Watch the Angel Not the Wire
Black Box Recorder Lyrics

The lyrics to Black Box Recorder's song Watch the Angel Not the Wire have a bleak tone that warns of hidden dangers and the need for constant vigilance. The lyrics suggest a fear that what is being presented to people on the surface may be very different from what is going on behind the scenes. With a hypnotic melody and sparse instrumentation, the song creates a sense of isolation and an overwhelming feeling of suspicion, as if the world is constantly deceiving the listener.

The repeated refrain, "Watch the angel, not the wire," emphasizes the importance of focusing on the bigger picture, rather than the details. This means watching the outcome of a situation, rather than the process. It's a metaphor for trusting one's instincts and not getting lost in the minutiae of a situation. The line "Wait for it to snap, see her hit the ground" is a warning that if one becomes too focused on the details, they will miss the bigger picture.

The song appears to criticize the media's use of manipulative techniques to manipulate and misdirect people's attention, which is evident in the line "There are no hidden meanings, no slight of hand, no secret signs". The song encourages the listener to keep an open mind, but to be wary of what is being presented, and to stay focused on the bigger picture.