There are three groups by the name of Arco:

1. Arco are a British ba… Read Full Bio ↴There are three groups by the name of Arco:

1. Arco are a British band noted for unusually slow, quiet, poetic music: a gig review in national newspaper The Guardian suggested "an hour in arco's company is the aural equivalent of a day in a flotation tank". Similarly, a review in Q, a UK monthly music magazine, described first album Coming To Terms as "the aural equivalent of a human being pausing for thought as the world speeds on around".

2. Arco (Antonio Arco) is the former singer from the Spanish band "El Puchero del Hortelano". Starting his solo career in 2016 with the release of his album "Uno", he's been doing music on his own until this day with other albums such as "Abril" (2018) and "100 Veces" (2020).

3. Formed in 2008 by Neil Luck, ARCO is a group of composers, artists and (mainly) string players from a range of musical and artistic disciplines and backgrounds. The group explores experimental approaches to non-standard notation and live performance practice as a starting point for creating bespoke, collaborative music theatre events characterised by an uncompromisingly avant-garde aesthetic, and radical mix of influences from contemporary classical music, magick rituals, concrete poetry, free improvisation, slapstick comedy, Kabuki theatre and Broadway show tunes

Speak
Arco Lyrics

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How can I speak?
You've taken all the words
Nothing to say
When you know you can't be heard
And silence isn't golden, it's absurd
But you won't give me the words
How can I live?
You've taken all the ways

Nothing to do
Just filling up the days
And this is not a role I choose to play
But I don't have a say

Push me down but don't complain
If I don't join in your game

Overall Meaning

In Arco's song "Speak," the lyrics express a sense of frustration and oppression from the point of view of the singer. The singer feels as if all of their words have been taken away from them, leaving them with nothing to say. This is further compounded by the feeling that they cannot be heard, indicating a sense of powerlessness in the situation. The idea that silence is not golden but instead absurd suggests that the singer understands the importance of communication and being heard, yet they feel unable to do so.

The second half of the song describes the impact of this oppression on the singer's life. They feel as if all of their options have been taken away, leaving them with nothing to do but fill their days with meaningless activities. This idea of being forced into a role they did not choose to play indicates that the singer feels as though they have no agency in their own life. The final line of the song, "Push me down but don't complain if I don't join in your game," suggests that the singer is resigning themselves to their situation but not without resentment towards those who put them there.

Overall, "Speak" is a powerful song that captures the frustration and sense of powerlessness that can come from feeling oppressed and unheard. The lyrics highlight the importance of communication and agency, and the devastating impact that their loss can have on an individual.

Line by Line Meaning

How can I speak?
I am incapable of speaking

You've taken all the words
You have robbed me of my ability to communicate

Nothing to say
I have no words to say

When you know you can't be heard
I am aware that I cannot be heard

And silence isn't golden, it's absurd
Being silent is pointless and ridiculous

But you won't give me the words
You are not providing me with the words I need

How can I live?
I am unable to live

You've taken all the ways
You have taken away my path to live

Nothing to do
I have nothing to do

Just filling up the days
I am just wasting my time

And this is not a role I choose to play
I did not choose this life or situation