Mad Max Was an Amateur
Ghost Lyrics


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Raise up the anchors and seal up the cracks

Self hate and microphones, we'll re-trace the maps

A beat up guitar and an amp I got for free

I compile blurred still frames from the blacktop seas


Weary bodies can't rest

We keep on moving



With a ringing in my ears and dust in my blood

With an empty wallet and a hungry soul

I don't have much to show, but I've got some stories to tell



College towns and apartment floors

We repeat nocturnally and leave out the backdoor

We fight like brothers and party like thieves

Excess and irony, alcohol and trees



Weary bodies can't rest

We keep on moving



With a ringing in my ears and dust my blood

With an empty wallet and a hungry soul





I don't have much to show, but I've got some stories to tell

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ghost's song Mad Max Was an Amateur depict the experience of a struggling musician on the road. The song starts with an image of a voyage - to set sail, to leave everything behind and to embark on a journey to explore new territories. The singer reflects on how the journey is rough and perilous, with many cracks to be sealed up and obstacles to be overcome. The image of the "blacktop seas" creates a sense of an endless and unforgiving asphalt landscape, and the "blurry still frames" add a sense of nostalgia and longing.


As the song goes on, the singer describes the life of a wandering musician - poor, restless, and always on the move. He has only a beat-up guitar and an amp he got for free. He spends his days playing in college towns and seedy clubs, crashing on friends' apartment floors, and partying like there's no tomorrow. The singer uses the imagery of a nomadic lifestyle to convey the sense of alienation and instability he feels. He has nothing to show for his efforts, except the stories he carries with him.


The chorus of the song reinforces the idea that his weary body cannot rest and that he must keep on moving. The ringing in his ears and dust in his blood alludes to the hardness of the life he's chosen, and the empty wallet and hungry soul portray the reality of his situation. The singer is not interested in material success, but in the experiences he gathers.


Overall, Mad Max Was an Amateur is a tribute to the restless spirit of the wandering musician, someone who lives life on his terms, refusing to be tied down to the constraints of society. The song celebrates freedom, energy and the courage to pursue one's dreams, no matter how hard the road may be.


Line by Line Meaning

Raise up the anchors and seal up the cracks
Prepare to leave and close all possible routes of escape


Self hate and microphones, we'll re-trace the maps
Using our inner turmoil and music, we'll revisit our past experiences


A beat up guitar and an amp I got for free
I have meager resources to create music with


I compile blurred still frames from the blacktop seas
I gather hazy memories from my travels


Weary bodies can't rest
We are tired from our journey


We keep on moving
Despite being exhausted, we continue onwards


With a ringing in my ears and dust in my blood
My senses are overwhelmed from the harsh environment


With an empty wallet and a hungry soul
I lack material wealth, but have a deep desire for experiences


I don't have much to show, but I've got some stories to tell
Although my possessions are scarce, my experiences are rich


College towns and apartment floors
We frequently stay in student-centered areas and cheap housing


We repeat nocturnally and leave out the backdoor
We party during the night and exit discreetly


We fight like brothers and party like thieves
We have disagreements, but they do not stop us from enjoying ourselves


Excess and irony, alcohol and trees
We indulge in vices and revel in the contradictions of life




Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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