The band shares a name with both the 1953 speech by American president Dwight D. Eisenhower and a song from Yorke's debut solo album The Eraser. On their website, under their name, is the phrase "Nerth Nuclerek? Na Vynnav" which is in the Cornish language and can be translated as Nuclear Power? No Thanks. This is the text from the Smiling Sun anti nuclear power logo, which has been translated into at least 49 languages, including Cornish.
Thom Yorke has stated that the members of Atoms for Peace bonded over a shared love of the music of afrobeat, and said in an interview that the debut album was "the product of getting together, getting wasted and listening to Fela Kuti."
http://www.atomsforpeace.info
S.A.D
Atoms for Peace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It cuts deep
In human error
But it'll stop
We'll be around
We'll be around
Keeping a real
Skeleton in the closet
And if there's a God
If there's a God
And if He is watching
The worst that you kissed
Were those lips
Were those lips
The animals run
The animals run
Out of the forest
These are the rules
These are the rules
And they're cruel
The door is ajar
The door is ajar
Safe in the knowledge
I am a Chinese son
Chinese son
Chinese son
I hope to see you soon
See you soon
Somehow I doubt it
It's just the rest
All the time
All the time
You kind of blew
My mind
My mind
When you get
When you get
When you get
When you get
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
It cuts deep
It cuts deep
Safe in the knowledge
Cutting my roots
Out of the soil
Out of the soil
Before it goes S.A.D
It goes S.A.D
It goes S.A.D
She said no more S.A.D
No more S.A.D
No more sorry
When you get
When you get
When you get
When you get
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
When you get
When you get
When you get
When you get
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
When you get
When you get
When you get
When you get
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
When you get
When you get
When you get
When you get
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
Faced with it
The lyrics of "S.A.D" by Atoms for Peace seem to address loss, guilt, and the search for redemption. The song starts with the phrase "It cuts deep in human error," which can be interpreted as acknowledging the pain that comes with mistakes and failures. The repetition of "It cuts deep" emphasizes the depth of the wound that human error can cause.
The following line "But it'll stop, we'll be around" brings a sense of hope or reassurance. The idea that "we'll be around" suggests that the wounds will heal, and things will eventually get better. The next verse mentions keeping a "real skeleton in the closet," which implies hiding something shameful or embarrassing. The line, "And if there's a God, and if He is watching," suggests a sense of guilt or regret for the singer's actions.
The chorus talks about animals running out of the forest, suggesting that they sense danger or fear. The next verse describes "the rules" as being cruel, further emphasizing the sense of fear or oppression. The line, "The door is ajar, safe in the knowledge" implies both an opportunity for escape and the importance of staying safe.
The song then turns to the singer's own identity, with the repeated phrase "I am a Chinese son" seeming to reflect on cultural heritage or self-identity. The final lines repeat the phrase "When you get faced with it" multiple times, with a sense of urgency or desperation. The final line, "Before it goes S.A.D," is perhaps the most mysterious, as it's unclear exactly what "S.A.D" refers to. The repetition of the phrase "No more S.A.D" in the outro suggests a desire to move past or overcome whatever "S.A.D" represents.
Overall, "S.A.D" seems to grapple with feelings of loss, guilt, and the hope for redemption or healing. The lyrics are abstract and open to interpretation, but the emotional weight of the words is clear.
Line by Line Meaning
It cuts deep
The mistake caused a significant impact and was painful.
It cuts deep
The mistake caused a significant impact and was painful.
In human error
The mistake was made by humans.
But it'll stop
The situation will eventually come to an end.
We'll be around
We will still be present after the situation ends.
We'll be around
We will still be present after the situation ends.
Keeping a real
Maintaining authenticity and honesty.
Keeping a real
Maintaining authenticity and honesty.
Skeleton in the closet
A secret or shameful experience that is hidden from others.
And if there's a God
If a higher power exists.
If there's a God
If a higher power exists.
And if He is watching
If the higher power is observing.
The worst that you kissed
The most terrible thing you have experienced.
Were those lips
It was a bad kiss.
Were those lips
It was a bad kiss.
The animals run
The animals escape from danger.
The animals run
The animals escape from danger.
Out of the forest
Out of the area with trees.
These are the rules
These are the established guidelines.
These are the rules
These are the established guidelines.
And they're cruel
These guidelines are harsh.
The door is ajar
The door is slightly open.
The door is ajar
The door is slightly open.
Safe in the knowledge
Confident in the understanding.
I am a Chinese son
My ethnicity is Chinese.
Chinese son
My ethnicity is Chinese.
I hope to see you soon
I desire to meet with you in the future.
See you soon
The expectation of seeing the individual in the future.
Somehow I doubt it
I do not believe it will happen.
It's just the rest
It is only the remaining part.
All the time
Continuously.
All the time
Continuously.
You kind of blew
You had a significant impact on.
My mind
My thoughts and perceptions.
My mind
My thoughts and perceptions.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
It cuts deep
The mistake caused a significant impact and was painful.
It cuts deep
The mistake caused a significant impact and was painful.
Safe in the knowledge
Confident in the understanding.
Cutting my roots
Losing the foundations of who I am.
Out of the soil
Out of the ground that nurtures me.
Out of the soil
Out of the ground that nurtures me.
Before it goes S.A.D
Before the situation becomes worse.
It goes S.A.D
The situation becomes worse.
It goes S.A.D
The situation becomes worse.
She said no more S.A.D
She does not want the situation to become worse anymore.
No more S.A.D
Hoping the situation does not get worse.
No more sorry
Do not apologize anymore.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
When you get
When you face a problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Faced with it
Currently experiencing the problem.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL BALZARY, THOMAS EDWARD YORKE, NIGEL TIMOTHY GODRICH, JOEY WARONKER, MAURO C REFOSCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind