13 & God is an indie hip-hop collective created in 2004 as a collaboration … Read Full Bio ↴13 & God is an indie hip-hop collective created in 2004 as a collaboration between the members of the groups Themselves and The Notwist. 13 & God's style of music has been called "dubby glitch pop", and is a blend of many previously separate styles of music. The members of 13 & God are:

* Adam Drucker (Doseone), Jeffery Logan (Jel), and Dax Pierson (collectively Themselves)
* Markus Acher, Micha Acher, and Martin Gretschmann (from The Notwist).

13 & God have released one self-titled album. A limited-run Japan-only live album was released in 2008.

07 Tin Strong
13 & God Lyrics

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These tin men are no nonsense
Not the happiest thing
They make the call between black and white
And what grey is bore in between
And they say kids your age should
Be reaching for the streetlights
While banking on their reproductive organs
And the work week's guiding light

This is the bound and tired
Oath/anthem of our aged

An approximate and fearful
Wild of hooks to belt from caged
By bills and bills and bills then will
Til nerve-ed and one-named

You thief the you that nothing can pill tame
And sleep the sleep of cured kill refrain

Overall Meaning

In "Tin Strong," 13 & God explores the harsh realities of adulthood and the struggles young people face as they transition into that next phase of life. The "tin men" referred to in the lyrics represent the cold, unfeeling forces of society that provide little guidance or comfort as we navigate the challenges that come with growing up. They are the ones who make the decisions that shape our lives, such as determining what is black and white and what falls in between. And yet, despite the overwhelming power they wield, they offer little in the way of hope or optimism for the future.

The lyrics suggest that young people are forced to make difficult choices at an early age, such as deciding whether to pursue their dreams or settle for a more practical, stable life. The idea of "banking on their reproductive organs" is a reference to the pressure to settle down and start a family rather than pursuing personal fulfillment. Meanwhile, the "work week's guiding light" represents the monotonous, soul-sucking routine of the adult world that many young people dread.

Line by Line Meaning

These tin men are no nonsense
The individuals who are being referred to as tin men are very serious and not playful

not the happiest thing
They are not happy individuals

they make the call between black and white
They differentiate between right and wrong

and what grey is bore in between
They realize that there is a gray area which is also important

and they say kids your age should
These individuals advise young children that they should

be reaching for the streetlights
Focus on attaining success and hope for the better things in life

while banking on their reproductive organs
While still young, they should prepare for their future by building their family

and the work week's guiding light
Securing a job is consistent and stable, hence, they should work hard to achieve this

this is the bound and tired
The statement is an old, overused and clichéd phrase

oath/anthem of our aged
The phrase is commonly used by older individuals as a motto to live by

an approximate and fearful
The feeling of fear that is difficult to explain

wild of hooks to belt from caged
A reference to being trapped in a cycle of bills and obligations

by bills and bills and bills then will
The cycle of obligations and bills that one has to constantly deal with

til nerve-ed and one-named
Until one's nerves and identity are exhausted from constantly dealing with these obligations

you thief the you that nothing can pill tame
At some point, you will become your true self and that cannot be suppressed

and sleep the sleep of cured kill refrain
Once you have gone through this process you will find a sense of calm and relief from the chaos that once plagued you

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ADAM DRUCKER, DAX PIERSON, JEFFREY LOGAN, MARKUS ACHER, MARTIN GRETSCHMANN, MICHAEL ANTON ACHER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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