Watchtower
Devlin Lyrics

There must be some kind of way out of here
The world is filled with confusion and chaos, and the singer is looking for a way to escape it.

Said the joker to the thief, yeah
The singer is using these archetypal characters to represent the different aspects of himself and society as a whole.

There's too much confusion
The world is complex and hard to understand, and people struggle to find their place within it.

Mmm, I can't get no relief, woo
Despite the artist's desire to escape the chaos of the world, he feels trapped and unable to find any respite.

Business men, they drink my wine
The wealthy and powerful take what the artist has worked for, leaving him with little to show for his efforts.

Plowmen dig my earth
The working class labor to produce the resources that the wealthy exploit for their own gain.

None will level on the line
There is a stark imbalance of power in the world, and it's hard for ordinary people to get ahead.

No one uttered his word
Despite the problems facing society, no one is speaking up to address them.

I see jokers on my left, thieves up on my right
The artist sees these archetypal characters playing out in the world around him, constantly reminding him of the chaos and conflict that exists.

You'd find me in the middle if I picked a different life
The artist recognizes that his own choices have led him into conflict and confusion, and that there may have been another path he could have taken.

Before my name started tripling in size
The singer has become more famous and successful, but this has come at a cost to his own well-being and sense of self.

But I'm still showing signs all attributed to mine
Despite his success, the artist is still affected by the struggles he's faced and the damage that's been done to him.

In the pitch black, it's too cold
The world is a dark and unforgiving place, where people are forced to struggle and survive against all odds.

I'm all alone, take me back to the roads
The singer longs for a simpler time when he wasn't burdened by his own fame and the complexities of his current life.

I had to roam to get here and I'll hitch back
The singer has had to travel a difficult path to get where he is now, and is willing to return to his roots to find some sense of peace and meaning.

Get a cab to my mother's house
The artist is looking for a place of comfort and support in his mother's home, where he can forget about the stresses of his life for a while.

See my old man and grab a six pack
The artist is seeking solace and companionship in the company of his family, sharing a drink and reminiscing about old times.

Tell my brother I love him
The singer wants to express his love and appreciation for his sibling, who has been a constant source of support and strength for him.

And give him something that will see him through the hard times
The singer wants to offer his brother something that will help him cope with the challenges he'll face in the future, just as his brother has helped him in the past.

What's a brother for?
The artist is reflecting on the importance of family and siblinghood, acknowledging the support and love that comes with it.

When I'm sick of this life I see
The artist is feeling disillusioned with the life he's living, and is looking for a way out of the chaos and confusion.

It has to be my family who lift me off the floor
The artist knows that even in his lowest moments, his family will be there to help him rise back up.

Make sense of all the madness
The singer is looking for a way to make sense of the confusion and chaos he sees in the world around him.

In a world full of money, full of tears, full of war
The world is a place of conflict and struggle, marked by greed, sadness, and violence.

I was a plowman and worked from the earth up
The singer started from humble beginnings, working hard to eke out a living from the land.

Save your wine for the entrepreneurs
The wealthy and powerful are the ones who benefit most from society's resources, and the singer sees no point in wasting his own energy on them.

Well, all along the watchtower (watchtower)
The singer is invoking the image of a watchtower, a symbol of vigilance and protection, to express his desire for safety and security.

Princes kept the view (view)
The people in power are watching over the world, but they may not be protecting the most vulnerable.

While all the women came and went (and went)
Women are being used and exploited, treated as disposable objects rather than valued members of society.

Barefoot servants too, yeah
Even the poorest and most vulnerable members of society are being exploited and used by those in power.

Outside in the cold distance (cold distance)
The world is a harsh and unforgiving place, where people must struggle to survive against all odds.

A wildcat did growl (like a plowman, I work from the earth up)
The artist is continuing to draw parallels between himself and the image of a plowman, someone who must work hard to extract resources from the land.

Two riders were approaching (were approaching)
Change is coming, and the artist can sense that something important is about to happen.

And the wind begins to howl ('cause your world is the same as mine)
The artist is emphasizing the idea that everyone in the world is struggling with the same problems and facing the same challenges.

Take away the treasure of a man
The singer is suggesting that people are defined by more than just their material wealth and possessions.

Convinced that he holds heaven in his hands
People often place too much importance on material possessions, believing that they will bring them happiness and fulfillment.

Even though I ain't religious, I'm a little superstitious
The singer is acknowledging the importance of belief and faith, even if he doesn't subscribe to any particular religion himself.

Maybe there is a promised land
The singer is reflecting on the idea that there may be some higher purpose or goal that he's striving towards.

But will I make it or not's a different matter
The singer is uncertain about his chances of success, despite his ambitions and goals.

I've been a joker, I've been a thief, I've been a rapper
The artist is reflecting on the different roles and identities he's taken on over the course of his life.

I've been the only enemy that I can never beat
The artist sees himself as his own worst enemy, always struggling against his own doubts and fears.

Give me a piece of mind upon a platinum platter
The singer is asking for some kind of relief or escape from his own troubled thoughts, even if it means something as materialistic as a platinum platter.

Set, jump into the bass line
The singer is calling on listeners to immerse themselves in the music and find some kind of escape or release from their troubles.

One (one, one)
The artist is counting down to a musical transition or breakdown, urging listeners to get ready for something exciting.

Check (check, check, check)
The artist is calling for a sound check, ensuring that everything is in order and ready for the music to begin.

Bottoms up
The artist is calling for a toast or a celebration, encouraging listeners to enjoy themselves and let loose.

On the level, on the line
The singer is emphasizing the importance of honesty and authenticity, urging listeners to be true to themselves and their beliefs.