It’s no secret that the landscape of Birds of Tokyo’s home of Western Australia; a desert-like state so vast and unforgiving that to provide it with a soundtrack requires a higher level of grandeur and majesty one would ever dare associate with the ‘pop’ music tag.
But, down to its bones, pop music is what Birds of Tokyo write… they just layer those bones in muscle, and give the beast a heart.
Beautifully expressive in its texture, yet thick and rich in its deceptive simplicity; Birds Of Tokyo’s music is universal and incredibly humanistic. In what could be described as the blink of an eye, the band have struck a nerve in their homeland, giving way to an unprecedented rise to popularity, but it is in their blossoming international recognition can be seen the band’s true strength and ability to connect with people.
Armour For Liars
Birds of Tokyo Lyrics
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Silent, we keep it silent, no need to share
At all
Lately, things have been changing but nobody cares
Save it, for someone who'll use it, not those with deaf ears
When did you notice something wrong here?
So what are we doing? When will we make a change
Or we lose what we once owned
Hey kid, run on home again
No world news to sell again
Hate yourself, sorry but you're responsible
I would hate myself, knowing that I'm responsible
Flowing blood for wealth and oil, the arms race and their toys
Power suits and power ties, corporate armour built for liars
And when did you notice something wrong here?
When nobody listens and none of us care
What are you doing? When will we make a change
Or we lose what we once owned
Hey kid, run on home again
No world news to sell again
The opening verse of Birds of Tokyo's song "Armour For Liars" speaks about driving aimlessly, keeping silent, and not sharing anything. The lyrics illustrate a sense of numbness or indifference to the world around them. The second line suggests that whatever is happening in their lives is not significant enough to discuss or share with others. The standout line of the chorus, "when did you notice something wrong here?" speaks to the idea of apathy and the consequences of inaction. The lyrics suggest that a problem exists, but nobody seems to care enough to address it. This theme continues with the second verse, which references the harms caused by greed and the pursuit of power.
The bridge of the song speaks to the notion of personal responsibility in creating change. The lyrics implore the listener to take responsibility for their actions, acknowledging that they too would hate themselves if they played a part in the world's problems. The final chorus asks a poignant question, "What are you doing? When will we make a change, or we lose what we once owned." This reinforces the idea that if we don't take action, we run the risk of losing the things we hold dear.
Overall, "Armour For Liars" is a call to action for anyone who feels disillusioned with the world around them. It is a reminder that we all have a responsibility to create change and do our part to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving, we keep on driving, going nowhere
We continue on our current path without making any real progress or direction.
Silent, we keep it silent, no need to share
We refrain from communicating our thoughts and feelings because we feel it's unnecessary.
Lately, things have been changing but nobody cares
Important changes are happening, but no one seems to be paying attention or taking action.
Save it, for someone who'll use it, not those with deaf ears
Our message won't resonate with those who refuse to listen, so we need to find an audience that's receptive to our ideas.
When did you notice something wrong here?
At what point did you realize that something was amiss?
When nobody listens and none of us care
Our collective apathy and lack of attention is part of the problem.
So what are we doing? When will we make a change
We need to take action and make changes to ensure that we don't continue down this path of inaction and complacency.
Or we lose what we once owned
If we fail to take action, we risk losing what we cherish and value most.
Hey kid, run on home again
Young people are often dismissed or not taken seriously, even when they have valid concerns and ideas.
No world news to sell again
The media often sensationalizes news without offering real solutions or positive stories.
Hate yourself, sorry but you're responsible
We must accept responsibility for our actions and the impact they have on others.
I would hate myself, knowing that I'm responsible
The singer acknowledges that they wouldn't be able to cope with the guilt of causing harm to others.
Flowing blood for wealth and oil, the arms race and their toys
The pursuit of wealth and power at the expense of human lives and the environment is an ongoing concern for society.
Power suits and power ties, corporate armour built for liars
The clothing choices of those in power may serve as a facade for their true intentions and lack of transparency.
What are you doing? When will we make a change
We must question our own actions, and ask ourselves when we will start making a meaningful impact on the world.
Or we lose what we once owned
Inaction will inevitably lead to loss and missed opportunities.
Hey kid, run on home again
The repeated use of this lyric highlights the persistent dismissal of young people's voices and ideas.
No world news to sell again
The media's failure to provide balanced and positive news coverage continues to be a problem.
Lyrics © MUSHROOM MUSIC PTY LTD, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: ANTHONY JOHN T JACKSON, IAN LEWIS KENNY, ADAM JOHN SPARK, ADAM PETER WESTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind