Steam
Gabriel (Peter) Lyrics

Stand back!
Warning or cautionary statement to the listener to step away from something or to be prepared for something unexpected.

What are those dogs doing sniffing at my feet?
Asking why someone is suspicious and investigating something the singer is doing.

They're on to something, picking up, picking up this heat, this heat.
The dogs are sensing something, sensing heat that the singer is giving off in terms of energy or passion.

Give me steam and how you feel to make it real, real as anything you've seen.
Asking for a burst of energy or passion to bring a dream to life and make it as vivid and tangible as anything one has ever experienced.

Get a life with this dreamer's dream.
Inviting the listener to take part in the dream and make it a reality for themselves.

You know your culture from your trash, you know your plastic from your cash.
Acknowledging the listener's astute ability to differentiate between what is of value and what is not in terms of cultural and material possessions.

When I lose sight of the track, you know the way back, but I know you.
Recognizing that the listener has the ability to guide the singer back on track when they are lost, but also being aware of the listener's flaws and limitations.

You know your stripper from your paint, you know your sinner from your saint.
Acknowledging the listener's perceptiveness in discerning between people and things that have different qualities or qualities that are not immediately obvious.

Whenever heaven's doors are shut, you kick them open but I know you.
Recognizing the listener's perseverance and resilience when faced with challenges or obstacles but also acknowledging that the singer knows them and their true character.

Can't you see I've lost control, I'm getting indiscreet. You're moving in so close 'til I'm picking up, picking up this heat, this heat.
Admitting that the singer is losing control and acting indiscreetly, becoming easily emotional or excited. The listener is approaching or becoming involved, causing the singer to feel even more passionate about their cause.

You know your green from your red, you know the quick from the dead. So much better than the rest, you think you've been blessed, but I know you.
Again acknowledging the listener's perceptiveness in seeing differences and qualities that others may not, but also implying that the listener may have an overinflated sense of self-assuredness that the singer sees through.

You know your ladder from your snake, you know the throttle from the brake. You know your straight line from a curve, you've got a lot of nerve, but I know you.
Further elaborating on the listener's ability to discern but also pointing out their bold and daring nature that makes them stand out, but again recognizing that the singer knows them through and through.

Everybody nosedive, hold your breath, count to five. Back-slap, booby-trap, cover it up in bubble wrap. Room shake, earthquake, find a way to stay awake. It's going to blow, it's going to break, this is more than I can take.
Describing a chaotic and confusing situation where everything is overwhelming and it feels like the world is about to end. The singer urges everyone to take precautions and brace themselves because something massive is going to happen.

Oh yeah, I need steam. Feel the steam all around me. Ahh, you're turning up the heat. When I start to dream aloud, see you move your hands and feet. Won't you step into this cloud of steam, this steam.
Repeating the request for steam or energy to fuel the singer's passion and urging the listener to become fully involved and work alongside the singer as a dynamic duo, getting lost together in a shared dream or passion.

Help me yeah, ready to steam out the log jam. Stir crazy from the freezer to the boil. Water's bubbling, it's b-b-b-bubbling, bubbling. Like it's coming to a boil. Give me steam, lady. Give me steam around me now. Ahh, coming alive. Said give me some steam.
Reiterating the need for steam, asking for help or assistance to break through a blockage and jumpstart a process that feels stagnant. The boiling water symbolizes an overflow of energy and ideas ready to burst forth. The singer is asking for more steam or passion to be directed towards them to keep the momentum going.