Devastation
Besnard Lakes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They won't play the song on the radio
The war is being played out
On our televisions
One stare, the drug of the nation
The cultural enriching now begins

Like a nation, like a nation

Your remaining people have no
Trenches left from which to fight

The rich; the nation hold their guns
Will rich buy back the mayhem?
While they're moving you're an owl
There's a devil flying overhead
What a fucking pile of shit

Devastation, devastation

Overall Meaning

The song "Devastation" by Besnard Lakes expresses a deep sense of despair and frustration about the state of the world. The opening line, "They won't play the song on the radio," suggests that there are powerful forces at work that are suppressing voices of dissent and preventing the truth from being heard. The next line, "The war is being played out on our televisions," suggests that we are living in a time of great conflict and upheaval, and that our perceptions of reality are being shaped by the media.

The chorus of the song consists of the repeated phrase "devastation," which captures the bleak mood of the lyrics. The line "One stare, the drug of the nation" suggests that we are becoming increasingly numb to the suffering and violence around us, and that we are addicted to the spectacle of it all. The lines "Your remaining people have no trenches left from which to fight" and "The rich; the nation hold their guns" suggest that the powers that be are using their wealth and influence to maintain control, while the rest of us are left to suffer the consequences.

The song ends with the line "What a fucking pile of shit," which reflects the singer's frustration and anger at the state of the world. Overall, "Devastation" is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the state of society and the human condition.

Line by Line Meaning

They won't play the song on the radio
Despite the devastation of war and the impending cultural impoverishment, the media refuses to broadcast any message that may criticize the establishment or disrupt their agenda.

The war is being played out
The violence and aggression that the nation is perpetrating is being perpetuated on a world stage, for all to see and be affected by.

On our televisions
The violence and propaganda of war is being broadcasted on television, making it a ubiquitous element in society's psyche.

One stare, the drug of the nation
The passivity in society and their acceptance of the status quo is like a drug, holding the nation down and preventing them from taking any meaningful action.

The cultural enriching now begins
The light that once represented the cultural diversity and embrace of different lifestyles has now been replaced with a darkness that punishes deviance and rewards conformity.

Like a nation, like a nation
The country has now become a monolithic entity, moving forward like a machine, with little regard for individuality or unique expression.

Your remaining people have no Trenches left from which to fight
The common people have no means to resist the oppressive forces of their government, as their last bastions of hope have been depleted or destroyed.

The rich; the nation hold their guns
The wealthy elite are the true rulers of the nation, wielding incredible power that allows them to make or break anyone that opposes them.

Will rich buy back the mayhem?
The wealthy few may seek to 'buy back' the equivalent of peace or stability, but their attempts will always be insufficient due to the damage and chaos that they themselves have caused.

While they're moving you're an owl
As the powerful continue to advance their agenda, the common people are forced to retreat and hide, akin to an owl watching from afar for survival.

There's a devil flying overhead
The oppressive and malevolent forces that control the society are always present, represented by a devilish entity that seeks to drag humanity down into darkness.

What a fucking pile of shit
This world is a horrible, bleak place that has been created as a result of all the greed, apathy, and cruelty inherent in humanity.

Devastation, devastation
The destruction and utter suffering caused by humanity will continue unabated, leading to an eventual collapse of everything that the world has built up so far.

Contributed by Nicholas E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS