Living Hell
Bitter End Lyrics


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Is this life or is this death?
Well, just what makes you think it's all for the best?
Do you care, can you feel the pain?
Two billion people being starved for your gain

It seems that growth never keeps us with need
Too many mothers got too many mouths to feed
Damned if we do, we'll be damned if we don't
Things have to change and we all know that they won't

Will things get better?
Well, who can tell?
But if this is Heaven
Then show me Hell!

Build swords from plowshares, squeeze blood from a stone
And when they've used you, you'll be left on your own!
There seems no hope as we race towards the fall
The war machine will consume us all

Violence and bloodshed, the folly of man
They call it progress, I call it a scam
Push blindly forward without asking why
The rich gets richer, the poor can all die!

Will things get better?
Well, who can tell?
But if this is Heaven
Then show me Hell!

Show me Hell!

Show me Hell!

Is this life or is this death?
Well, just what makes you think it's all for the best?
Do you care, can you feel the pain?
Two billion people being starved for your gain

It seems that growth never keeps us with need
Too many mothers got too many mouths to feed
Damned if we do, we're gonna be fucked if we don't
Things have to change and we all know that they won't





Know they won't, they won't, they won't, they won't

Overall Meaning

Bitter End's song "Living Hell" is a powerful indictment of modern society's greed and disregard for the suffering of others. The song begins with the questions: "Is this life or is this death? Well, just what makes you think it's all for the best?" These lines set the tone for the song, which goes on to describe a world that is full of pain, suffering, and injustice.


The lyrics describe the plight of "two billion people being starved for your gain," which is a clear reference to the fact that many people in the developed world consume resources at the expense of those in poorer countries. Bitter End critiques this state of affairs, suggesting that "growth never keeps us with need." In other words, even as the world's population grows, there are still too many people who are hungry, homeless, and without access to basic resources like clean water and medical care.


The song's refrain, "Will things get better? Well, who can tell? But if this is Heaven, then show me Hell!" is a powerful statement of despair and disillusionment. Bitter End suggest that, despite our best efforts, the world is still headed in the wrong direction. The song ends with a repetition of the opening lines: "Is this life or is this death? Well, just what makes you think it's all for the best?" This repetition underscores the idea that the problems of the world are not going away anytime soon.


Overall, "Living Hell" is a powerful commentary on modern society's failings. The song suggests that we need to do better if we want to create a world that is fair, just, and compassionate.


Line by Line Meaning

Is this life or is this death?
Are we truly living or just existing in a painful, meaningless state?


Well, just what makes you think it's all for the best?
What evidence is there that the current state of things is optimal or ideal?


Do you care, can you feel the pain?
Are you aware of the immense suffering around you and does it affect you emotionally?


Two billion people being starved for your gain
The wealth and comfort of a privileged few is directly causing the starvation and suffering of billions of people.


It seems that growth never keeps us with need
Despite increased productivity and advancements, basic needs such as food and shelter continue to be a struggle for many.


Too many mothers got too many mouths to feed
Families are struggling to provide for their children and the burden of responsibility is overwhelming.


Damned if we do, we'll be damned if we don't
Regardless of what actions we take, the outcome will result in negative consequences.


Things have to change and we all know that they won't
Although it's necessary for things to improve, the chances of significant change occurring are slim.


Will things get better?
Is there hope for improvement?


Well, who can tell?
There's no way to know for certain if things will improve or remain the same.


But if this is Heaven
If this is the best of all worlds,


Then show me Hell!
The current reality is already unbearable, so the alternative must be even worse.


Build swords from plowshares, squeeze blood from a stone
Natural resources are exploited and turned into weapons of war, causing destruction and suffering.


And when they've used you, you'll be left on your own!
Once your usefulness has expired, you'll be abandoned and forgotten.


There seems no hope as we race towards the fall
Humanity is headed towards an inevitable collapse or downfall without any meaningful efforts to change this course.


The war machine will consume us all
The destructive and violent nature of war will ultimately destroy us.


Violence and bloodshed, the folly of man
Despite our supposed intelligence and advancements, humans continue to engage in brutal and violent behavior.


They call it progress, I call it a scam
The idea that advancements are leading to a better world is a deceitful lie.


Push blindly forward without asking why
We continue to advance without questioning why or considering the consequences of our actions.


The rich gets richer, the poor can all die!
The unequal distribution of resources and wealth leads to the suffering and death of those who are impoverished.


Know they won't, they won't, they won't, they won't
Despite knowing the need for change, the likelihood of it happening is extremely low.




Contributed by Aaron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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