Why Are We Here
Black and Schwarz Lyrics
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Desperate as a dog. Angsty. Shaky
Drinking all the coffee. To function. Maybe
White noise in my head. Or is that praying
I burned out with the rest. Is there salvation
Intentions without fear. Bullets. Aiming
What is it we do again
What are we doing this for
What is it we do again
Knowledge is a burden. It's logic undressing
When you find the cure. Existential impression
Diagnosis in my head. Manic depressive
Running for no cause. Collapsing message
Say it how you like- that sweet leverage
Truth is breaking through. Systemic hemorrhage
What is it we do again
What we are doing here
What are we doing this for
What is it we do again
Ant in the machine. Armies marching
Effective to a fault. The truth is starving
They tell us we are free then call us target markets
looking through the smoke. Questions harbored
What is it we do again
Systemic hemorrhage
What we are doing here
Systemic hemorrhage
What are we doing this for
Systemic hemorrhage
What is it we do again
In "Why Are We Here," Black and Schwarz paint a bleak picture of modern society and its discontents. The singer has "had a bad reaction to music lately," emblematic of a broader malaise that affects everything: "Desperate as a dog. Angsty. Shaky." They try to cope by drinking coffee, but it only helps them function, maybe. The white noise in their head is either the sound of the world or the sound of their own prayers, a distinction that blurs the line between the interior and exterior worlds. They feel burned out and wonder if there is any hope for salvation. They have intentions but worry they are only bullets, aiming at nothing. The central question of the song is asked over and over: "What is it we do again?"
The lyrics suggest a sense of futility and existential crisis. Knowledge is a burden, logic is stripping us bare, and even finding a cure can be an "existential impression" that ultimately leaves us feeling drained and lost. The diagnosis in the singer's head is "manic depressive" and they run for no cause, collapsing under the weight of their message. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the "sweet leverage" of saying it how you like. Truth is breaking through, even if it's a systemic hemorrhage, and there is a sense that the singer may be coming to terms with their place in the world, even if it's not clear what that place is.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had a bad reaction to music lately
I'm feeling angsty and unstable, and even music is bothering me
Drinking all the coffee. To function. Maybe
I need caffeine just to keep going, but it might not even help
White noise in my head. Or is that praying
I can't even think straight anymore, and I'm not sure if I'm hearing voices or just losing my mind
Intentions without fear. Bullets. Aiming
I'm trying to stay focused on my goals without being scared, but it feels like I'm facing a firing squad
What is it we do again
I'm questioning the purpose of everything we're doing
Knowledge is a burden. It's logic undressing
Understanding the truth can be painful and take away the security of ignorance
When you find the cure. Existential impression
If you discover the answer to a problem, it can make you question your own existence
Diagnosis in my head. Manic depressive
I'm dealing with a serious mental health issue that affects my moods and energy levels
Running for no cause. Collapsing message
I'm trying to make progress, but it feels like there's no point and everything is falling apart
Say it how you like- that sweet leverage
People can spin things in different ways to their advantage
Truth is breaking through. Systemic hemorrhage
The reality of our situation is becoming clear, and it's causing a major crisis
Ant in the machine. Armies marching
I feel small and insignificant in a world that's driven by powerful forces and institutions
Effective to a fault. The truth is starving
Efficiency and practicality can sometimes override what's right, and cause people to ignore uncomfortable truths
They tell us we are free then call us target markets
We're given an illusion of choice and autonomy, but really we're just being manipulated as consumers
looking through the smoke. Questions harbored
We need to see through the lies and propaganda to ask tough questions and seek the truth
Systemic hemorrhage
The systems we rely on are breaking down and causing chaos
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: KERRY KURT PHILLIPS, JAMIE TEACHENOR, BLAKE WISE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind