Applause
Gao the Arsonist Lyrics
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Villain looking down at the crowd from the watchtower
Bone to pick, we all his hounds, we his dogs
Our lives is sanitized like antiseptic dousing the gauze, now we're
Gathered underneath the banister at dawn
Attendance checked by the feds, if you absent then you brought up
Kneeling, often squealing, make example of you
Strong-armed
Preach that freedom's being robbed but, who you kidding
Keep my head down so I don't lose it, yeah I choose to fit in
Petty rebel, I hoard colored fabric, shot of booze is hidden
Tucked between the floorboards 'till muster strength for true resistance
Fantasizing that I'll shoot the ruler, prove I'm different
Recoil at the very thought of punishment like Ruger kicking
Pretend butter knives are murder weapons when I use the kitchen
What if I drew pistol, lose my status as a moving piston
Revolt
Cause some
Results
Bravado
Dissolves
I find my own cowardice revolting
It don't even matter 'cos he sit on the throne, iron fist, silver tongue
All the powers of the pulpit
We ain't citizens, we cultists
Passion was assassinated, listen to the culprit speaking
Cope by indulging in lives of alter egos
No libido here
Sulphur breeds the fear
I'm silent
The song "Applause" by Gao the Arsonist paints a vivid picture of a society that is controlled by a powerful and oppressive leader, who is likened to a villain looking down at the crowd from the watchtower. The lyrics suggest that the people are like hounds and dogs, kept in check and sanitized like antiseptic dousing the gauze. They are gathered underneath the banister at dawn, and their attendance is checked by the feds. Those who are absent are brought up and made an example of. The people are forced to kneel, often squealing, while the ruler makes sure everyone is kept in check.
The lyricist describes themselves as a petty rebel, hoarding colored fabric and hiding shots of booze between floorboards until they can muster strength for true resistance. They fantasize about shooting the ruler and proving they are different, but recoil at the very thought of punishment. They pretend that butter knives are murder weapons when using the kitchen and question what would happen if they drew a pistol, losing their status as a moving piston. The lyricist acknowledges their own cowardice and finds it revolting.
Overall, the lyrics of "Applause" criticize a society that is control by a powerful leader, where people are kept in check and their freedom is being robbed. The lyricist describes their desire for rebellion but also acknowledges their own fear and cowardice.
Line by Line Meaning
Give the man a round of applause
Applaud the villainous man up on the watchtower looking down at the crowd
Bone to pick, we all his hounds, we his dogs
We are all under the control of the villain, like obedient dogs with a bone to pick
Our lives is sanitized like antiseptic dousing the gauze, now we're
Our lives have been sterilized and filtered to suit the villain's desires
Gathered underneath the banister at dawn
Assembled in secret in the early hours of the morning
Attendance checked by the feds, if you absent then you brought up
The authorities monitor attendance and absence is met with consequences
Kneeling, often squealing, make example of you
Those who oppose the villain are made into examples and punished severely
Strong-armed
The villain is forcefully maintaining control over his followers
We kept in check but even pawn is a euphemism
We are controlled and manipulated, and even the term 'pawn' is too kind of a descriptor for our current state
Preach that freedom's being robbed but, who you kidding
We hear people speak about the loss of freedom, but it seems like a farce to actually believe it
Keep my head down so I don't lose it, yeah I choose to fit in
In order to avoid punishment, I choose to conform and avoid raising suspicions
Petty rebel, I hoard colored fabric, shot of booze is hidden
I resort to small acts of rebellion such as collecting colorful fabric and hiding alcohol
Tucked between the floorboards 'till muster strength for true resistance
The items I've hidden away will be used when I am brave enough for real resistance
Fantasizing that I'll shoot the ruler, prove I'm different
I dream of taking down the villainous leader in order to prove my individuality and dissent
Recoil at the very thought of punishment like Ruger kicking
I fear punishment from the villain so much that I am afraid to even think about it
Pretend butter knives are murder weapons when I use the kitchen
I am so paranoid about the villain that I see ordinary objects as potential weapons
What if I drew pistol, lose my status as a moving piston
I consider the idea of using a gun, but worry about losing my current position of relative safety and cooperation
Revolt
The idea of rebellion and resistance starts to grow within me
Cause some
I want to provoke some kind of action against the villain
Results
I hope that my actions will bring about some sort of change for the better
Bravado
I try to project confidence and courage, despite feeling fearful and cowardly
Dissolves
My confidence fades away
I find my own cowardice revolting
I am disgusted with myself for feeling so afraid and submissive to the villain
It don't even matter 'cos he sit on the throne, iron fist, silver tongue
The villain's power seems absolute and unchallengeable, with his control over both the physical force and public opinion
All the powers of the pulpit
The villain has an overwhelming influence and control over people's beliefs and attitudes
We ain't citizens, we cultists
People are no longer citizens of a democratic society, they are like members of a cult under the hypnotic influence of the villain
Passion was assassinated, listen to the culprit speaking
The villain has killed any passion or hope in people, and it is his voice that dominates
Cope by indulging in lives of alter egos
People try to escape their reality by adopting different personas and alternate lives
No libido here
There is no desire or excitement left for life
Sulphur breeds the fear
There is a suffocating sense of danger and terror in everyday life
I'm silent
Despite the turmoil and oppression, I remain silent and submissive to the villain's control
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Othneil Gayle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind