Blackout
Affiance Lyrics


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How can you heart what you need to hear
When you have never been told you're wrong?
You see the world in black and white
Blind to all color

YOU ARE LOST INSIDE YOUR MIND
THE WALLS YOU BUILD TO CONFINE MUST RECONCILE
BLACKOUT. AWAKEN IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY
I'M CAUGHT BETWEEN WHO THEY EXPECT ME TO BE
THE HEART OF AN ANIMAL OR THE MIND OF A MACHINE

How can you see what you want to see
If your eyes haven't been opened at all
I don't have the answers
I just know it's not as simple as right or wrong

YOU ARE LOST INSIDE YOUR MIND
THE WALLS YOU BUILD TO CONFINE MUST RECONCILE
BLACKOUT. AWAKEN IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY
I'M CAUGHT BETWEEN WHO THEY EXPECT ME TO BE
THE HEART OF AN ANIMAL OR THE MIND OF A MACHINE

No room for maybe
Afraid of the unknown
So we rank and file
To rationalize our existence





Blackout
Awaken

Overall Meaning

"Blackout" by Affiance seems to be a commentary on the human condition of being trapped within one's own perspective, unable to see things from a different point of view. The opening lines imply that we may not be able to hear what we need to hear because we have never been told we are wrong. This suggests that our egos may be preventing us from considering alternative perspectives that challenge our beliefs. The second line about seeing the world in black and white suggests that we may be blind to nuances and complexities that exist outside of our narrow interpretations.


The chorus serves as a call to action to "blackout" our minds and awaken in the twenty-first century. The lyrics reference the "walls" we build to "confine" our thoughts and perspectives, which suggest that we limit ourselves in ways that prevent us from becoming the best versions of ourselves. The singer then expresses that they feel caught between two identities, that of an animal with a heart and that of a machine with a mind. This may symbolize the inner conflict we experience when trying to balance our emotions with logic or intuition with reason.


Overall, "Blackout" is an incredibly insightful song that encourages us to acknowledge that our perspective might not be the only valid one, and that the world isn't as simple as "right or wrong."


Line by Line Meaning

How can you heart what you need to hear
It's not easy to hear what you need to hear, especially if you've never been told that you're wrong.


When you have never been told you're wrong?
It's hard to know what's right or wrong when nobody has ever told you you're wrong.


You see the world in black and white
You only see things in a very narrow and limited way, unable to perceive the nuances in between.


Blind to all color
You're unable to see or appreciate the complexity of the world around you.


YOU ARE LOST INSIDE YOUR MIND
Your thoughts and beliefs are holding you back and keeping you trapped.


THE WALLS YOU BUILD TO CONFINE MUST RECONCILE
You need to let go of your limiting beliefs and break down the walls you've built around yourself.


BLACKOUT. AWAKEN IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY
It's time to step into the present day and see things in a new light.


I'M CAUGHT BETWEEN WHO THEY EXPECT ME TO BE
You're struggling to reconcile who you are with who others want you to be.


THE HEART OF AN ANIMAL OR THE MIND OF A MACHINE
You're torn between being emotional and instinctual versus being analytical and rational.


How can you see what you want to see
Unless you open your eyes and broaden your perspective, you'll only see what you already believe to be true.


If your eyes haven't been opened at all
Unless you receive new information and experiences, you'll remain stuck in the same old thought patterns.


I don't have the answers
I'm not claiming to know everything, but I know that things are not as simple as they seem.


I just know it's not as simple as right or wrong
The world is full of complexity and nuance that cannot be boiled down to black and white.


No room for maybe
You're afraid of the uncertainty that comes with not knowing all the answers.


Afraid of the unknown
Uncertainty and lack of control can be scary, but it's necessary to embrace the unknown in order to grow.


So we rank and file
In order to make sense of our lives, we often try to categorize and put things in neat little boxes.


To rationalize our existence
We try to make sense of our lives in order to feel like we have some control over the chaos.


And break away from the mold they cast you in
It's time to let go of the expectations and limitations that others have placed on you and forge your own path.


Blackout
Let go of your preconceptions and see the world in a new light.


Awaken in the present day
Step into the current moment and see things as they truly are.




Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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