Hangman
Bear On Bear Lyrics


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You aim for the bullseye
Shoot your foot
Blame the gun and those Washington fucks
Thinking that you got it figured out:
Put your sneaker in the crosshair
Let the hammer slam down

A game of hangman seems fun
Till you’re the one suspended
Stigmatized, losing blood
Running out of guesses

Is everything upside down
Or is that just you?
These days it seems you’re fucked
No matter what you do
Wired to give up
When the answer’s on the tip of your tongue

You cock your ear to hear the words
Resound from god’s paternal mouth
Blooming the knots open like flowers
While out the window
Towers hang over a bottomless sky
Babels descending into hell
This time confusion just propels our progress

Not your problem
Far from a fix




You’re busy pinpointing
Where gold turns to shit

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bear On Bear's song "Hangman" depict a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the world and the systems that govern it. The opening lines, "You aim for the bullseye, Shoot your foot, Blame the gun and those Washington fucks," suggest a tendency to self-sabotage and lay blame on external forces instead of taking responsibility for one's own actions.


The following lines, "Thinking that you got it figured out: Put your sneaker in the crosshair, Let the hammer slam down," can be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of the consequences of one's misguided actions. It implies that when one believes they have everything under control and deliberately places themselves in a vulnerable position, they are destined for inevitable destruction and suffering.


The lyrics then shift to the metaphor of a "game of hangman," symbolizing the feeling of being trapped, stigmatized, and losing hope. The lines, "Is everything upside down? Or is that just you? These days it seems you're fucked, No matter what you do," reflect a sense of despair and a perception that the world is against them, regardless of their efforts.


The next paragraph delves into a deeper introspection on the nature of existence and personal struggles. The line, "Wired to give up when the answer's on the tip of your tongue," suggests a self-defeating mentality, where despite having the solution or knowledge within reach, the individual is prone to resignation and defeatism.


The following lines explore the idea of seeking guidance or answers from a higher power, personified as "god's paternal mouth." However, this search for meaning and clarity is juxtaposed with a chaotic, foreboding image of "Babels descending into hell" and "towers hanging over a bottomless sky." This contrast highlights the theme of confusion and the struggle to find purpose or direction in a world that often feels destabilizing.


The concluding lines, "Not your problem, Far from a fix, You're busy pinpointing Where gold turns to shit," suggest a jaded perspective on life and an avoidance of personal accountability. It implies a preoccupation with pointing out flaws in others or societal systems, while disregarding one's own contribution to the problems at hand.


Overall, the lyrics of "Hangman" delve into themes of self-sabotage, disillusionment, and the struggle to find purpose and meaning in a confusing and unsatisfying world. It portrays a sense of frustration with external forces and an inclination to blame others, rather than taking responsibility and seeking personal growth.


Line by Line Meaning

You aim for the bullseye
You strive for perfection or success


Shoot your foot
To make a mistake that harms yourself


Blame the gun and those Washington fucks
Attributing your mistakes or failures to external factors or people in power


Thinking that you got it figured out
Believing that you have everything under control


Put your sneaker in the crosshair
Placing yourself in a risky or dangerous position


Let the hammer slam down
Letting the consequences of your actions hit you


A game of hangman seems fun
Initially, the situation or challenge may appear enjoyable or entertaining


Till you’re the one suspended
Until you find yourself in a difficult or precarious situation


Stigmatized, losing blood
Feeling judged or criticized, experiencing a gradual decline or loss


Running out of guesses
Running out of ideas or solutions


Is everything upside down
Is everything chaotic or confusing


Or is that just you?
Or is it just your perception or reality


These days it seems you’re fucked
Lately, it feels like you are in a difficult or unfavorable situation


No matter what you do
Regardless of your efforts or actions


Wired to give up
Inclined or predisposed to surrender or quit


When the answer’s on the tip of your tongue
When you know the solution or answer but are unable to express it


You cock your ear to hear the words
You eagerly listen to hear the instructions or guidance


Resound from god’s paternal mouth
Echo or emanate from a divine or authoritative source


Blooming the knots open like flowers
Unraveling or untangling complex or confusing situations


While out the window
Looking outside or observing


Towers hang over a bottomless sky
Tall structures loom above an infinite or boundless space


Babels descending into hell
The confusion of different languages or voices descending into chaos or turmoil


This time confusion just propels our progress
Paradoxically, confusion advances or drives our development


Not your problem
Not your responsibility or concern


Far from a fix
The situation is nowhere near being resolved


You’re busy pinpointing
You are occupied with identifying or analyzing


Where gold turns to shit
Identifying the moment when something valuable or promising becomes worthless or disappointing




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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