The band is known for their lyrics, which often make strong social and political statements, dealing with themes such as anti-consumerism, vegetarianism, questioning of the status quo, and the general encouragement of people to get along with one another.
It is rumored that the band Citizen Dick from the movie Singles is an homage to Citizen Fish and its lead singer.
In 2006 they toured with and recorded a split LP with punk band Leftöver Crack. This was the first Fish activity in recent years, as the members have been concentrating on Subhumans activity as of late (they did do a small East Coast/Midwest U.S. tour consisting of off-the-map bars and basements in the summer of 2005, much to the delight of dedicated fans).
Digging A Hole
Citizen Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heard before in wooden rooms
Hatred of authority begins with
Doing what you're told to do
When advice replaces orders
Hatred slowly turns to caution
Caution fades with interaction
Agreement - repetition - slogan
Waving slightly the banner cries
'There's no room left to advertise
Nothing left to advertise'
In all direction seeing signs
Of struggles lost to compromise
Sometimes it seems like the problem's
So deep that the digging's getting nowhere
Sometimes we have to find solutions
No more distractions
We're digging a hole
Just to make sure
Just to make sure
We're digging a hole
Just to make sure
Just to make sure
We're digging a hole
Has it got to the point where the problems are gone to the surface once dug up and revealed?
Are they so in our face that they've come to replace the things that we used to call 'real'?
Has it got to the point where the problems are gone because they got questioned and discussed?
Has it really all changed for the better these days? Imagine a 'Veggies'R'us'
Acceptance is static retention
Of orders delivered on masse
We put ourselves outside the picture
But still sit reflecting on glass
So when the institutions call
Check your conscience before you open the door
Be happy knowing who you are
And still digging holes
Just to make sure
Just to make sure
We know what we're talking about
We're still digging holes
Just to make sure
Just to make sure
We know what we found down here
Still digging holes
Still digging holes
The song "Digging a Hole" by Citizen Fish is a commentary on society's tendency to blindly follow authority without question. The first verse speaks about how initially following orders leads to hatred towards authority, but as advice replaces orders, the hatred fades into caution and eventually agreement, repetition and slogan. The banner waving in the chorus is crying out that there is nothing left to advertise because we have compromised so much in our struggles. The second verse questions whether the problems we face today are actually better or worse than they used to be, and urges us to check our conscience before blindly following institutions. The repetition of "we're digging a hole just to make sure" reinforces the idea that we need to keep questioning and digging deep to truly understand and solve the issues we face.
Line by Line Meaning
Settle back and take a viewpoint
Take a step back from your situation and consider it from a new perspective
Heard before in wooden rooms
This view has been expressed many times in past conversations
Hatred of authority begins with Doing what you're told to do
Disdain for those in charge starts when people feel forced to comply with orders
When advice replaces orders
If authority figures give guidance instead of commands, resentment can be eased
Hatred slowly turns to caution
The more someone dislikes authority, the more wary they'll become
Caution fades with interaction
However, hesitancy will become less powerful over time through conversation
Agreement - repetition - slogan
Constant repetition of a rallying cry by a group will eventually lead to conformity
Waving slightly the banner cries 'There's no room left to advertise Nothing left to advertise'
The flag hangs limp because there's nothing more to announce, all causes have been exposed
In all direction seeing signs Of struggles lost to compromise
Everywhere you look, there are hints of successful battles lost to concession
Sometimes it seems like the problem's So deep that the digging's getting nowhere
Problems can appear insurmountable when you're not making visible progress
Sometimes we have to find solutions No more distractions
At times, we must seek ways to move forward without distraction from other matters
We're digging a hole Just to make sure Just to make sure We're digging a hole Just to make sure Just to make sure We're digging a hole
We're taking steps to make sure we're proceeding with purpose, and to confirm that we're on the right path
Has it got to the point where the problems are gone to the surface once dug up and revealed?
Has the problem become so noticeable after being exposed?
Are they so in our face that they've come to replace the things that we used to call 'real'?
Have the issues overwhelmed the surroundings that were once familiar?
Has it got to the point where the problems are gone because they got questioned and discussed?
Have the problems subsided because people questioned and talked about them?
Has it really all changed for the better these days? Imagine a 'Veggies'R'us'
Is it true that things have improved? Picture a meat-free restaurant chain as a sign of that advancement
Acceptance is static retention Of orders delivered on masse
Acceptance of rules occurs when they're enforced in a highly structured manner
We put ourselves outside the picture But still sit reflecting on glass
We may choose not to participate in the action, but still observe the drama unfolding
So when the institutions call Check your conscience before you open the door
Before you act on behalf of a specific organization, ask yourself if it matches your principles
Be happy knowing who you are And still digging holes Just to make sure Just to make sure We know what we're talking about We're still digging holes Just to make sure Just to make sure We know what we found down here Still digging holes Still digging holes
Stay true to yourself while continuing to explore uncharted areas, making sure of all the facts, and searching for the true meaning
Contributed by Eli Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.