Arc Eye
Bad Breeding Lyrics
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Two ankles swinging above the dipping floor
Suspended in the fixture of this is how it is
Begging for ours, conditioned to lose
And the only looming puncture is the slow creep of death
No bang just a wink and 12-hour shifts
Alienation...
Can you reach beyond their terminal beach?
In days of extraction and automated sleep
Can you reach beyond their terminal beach?
Servile and dejected competing for the noose
Taunted by the spinning wheel of insecurity
Dull static, time robbed, strung obsolete
And however shrill the cries you hear
they'll teach you pain is singular
Freedom to move, but always dragged back
Acceptance, resilience or queueing for defeat
ritual indignity just to make ends meet
So expose the hidden truth that this is what we've made
that all can be dismantled and glass stained red
Gut the bosses, build it all again
The lyrics to Bad Breeding's song Arc Eye speak to the experience of feeling alienated and detached from society. The line "alienation: the product of our toil" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The image of two ankles swinging above a dipping floor creates a sense of unease and instability. The singer is suspended in a fixture of "this is how it is," begging for their own life but conditioned to lose. The only imminent danger is the slow creep of death, with no dramatic end.
The song speaks to the workers who are "sterile, exhausted, detached and incomplete" and are trapped by the "terminal beach" of their workplace. The lyrics ask if it's possible to reach beyond this existence, to find something that isn't predetermined by modern-day work-life? The concept of "days of extraction and automated sleep" speaks to the mechanization of society and the idea that many people feel as if they are no longer in control of their own lives.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of hopelessness, with the singer feeling "servile and dejected competing for the noose" while being taunted by a "spinning wheel of insecurity." The lyrics suggest that people are living in a world of "dull static" while time rips away at them, rendering them obsolete. The singer notes that people are taught that pain is singular and that moving towards freedom is difficult. In this state of affairs, one must choose between acceptance, resilience or defiance, so the lyrics suggest. However, the last few lines reveal a sense of hope that "all can be dismantled," and "glass stained red" if one is willing to "gut the bosses."
Line by Line Meaning
Alienation: the product of our toil
The feeling of isolation is caused by our continuous hard work
Two ankles swinging above the dipping floor
Visual of feet dangling while sitting on the edge of a platform
Suspended in the fixture of this is how it is
Trapped in the routine because it's the only option
Begging for ours, conditioned to lose
Longing for what is rightfully ours, but programmed to expect loss
And the only looming puncture is the slow creep of death
Death is the only break from the monotonous cycle of life
No bang just a wink and 12-hour shifts
No dramatic change, just the same work schedule day in and day out
Sterile, exhausted, detached and incomplete
Drained, emotionless, and not living up to full potential
Can you reach beyond their terminal beach?
Can you break free from the limited boundaries set by society?
In days of extraction and automated sleep
Days filled with tiring work and monotonous sleep
Servile and dejected competing for the noose
Feeling subservient and hopeless, thinking death is a better alternative
Taunted by the spinning wheel of insecurity
Being constantly tormented by feelings of uncertainty and fear
Dull static, time robbed, strung obsolete
Time is taken away, and everything feels old and outdated
And however shrill the cries you hear
Despite how loud the protests against the system may be
they'll teach you pain is singular
The oppressors will make it seem like the ones suffering are alone in their pain
Freedom to move, but always dragged back
Having the ability to move forward, but held back by circumstances
Acceptance, resilience or queueing for defeat
The only options are to accept the status quo, persevere through it, or accept defeat
ritual indignity just to make ends meet
Having to go through daily dehumanizing tasks just to survive
So expose the hidden truth that this is what we've made
Revealing the harsh reality that we have created through our actions
that all can be dismantled and glass stained red
Destroying the system and achieving justice
Gut the bosses, build it all again
Overthrowing the leaders who perpetuate and benefit from the oppressive system and rebuilding a fairer one
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Angus Stewart, Ashlea Bennett, Charlie Rose, Christopher Dodd
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind