No Wolf Like the Present
At the Drive-In Lyrics
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Bludgeoned by the prowler cars
He's been running since the day that they tagged his skin
A walking cipher kicking calendars
He hears the sirens
He hears his song play everyday, yeah
They use our past to evict us
In a land that stole, a kestrel from the knave
Smothered inmates full at capacity
He hears the sirens
He hears his song play everyday
It's open season check the body cam
There's no wolf like the present
They own your history and scrap it for parts
There's no wolf like the present
Of insignificance
Tantivy run
He's been on the lam so long he knows the rules of the hunt
Carving X's into bullets for luck
While the veneer of civilization grinds
Light bulbs into his food supply
He hears the sirens
He hears his song play everyday
It's open season check the body cams
There's no wolf like the present
They own your history and scrap it for parts
There's no wolf like the present
Of insignificance
Tantivy run
Tantivy run
There's no wolf like the present
They own your history and scrap it for parts
There's no wolf like the present
Of insignificance
There's no wolf like the present
There's no wolf like the start
There's no wolf like the present
Of insignificance
Tantivy run
The song "No Wolf Like the Present" by At the Drive-In is a commentary on the current state of society, specifically the effects of corruption and oppression. The lyrics describe a man who is hiding in a safe house, constantly on the run from the authorities since the day they marked him. He is a cipher, living his life day by day without significance. The sirens he hears are those of the police who are always after him. The song also references the use of history to oppress people, as well as the concept of "open season" where the authorities can do as they please.
The chorus continually repeats, "There's no wolf like the present" which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the urgency of the situation. The present moment is significant and must be dealt with urgently, as there are no comparable moments to it. The line "They own your history and scrap it for parts" is a reference to the manipulation of history to serve the interests of the ruling class.
The use of the term "Tantivy run" at the end of the song is interesting, as it is a hunting term that means to gallop at full speed. It adds to the urgency of the lyrics and the feeling of being hunted.
Line by Line Meaning
In a safe house he baits, can you blame the conniving
He is hiding and waiting for something, is it his fault he has to scheme?
Bludgeoned by the prowler cars
He has been attacked by cars used by criminals
He's been running since the day that they tagged his skin
He has been running ever since he was marked as a wanted person
A walking cipher kicking calendars
He is constantly moving and changing, never pinned down or committed to anything
He hears the sirens
He is constantly hearing the sounds of the police
He hears his song play everyday, yeah
He hears the same message being repeated everywhere he goes
From Potemkin mills, where the winds erase
From a place where everything is a facade and constantly changing
They use our past to evict us
History is being weaponized against us, used to push people out
In a land that stole, a kestrel from the knave
In a place where the powerful oppress and take from the powerless
Smothered inmates full at capacity
People are being oppressed and locked away in overpopulated spaces
It's open season check the body cam
The authorities can do anything they want, but they are being watched
There's no wolf like the present
The dangers of the present are unlike any other
They own your history and scrap it for parts
Those in power manipulate and erase history to their own benefit
Of insignificance
People are made to feel unimportant and small
Tantivy run
Run as fast as you can
He's been on the lam so long he knows the rules of the hunt
He has been evading the authorities for so long that he knows how to survive
Carving X's into bullets for luck
He is so desperate that he is resorting to superstitious measures for success
While the veneer of civilization grinds/Light bulbs into his food supply
Despite the pretense of order, life is still brutal and harsh
There's no wolf like the start
The beginning of something can be just as dangerous as the present
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Cedric Bixler, Keeley Dixon Davis, Antoine Hajjar, Paul Hinojos, Omar Alfredo Rodriguez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
martian pyro
Five years later, this is my most listened ATDI album
Mac
Wow, what an opener. This album is amazing. Way faster than any new bands out there
David Lynch
That's this band for you.
Michael Spurk
I LOVE these Dudes....Some Of the Best Chances i have had in life...Blessings
Mr. SickNoodle
i really didnt have very high hopes for this album at all, and its no relationship of command but Im still enjoying the fuck out of it. good to see them back
Raze R.
Another dream comes true, Thank you ATDI!!!!
TenThousandQuills
I haven't felt anything like this for way too damn long. Just like Relationship....this took me completely over from the first sound to the last.
The alpha Wolf
I LOVE THIS SONG
Max8me
so goooood!!! Long Live ATDI
Plus Sign
For anyone reading this, check out ANTEMASQUE, bosnian rainbows, and the atdi ep diamante that follows this album
I cant figure out this release (other than they made what they wanted) but everything i just named is very gratifying, obviously new, warm, and everything you were looking for but maybe didnt find in this 35 minutes.
Maybe after soaking those in more i can appreciate this for what it is.