The danger may be located in the basement or lower levels of a structure

Camped out in the bunker
The potential danger has secured a location for itself underground

If it should come back
In case the danger returns

We'll set the tracers
We will take precautions to track and trace the danger

Break it in easy
Approach the danger cautiously and gently

Circuits on Babylon
The complex and sophisticated technology in this location

Cracked up on some lawn
Physically damaged or in disrepair, possibly left outside

Chasing these scenes
Attempting to discover the cause or explanation for unusual events

Given a fever
Strongly affected or obsessed with finding the answer to a problem

Restless manner
Unable to find peace or relaxation in their state of mind

Is it worth your soul?
Questioning if it is worth the cost of personal safety or moral compass to chase the answer to a problem

They might leave tomorrow
The entities or potential threat may depart quickly and without warning

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rick Verrett, Todd Wilkinson, Chino Moreno, Zach Hill

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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