* 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.
if
13 & God Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If there were not something so loud and clear
It would have been bought and sold
It would have been
If there were not something so loud and clear
If there were not something so loud and clear
It would have been bought and sold
We travel the space ways
and doom the space of men
and doom the space we're in
and doom the space there is
We travel the space ways
and doom the space of men
and doom the space we're in
and doom the space there is
We travel the space ways
and doom the space of men
and doom the space we're in
and doom the space there is
We travel the space ways
and doom the space of men
and doom the space we're in
and doom the space there is
It's come to my attention
as a matter of fact
That in the face of the days
Sometimes I don't know how to act
Neck so tense you could pull a wing with it
Eyes so raw you could see nothing in 'em
Dead negligent fours right out of his air holes
Caught with his one white lung
And his wing and his whole city
Cut for a scope just like playa
Called a dollar in old Oakland
Phone bill cost unreplicated gone half heart
Corinthian column taught with my raw arm
Caught left, caught right
Bill to the occupation
Like Bam
None of my my Lord and my pay rent to decide
and ban me
and my none with exaggerated arms never the neck
Hong Chong open to me
Cold
The lyrics of "If" by 13 & God can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that it critiques the way society values things that are loud and clear, or easy to understand, at the expense of things that are more complex and nuanced. The repeated lines "If there were not something so loud and clear / It would have been bought and sold" suggest that something that is simple and easy to grasp would easily be commodified and sold, whereas something that is more subtle and difficult to understand cannot be easily marketed or capitalized upon.
The lines "We travel the space ways / and doom the space of men / and doom the space we're in / and doom the space there is" suggest a sense of despair or hopelessness about the state of the world. The idea that we "doom the space" suggests that we are actively contributing to a negative or destructive environment. The use of the word "doom" suggests that this is a fate that cannot be avoided or changed, which underscores the bleakness of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
If there were not something so loud and clear
If there were not a clear and discernible message conveyed
If there were not something so loud and clear
If there were no clear and notable distinction
It would have been bought and sold
It would have been subject to commercialization and capitalistic endeavors
It would have been
It would have been sold out
We travel the space ways
We move through life's journey
and doom the space of men
and negatively impact the spaces that we share with others
and doom the space we're in
and make our immediate surroundings negative
and doom the space there is
and make the world at large a negative place
It's come to my attention
I have noticed
as a matter of fact
in reality
That in the face of the days
When faced with everyday challenges
Sometimes I don't know how to act
Sometimes I don't know how to handle things
Neck so tense you could pull a wing with it
The tension in my neck is so high, it could pluck a bird's wing
Eyes so raw you could see nothing in 'em
My eyes are so sore and tired, there's no life in them
Dead negligent fours right out of his air holes
The sound coming out of his mouth is lifeless and careless
Caught with his one white lung
Exposed for his weakness and vulnerability
And his wing and his whole city
His entire world and everything he knows is vulnerable
Cut for a scope just like playa
Exploited and used for someone else's gain, just like a player in a game
Called a dollar in old Oakland
A reference to the gentrification and displacement of people in Oakland due to economic reasons
Phone bill cost unreplicated gone half heart
The cost of basic necessities is so high that it leaves barely anything to live on
Corinthian column taught with my raw arm
Building strong foundations and structures with the limited resources and abilities available
Caught left, caught right
Caught in every direction, no escape
Bill to the occupation
Billed for the oppressive systems and institutions that marginalize and harm people
Like Bam
Like the loud and terrifying sound of an explosion
None of my my Lord and my pay rent to decide
No one, not even a higher power, has control over the fact that rent must be paid
and ban me
And prevent me from basic necessities and opportunities
and my none with exaggerated arms never the neck
And my lack of wealth and power does not stop me from working hard and striving for success
Hong Chong open to me
An invitation to explore and learn from different cultures and experiences
Cold
Emotionally detached and disconnected
Contributed by Addison S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
aaron
best shit under the radar.
Christopher Barber
i really don't dig the rhymes at the end; that being said, this is one of the dopest tracks of all time, def in my top ten
Brahma Bull
it's come to my attention that as a matter of fact...
Joseph
@whycivilequalsinsane neck so tense, you can pull a wing wit it
whycivilequalsinsane
In the face of a day sometimes i dont know how to act.